The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1900-04-19

gled with a sort of indulgent admlra-
ton at her handsome brother, who
had thrown himself, with every ap-
pearance of ennul, into a chair In her
boudolr.
"And your advice is" he said Ian
guldly, raising his eyes to her face.
"To marry that rich Jenny Valken-
burgh. She's half in love with you
now"
Demolne groaned aloud and answer
ed cynically:
"And I'm wholly In love with her
bank book. Oh, what bliss to have my
debts paid and to be able to look every
body In the face"
do it tonight. them" said Marion,
with animation.
Tonight" he repeated. You don't
want me TO propose to girl at
masquerade, do you, and when don't
even know her dlsguisep
Marion unused a moment. her fine
eyes bent to the floor. 1t was no use
evading the question-her brother must
marry money, and here was the chance.
Ii she could only get him to promise.
"If l give you a hint, will you give
me your promise to do the right thing
tonight" she asked, with suppressed
eagerness.
Jack Demolne hesitated. Into his
hSfrt there came "A sudden, sweet
throb-the memory of face and voice
that he loved; but, as he told himself
hundred times, he could not afford
to marry" Margaret Sears, and 1t was
his business TO forget her. Still he
found the forgetting very difficult
work, though he had succeeded In
making donkey OF himself" as he
phrased 1t, In attentions to the heir
ess, Miss Yalkenburgh. There WAS
sting in the thought of Margaret also
"a sting which his sister had taken
care he should feel. 1t was the rumor
that she favored some one else-that
young Garrett, the millionaire. doubt
less would take the girl, for OF course
he had but to reach out his hand. He
could please himself, aud marry n
woman without a penny IL 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 d.
reetlons-be brief"
Marion knew her brothers temper
too well TO trifle with him now. He had
passed his word. and she could trust
him.
"You know the bracelet of cameo In
tagllos that Miss Valkenburgh showed
US the other day? She will wear that
on her left arm"
When the time came Demoine threw
a cloak over his dress, and with his
mask in his hand he stepped Into the
lie was late. As he entered
the brilliant drawing-room his eyes be-
gan their search for the wearer OF the
cameo bracelet He was going to have
his task over directly. lie had come to
offer his hand to Jenny Vankenburgh,
He did not look at ladies' dresses; he
looked at their arms, and felt sense
Of relief at each one he saw which did
not bear what to him was the fatal
bracelet. He felt very mean, and he
himself. lie was going to ask
a woman whom he did not love to mar
ry him-he wanted her money.
A waltz sounded from the band. Gilt
tering couples glided OFF down the
room. AT that moment, as Demoine
was leaning against the wall, modify
the forms that went past
him, there came n graceful figure. clad
In some diaphonous blue robe. lie
could only tell that 1t was surprisingly
lovely, and he did not know what char
acter was to be represented.
simultaneously with the feeling OF
that stirred in his heart, he
saw on one fair, plump arm the coil
of the cameo lntagllos. There was no
them. They were Of too rare
workmanship for one to forget them.
He did not pause. Softly he made
his way after the blue mask, and the
next moment he had whispered to her.
"Make this music still sweeter by
waltzing with meT'
The mask paused In seeming irresolu-
ton. Had she recognized him? He had
not tried In the least to disguise his
voice. He rather wished to be known
by her, but her tones were evidently
disguised as she replied and placed her
hand on his proffered arm.
In spite Of his preoceupatlon De
moline enjoyed that waltz, and, owing
to the power that delicately appeals to
the senses, the young man found him
self thinking that 80 graceful woman
could not be wholly bore as a wife.
"Now for itp' he said to himself. MS
he swung her out of the group, and
bent down his tall head as he asked her
to go out Of the crowd-it was 80 warm.
He coughed and stammered some
thing inaudlble. She begged his par
don-what did he say?
He plunged In.
Il don't know how to do the thing
gracefully, Miss yalkenburgh, but I'll
make my words plain. WIN you be my
wifeT
There, 1t was donei And Jack De-
moline breathed long sigh and waited.
He fancied she was agitated. 1t was
a moment before she spoke, and Jack
fastened to say:
ut is not possible that you don't
know meY
Il know you," she answered, and the
voice, no longer disguised, was like a
knife through Jack Demoine's heart.