The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-09-18
That Cameo Bracelet.

him to marry the rich Jenny valken-
burgh.
Propose tonight" said Miss Demoine.
Tonight You don't want me to pro-
pose to girl at masquerade, do you,
and when l don't even know her dis
guise?'
Marion unused 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 hint, will you give me
your promise to do the right thing to-
night?" she asked, with suppressed ca
gerness.
Jack Demoine hesitated. Into his heart
there came sudden, sweet throb-the
memory Of a face and voice that he low
ed; but, as he had told himself hun!
dred times, he could not "afford to mar
ness to forget her.
to be my wife. Now for the directions
be BRIEF
Marion knew her brothers. temper too
we'll to trife with him now. He had
passed his word, and she could. trust
him.
you know the bracelet of the cameo
intaglios that Miss Valkenburgh showed
US the other day? She will wear that on
her left arm"
When the time came, Demoine threw
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 room his eyes began 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.
Valkenburgh, and the quicker it was
done the better.
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 despised him
self. He was going to ask woman
whom he did not love to marry 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 lean
ing against the wall modify watching
the forms that went past him, there came
graceful figure clad in some diaphanous
blue robe. He could only tell that it
was surprisingly lovely, and he did not
know what character was to be repre-
sented.
simultaneously with the feeling of adj
miration that stirred in his heart he saw
on one fair, plump arm the coil of the
cameo intaglios. There was no mis-
taking 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
Waiting with me?"
The mask paused in seeming irresolu
tion. 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 dis
guised as she replied and placed her hand
on his proffered. arm.
In spite of his preoccupation Demoine
enjoyed that waltz, and, owing to the
senses, the young man found himself
thinking that so graceful woman could
not be wholly bore as wife.
"Now for it.' he said to himself as 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 so warm.
He coughed and stammered something
inaudible She begged his pardon-whar
did he say?
He plunged in.
81 don't know how to do the thing
gracefully, Miss Valkenburgh, but I'll
make my words plain. Will you be my
wife?"
There, it was done! And Jack Demoine
breathed long sigh and waited.
He fancied she was agitated. 1t was
moment before she spoke, and Jack
FASTENED to say:
'.It is not possible that you don't know
me?"
ST know you," she answered, and the
voice, no longer disguised, was like ;
knife through Jack Demoine's heart.
He tore off his mask and revealed 8
deathly white face. Now the woman
was much more composed than he was
She removed the blue silk covering from
her own face. Yes, it was Margare
Sears who looked at him. Her face alst
was. colorless, but it showed no emotion
otherwise.
''You should not ask such vital ques
lions at masquerade, Mr.. Demoine, o
you should first take the precaution t.
make sure of the identity of the lady"
How calm her voice was!
! AS 1OF MS DloOu was Ou uie
He uttered IN inarticulate ejaculation
He caught the girls hands in his owl
and held them to his heart; he poure
forth torrent of passionate words; h
called himself dolt jackass, to hav
so degraded himself as to offer his han
.. where he could not give his heart.
He could never remember how he eS
planned matters, but it was certain tina
he made Margaret Sears understand tina
he was thankful for the mistake an
that he loved her and no other.
Fifteen minutes later, when the two
carefully masked again, re-entered th
ballroom, woman in gorgeous ffteent
century dress swept by them on the arr
of Louis XIII musketeer.
, 'That is my Cousin Jenny" whispere
Margaret. How curious that at til
last moment she should have change
her mind and fastened the canoes on m
armw
The next morning Marion, who ha
gone home before supper, asked he
brother:
odd you propose to the girl with IL
4 cameos?"
. Eyes"