The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-10-18
Her Little Ma squerade.
Belle stood AT the telephone.

l
Her brow was puckered into frown,
| although she said. sweetly enough.
| Yes, papa, I shall be delighted
But you don't look delighted in the
| least" said Irene, who was watching
her from the cushioned window seat
And my countenance speaks The truth
Papa telephones that be has invited two
| guests to dinner tonight; Mr. Fairfax
| of Richmond, who has come 10 the city
| with his friend, DR.. somebody-I did not
| catch his name-presumabiy from the
| same place. Papa always expects his viS
itors TO be joyfully received, therefore
1 pretend 70 be pleased.
But why do you seem worried2 This
is not a tragedy, surely"
Because they will be here in less than
| two hours and Katy left this afternoon.
| The Fairfax family live like Princes. so
| mamma used TO say, and I don't know
| what this member viii think when Gusta
spills the wine and upsets half The
dishes, as she will be sure to do il I
ask her to come from the kitchen TO
wait at table
Cant you explain the situanon?"
''Yes, but I hate such explanations.
| You see his cousin is my friend and she
has told him a great deal about my
housekeeping and how we'll 1 have man
| aged since mammals death, and I do so
want the domestic machinery TO run
smoothly while he is here"
Il wish 1 might help YOU" said Irene
Then she sprang to the floor and cried:
81 will help you! 1 wiz play the role of
maid, and I promise you not q dish
shall be upset.
Nonsense! couldn't allow my guest
to do such a thing"
Il will do it, not as your guest, but
as your new maid. leave for Chicago
early tomorrow morning and I need not
see either of them again. o, do consent,
Belief I will wear that blonde wig YOU
mad for the fancy dress party, and l
will make cunning little cap. With
your fathers defective sight and his alb
sentmindedness he will never guess who
/ am, and he viii think l am spending
I my last evening in Cincinnati with the
Lorings. as I had intended TO do. Q,
what fun! I am never so happy as
when I am masquerading"
Belle yielded reluctant consent and
Irene went gayly upstairs to prepare
her costume.
by you 1 should have said she made a
faxen hair with your dark eyes said
Belle as her friend in plain dark gown,
white apron and coquettish cap appeared
in the dining-room.
With eyes demurely cast down, Irene
began her task, but suddenly the fow-
ers, electric lights, and everything seem
ed to be whirling around, for in one o.
the guests she recognized Norman Ken
dali, the hero Of the one romance OF her
heart! But he could not possibly recog-
nize her under the present circumstances,
she thought, and with mighty effort
quickly regained her composure. Every
thing went smoothly and visitors and
hosts adjourned TO the parlor where,
having served coffee, Irene returned 20
take away the cups.
Il am sorry my daughters friend, Miss
Lemont, is not with us tonight" said
Bellies father, as he leaned back COM
fortably in his easy chair. by the way
you may have met her, DR.. Kendall, as
you are a Chicagoan."
Chicago is a large place" returned
the young man, vaguely.
1--WE will present you at the depot in
the morning as she returns on your
train. But I warn you not TO lose your
heart, for she says she viii never marry.
We think she has been disappointed in
love"
The delicate cup Irene had taken from
DR.. KendalPs hand was crushed under
her nervous grasp, and she hurried from
the room.
Il think your maid must have cut her
hand; will see what I can do for it Il
You will excuse me for a moment" ia
the young physician as he followed her.
He found her at the end of the hall.
LET me see your hand, Miss l. mont"
said he
at is but mere scratch" she replied,
cold!y
He took the hand and pressed it to
his lips. There Is wound in my heart
dear, which only you can cure; viii
your"
Then she whispered, half laughing, half
crying:
Thanks TO that dear laundering old
man. you must know that l viii say
yes -