Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-03-16


e, looking with some scorn, min
with a sort of indulgent admira-
at her handsome brother, who
thrown himself, with every ap
hnce of ennui, into a chair in her
tloir
Ind your advice is" he said Ian
ly, raising his eyes TO her face.
o marry that rich Jenny Valken-
gh. She's half in love with you
!"
Amoine groaned aloud and answer
ynically:
nd I'm wholly in love with her
book. Oh, what bliss to have my
IS paid and to be able to look every
y in the face"
DO it tonight, then" said Marion,
h animation.
Tonight" he repeated. "You don't
hit me to propose to a girl at
Rsquerade, do you, and when l don't
en- know her disguise"
lIarion mused a moment. her fine
s bent to the floor. 1t was no use
Ading the question-her brother must
sy money, and here was the chance.
could only get him to promise.
give you a hint, will you give
sr promise to do the right thing
?" she asked, with suppressed
ess.
Demoine hesilated. Into his
ethere came a sudden, sweet
hn Of fno nd
be loved; but, as he told himself
sdred times, he could not "atfOrd
lrry" Margaret Sears, and it was
business to forget her. Still he
I'D the forgetting very difficult
brk, though he had succeeded in
liking donkey of himself" as he
based 1t, in attentions to the heir
ess, Miss Valkenburgh. There was
sting in the thought of Margaret also
Ia sting which his sister had taken
hare he should feel. 1t was the rumor
at ghe favored some one else-that
ung Garrett, the millionaire, doubt
IS would take the girl, FOR of course
he had but to reach out hfs hand. He
ould please himself, and marry
woman without penny If he chose,
and who would refuse him?
1t was that thought that made Jack
Demoine's face suddenly harden as he
replied:
"Yes, promise you I'll ask her to-
night to be my wife. Now for the di-
rections-be brief"
Marion knew her brothers temper
too well to trifie with him now. He had
passed his word, and she could trust
him.
'You know the bracelet of cameo In
taglios that Miss Valkenburgh showed
us the other day? She will wear that
on her left arm"
When the time same Demoine threw
a cloak over his dress, and with his
mask in his hand he stepped into the
carriage He was late. AS he entered
the brilliant drawing his eyes be-
gan their search for the wearer of the
cameo bracelet. He was going to have
his task over directly. He had come to
offer his hand to Jenny Nankenburgh,
and the quicker 1t was done the better.
He did not look at ladies' dresses; he
looked at their arms, and felt n sense
of relief ut each one he saw which did
not bear what to him was the fatal
bracelet He felt very mean, and he
desplsed himself. He was going to ask
n woman whom he did not love to mar
ry him-he wanted her money.
A waltz sounded from the band. Gilt
tering couples gllded Off down the
room. At that moment, as Demoine
was leaning against the wall. moodily
watching the forms that went past
him, there came n graceful figure, clad
in some diaphonous blue robe. He
could only tell that it was surprisingly
lovely, and he did not know what char
acter was to be represented.
simultaneously with the feeling OF
admiration that stirred in his heart, hs
saw on one fair, plump arm the col
of the cameo intaglos. There was NJ
mlstaking them. They were of too rar,
workmanship for one to forget them.
He did not pause. Softly he made
his way after the blue mask, and tn,
next moment he had whispered to her
Make this music still sweeter b.
waltzing with me?"
The mask paused In seeming irresolu
ton. Had she recognized him? He ha,
not tried in the least to disguise hi
voice. He rather wished to be know
by her, but her tones were evidentl
disguised as she replied and placed he
hand on his proffered arm.
In spite of his preoccupation De
moine enjoyed that waltz, and, OWN
TO the power that delicntely appeals t
the senses, the young man found him
self thinking that so graceful a woma