The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-01-18
A MASQUERADE.

"Oh, nothing matters" she said,
with soft, ironical smile, as she tossed
bit of sugar to the cockatoo.
s'Quite So" was his reply, as he care
fully gathered in loose leaf of his
cigar. Then, after a pause: ''And
yet, why so? It's very pretty world
one way and another"
Eyes, it's pretty world at times"
At that time they were both looking
out over part of the world known as
the Nindobar plains, and it was hand
some 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 wilderness of bios
SONS. To the left was high rose-col-
ored hill, solemn and mysterious; to the
right-far off-a forest of gum trees,
pink and purple against the horizon.
At their feet. beyond the veranda,
was garden joyously brilliant, and
bright-plumaged birds fitted back and
forth.
The two looked out for long time;
then, as if by mutual impulse, sud-
denly turned their eyes on each other.
They smiled, and somehow that smile
was not delightful to see The girl
said presently, at is all on the sur
face"
"You mean that the beautiful birds
have dreadful voices; that the flowers
are scentless; that the leaves on the
trees are all on edge and give no
shade; that where that beautiful carpet
of. blossoms is there was a blazing
quartz plain six months ago, and
there's likely to be the same again
that, in brief, it's pretty, but hollow"
He made slight, fantastic gesture, as
though mocking himself for so long a
speech, and added: Really, l didn't
prepare this little grafton"
She nodded and then said: "Oh,
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, thenP" He laughed
not at all bitterly, yet not with singu-
lar cheerfulness.
"And do you think that you are pos
sessed of such acuteness, then, and
+" She paused, raised her eye
brows little coldly and let the cock
atoo bite her finger.
81 did not mean to be egotistical,
believe 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 have
been tolerably candid with each other
since we met for the first time, three
days ago. / know you would not hes
itate to say what was in your mind,
and I ask out of honest curiosity. One
fancies one hides ones self, and yet
you seew
"You are forgiven, of course. Do
you find it pleasant, then, to be candid
and free with some one? Why with
me?" She looked him frankly in the
eyes.
well, to be more candid. You and
I know the world very we'll, fancy.
You were educated in Europe, travel
ed, enjoyed suffered" ('The girl
did not even blink, but went on look
ing at him steadily.) "We have both
had our hour with the world; have
learned many sides of the game. We
haven't come out of it without tears
of one kind and another. knowledge
of the kind is expensive"
"You wanted to say all that to me
the first evening we met, didn't you?"
There was smile of gentle amuse-
ment on her face.
Il did. From the moment saw
you I knew that we could say many
things to each other without prelimi-
naries. And to be able to do that is a
great deal"
"And it's relief to say things, isn't
it?"
"It is better than writing them,
though that is pleasant, after its kind. u
81 have never tried writing-as we
talk. There's good deal of vanity at
the bottom of it though, 1 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. 81 am very glad
that met you. intended only stay
ing here over night, but"
"But interested you in way-vou
see, I am vain enough to see that.
Well, you also interested me, and
urged my aunt to press you to stay.
You did. 1t has been very pleasant,
and when you go it will be very hum
drum again; our conversation, muster
tering, rounding up bullocks and rab-
bits. Which is interesting in its way,
but not for long at time"
He did not stir, but went on looking
at her."
Eyes, / believe it has been pleasant
for you, else it had not been pleasant
for me. Honestly, l don't believe
ever shall 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 mind?"
mo, no. You are very keen.
wish to remember you always, but
what felt at the moment was this
There are memories which are always
passive and delightful. We have nc
wish to live the scenes of which they
are over again; the reflection il
enough. There are others which cause
US to wish the scenes back again, with
a kind of hunger, and yet they won''
or can't come back. wondered o.
what class this memory would be-"
The girl flushed ever so slightly, anc
her fingers clasped little nervously
but she was calm. Her voice wa:
even. 1t had indeed little thrilling
ring of energy. "You are wonderfully
daring" she replied, "to say that tt
me. To schoolgirl it might mean ST
much. To me" She shook he