Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1900-06-09
MASKS OFF.

my iancc, Ellington Lewis"
Judith" Her guest turned from the
mirror. She was brushing the pretty ten
drills of her soft hair that curlcd so will.
fully about her brow. IF anything went
wrong tonight, it was my fault. l am
tired. Tomorrow | shall do my best to
redeem it."
But Judith was not content. She ques-
toned Ellington few days later.
'lou do not like my friend" she said
Eorrowfully. How can you be indiffer-
cnt to her charm. Lcwis?'
Il am not" CALAMITY. Miss Morrison
has n trick of lifting her brows as you
do, and the voices are not unlike. How
did never hear of herr
That is easily explained. She has
been abroad since we graduated. You
and | have not discussed old school
Mates She smiled charmingly. but
you have not told me why you dislike
her"
Il have given you no reason to think
So"
''But You do not" she persisted.
mo. Judith, I do not like Miss Morri-
SON" She had not before detected the
WEAKNESS in his voice.
A pcrplcXed young hostess presided
| over affairs the next few days. Lillian
Morrison herself came to the rescue and
| proposed a house party, and after that
there were picnics, drives and boating
| parties in gay succession.
The first night of September found the
| gaycty Mt its height. A masquerade
| dance was in progress. 1t was the night
| preceding the departure of Judith's
guests Even Lillian was to go.
Not far from midnight Ellington moved
4 Al, 81, L.
held mask in his hand. for the night
| was hot. The denScneSs of the shadows
the uminousncss of the stars. the cool
ness after the heated atmosphere of the
ballroom. were grateful to him.
Strange how that snatch of verse throb
bed and surgcd through his brain: 'For
me who can never be thine" How the
words repeated themselves! Twas the
| night. the sound of the dancers feet, the
| clash of music.
| AS he paused under Il small balcony Il
| fan, a dainty thing, brushed his face and
| fell at his feet. 4 woman leaned over
| the balcony. lie could see the CLEAN of
her white throat and naked arms.
care you, too, weary of the dance?" he
asked as he returned the fan.
She made some light reply.
Miss Morrisonr'-she noticed the quick
| change in his voice You leave us to-
morrow. May not bid you goodbye"
"Are you, then, so anxious TO see me
| go?' Did he imagine it or was there a
reproach in her voice? He drew nearer.
"The dancers, the garden, the music as
| it comes to us here, of what does it make
| you think? You will not tell me? Then,
whether you like it or not, | will make it
clear between us. Fate has brought us
to this balcony.
"Have you forgotten the old garden
there beyond the sea"-he caught her
| hands-"and that last night when | told
| you of my love? You sent me from you
coldly, but knew you cared"
"IIave you forgotten Judith?' The
sweet voice sounded harsh. She drew her
hands from him and stood erect.
you know | have been true to her."
! passionatcly. Il will never speak like
this again. Judith has told me the story
"A simple one. A quiet sea, a sudden
squat, an overturned boat; but it left
you free. Free. while | wandered over
the earth trying to forget and forever
| haunted by the wrath of girl with sun
ny hair and wistful blue gray eyes. Why
did | not know? 1t was not doubt; you
could not doubt me. Answer, Lillian"
She leaned against the railing. She did
not speak.
"Thcre could be many excuses" bitter
| ly. Il was in Egypt but letters would
have reached me. Twas then reserve.
You could not. | laughed when judith
told me your lovers death had spoiled
your life"
Still the girl uttered no word. He lean
ed upon the railing. 81 am going now"
His voice had grown tender. 81 would
do nothing that would bring regret to
you or her. | may not touch you, but |
love you! love you! love you! Go
ing, and you stand there as if you were
turned to stone! You will not say the
words for which my heart has hunger
ed? But once, dear"
"Oncc. and forever hold my breath"
she gaspcd. 'Then love YOU"
He laughed in low content. Good
by" he said. although he did not move.
"Goodby." He turned to go.
| "LCwiS. her voice was almost Il whis-
per, task her to release you. Tell her
tcnd"rly. Perhaps it will not hurt much.
If it fails. touch her pride"
He looked at her incredulously. al
cannot"
"Thcn You do not love-
81 will not pain her so. We are Injured
to pain"
| He looked ont over the garden. I'm
consciously he crushed in his grasp rose
that grew on the balcony.
How the struggle swaycd in the soul
| of the woman who stood so near him.
How the inner voice wrangcd with her!
"RcnuUncc him. Rcnouncc him, He is
hers. He is mine, He loves her! Let
him 20. | viii not! The mistake is his.
Rcnoumcc-quick-- before it is too latcr'
He leaned toward her. 'FOrgive me,
my sweet. and-goodby. 1t is goodby
this time"
For answer she leaned and touched his
brow with her lips. 1T is out of your
hands," she said softly. 600 to her."
She slipped the mask from her face.
Judith" hoarscly. "IIow could you.
The voice.
"You deceived yourself" she snid gem
tly. "And the awakening is better now.
Words cannot undo what has been said.
Leave me, please"
There was Il tone in her voice he could
not disobcy. Without a word he left her.
The moon was coming large and full
over the hills. 1t brought her figure out
Of the dark The river moved far below
her like n flash of silver between its
walls The beauty, the passion of the
night shook her to the soul. She stood
silently; her lips moved as if in prayer.
When she turned to go back to her
guests. the light that illumincd her face
was not from the moOn.-ChiCago News.
! His Malady.
| Farmer DuuE-\Ehot is tho m0ttpr