Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-01-05
A MASQUERADE.

OF sugar to the cockatoo.
Quite So," was the reply, and he care
fully gathered in a loose leaf OF his
cigar. Then, after a pause: And yet,
why so? It's very pretty world one
way and an other"
Yes, its pretty world at times"
At that moment they were both look
Ing out over part of the world as the
Nindobar plains, and it was handsome
to the eye. AS far as could be seen was
a carpet of flowers under soft sunset.
The homestead by which they sat
was in a wilderness of blossoms. To
the left was high rose colored hill,
solemn and mysterious; to the right
far off-a forest Of gum ress, pink and
purple against the horizon. At their
feet beyond the veranda, was a garden
JoyouslS brilliant, and bright plumaged
birds fitted back and forth.
The two looked out for long time
then, as if by a mutual impulse, sudden
ly turned their eyes on each other. They
smiled, and somehow that smile was not
delightful to see. The girl said present
iy, 1T is all on the surface"
You mean that the beautiful birds
have dreadful voices; that the flowers
are scentless; that he leaves of the
trees are all on edge and give no shade;
that where that beautiful carpet of bios
SONS is there was a blazing quartz plain
six months ago, and there's likely to be
the same again-that, in brief, it's pref
ty, but hollow" He made a slight,
fantastic gesture, as though hooking
himself for so long a speech, and added,
Really, | didn't prepare this little ora
tiOn.''
She nodded and then said, ooh, it's
not so hollow-you would not call it
that exactly-but unsatisfactory"
You have lost your illusions, Miss
Ashforth."
And before that occurred you had
lost yours Mr.. Tom Sherman"
DO | betray it, then?' He laughed
not at all bitterly, yet not with singular
cheerfulness.
And do you thing that you are poss-
essed of such acuteness, then, and T.
She paused, raised her eyebrows little
cOldly and let the cOckatOo bite her
finger.
Il did not mean to be eg)tistical, be-
lieVe me. The fact is | live my life
alone, and | never hear any remarks
upon myself. / was interested for the
moment in knowing something of how
appeared to others. You and l have
been tolerably candid with each other
since we met, for the first time, three
days ago. l know you would not hest
tate to say what was in your mind, and
,CIy M %
fancies one hides ones self, and yet
you seer
You are forgiven of course Do you
find it pleasant then to be Cd 1did and
free with some one"
why with me?" She looked him
frankly in the eyes.
We'll, to be more candid. You and l
know the world very well, | fancy.
You We're educated in Europe, Travelled,
enjoyed-and suffered" CThe girl did
not even blink, but went on looking at
him steadily) 1--WE have both had our
hour with the world; have learned many
sides of the game. We haven't come
out of it without scars of one kind or
another. knowledge Of the kind is ex-
pensive."
You wanted to say all that to me
the first eXening we met, didn't you?"
There was a smile of gentle amusement
on her face.
Il did. From the moment l saw you
1 knew that we could say many things
to each other without prelminaries.'
And to be able to do that is a great
deal"
And it is a relief to say things, isn't
it,"
1T is better than writing them,
though that is pleasant, after its kind"
Il have never tried Writing-aS we
talk. There's a good deal Of vanity at
the bottom of it, though, l believe"
"Of course. But vanity is a kind of
virtue, too" He leaned over toward
her, dropping his arms on his knees and
holding her look. Il am very glad that
/ met you. l intended only staying here
over night, but"
But l interested you in a Way-yOu
see, l am vain enough to think that.
Well, you also interested me, and l urg-
ed my aunt to press you to stay. You
did. 1t has been very pleasant, and
when you go it vii be very humd1,um
SAS1aAAs OuI CoIAf SlSiLOll, IluSlSlAlS5,
rounding up bullecks and rabbits. Which
is interesting III a way, but not for long
at a time"
He did not stir, but went on looking al
her.
Yes, believe it has been pleasant
TOR you, else it had not been so pleasant
Tor me. Honestly, don't believe shall
ever get you out of my mind
That is either slightly rude or badly
expressed she said. DO you wish,
then to get me out OF your mindY'
No, no. You are very Keen. l wish
to remember you always. But what l
felt at the moment was this. There are
memories which are always passive and
delightful. We have no wish to live the
scenes of which they are over again
the reflection is enough. There are 9th
erS which cause us to wish the scenes
back again, with a kind of hunger, and
vet they won't or can't come back. 1
wondered of what class this memory
would be-"
The girl flushed ever so slightly, and
her fingers clasped a little nervously
but she was calm. Her voice was even.
It had indeed a little thrilling ring of
energy. You are wonderfully daring
she replied, ito say that to me. To a
schoolgirl it might mean so much. To
ma2-- She shook her head at him rs