The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-08-06
THE LUCK OLA MASQUERADE

Pitiypat and Tippytoe.
THE LUCK OLA MASQUERADE
Watts Duustanton drove. ITO keep
the chill off 10 to keep the hand in"
he explained to Roger, aud BURN
me.n he added. "but 'tis . cold morn
ing, and Sir Harry the duece OF .
shot"
Roger war glad that his cousin was
content to do the driving. since for his
own mart he wanted to reflect. Never
had he felt less inclined to act second
In duel. 1t seemed such q poor cad
to that glorious masquerade OF the
uight before, TO be bound-oniy four
hours later-for the lower fields OF
HAMPSTEAD, there to look Oh two men
facing each other with pistols In the
frost of the morning, and one his cous.
In. 1t was likely to be bloody busi'
ness, too, for the men were to fight un-
til one or the other was disabled. And
though the business of war was Lieut..
Roger Dunstanton's own business, yet
this affair was inopportune! How
should he look forward to the crack OF
pistols, when for the first time In his
life the sound of q lady's voice was lin.
eering like music In his heart? To
be dragged from his dream into this
deadly scuffie was intolerable.
To the heat of the mares hOofa on
the road h. went over the whole event
of the night. First boredom. then
fascination, and lastly. u rude wasing
10 the seowls aud brawling in the card
room-those were the events In order.
The bOredum began almost at the
beginning of the ball, for Roger, being
fresh from campaigning in the Low
Countries and q life that was energet-
ic, il not very glorious, found himself
alien from the glitter and The heat,
the dancing aud the incessant viOlins.
e seemed all tongue and prancing-
this masa auerade dancing brisk
enough, the chatter lively enough, but
to glide and exchange gossip all night
long with q mask promised to end In
montoby. 1.-THE ladies had but un-
covered their faces, 1t would have been
better. Roger began to explain bis
view of roasquerades somewhat ingen'
uously to . partner whom he was lead.
ing through the cotillion. She was
light rs air aud blithe-voiced.
"Aud these masques are abomin.
able" he said.
20, sir" she answered, this IS rank
sedition !"
"How so?"
"For one reason, because 1t Is the
III Lt In n al
are traitors ut masquerade"
"And for another :" Roger asked,
piqued.
She had SO charming q haughtiness
that he gave In.
"Then. / withdraw the statement" !"
he said. II tender my apologies"
ITO me only, or TO all who wear
Mosques"
"To all uncOnditionally," he said ;
"that Is, on condition that you tell me
good reason for masking"
"TruIy," she said, this is what
comes Of soldering. This IL uncon.
ditional surrender on your own terms.
Nevertheless, will tell you. The
masque IL good for the old maid!"
"But you are yOung-you are just
from school. know it," he said, un-
warily.
"rhen, sir, you should have had the
kindness to conceal your knowledge"
She fled away and mixed with the
throng. But the masquerade had u
meaning for Dunstaton now. BY luck
he had found her again, and yet q
third time, and always his admiration
grew.
"Masques now, not masquerades, are
an abomination," he said later.
"But how much better to be cam
paigning," she laughed.
"How shall know you again ?"
"Are not the Low Countries
enough ?"
BE merciful ~ he said.
And for an instant she lifted her
masque aud he SOW her. She was
more beautiful than he expected-lips
made for music, eyes full Of laughter
and adventure.
And again leaving her merry laugh
ter in his ears she slipped into the
crowd"
Left to himself, Duns,anton could
not rest. He walked into the card.
room, where he perceived that there
was q most undisguised quarrel on its
course. His cousin, who seemed TO
have just staggered to his feet from
the ombretable, his face drenched with
wine, Was facing an older man, equal
ly red-faced aud furious, aud strug-
Cling to come to blows. A little crowd
Of men stood about them, divided in
Roger was hailed im-
"Ah, cousin :" said Watts, you are
come in good time"
"What Is the matter ." Roger asked.
IT demand satisfaction from Sir
Harry Mayne," said Watts, furiously.
(which l warrant, my father will
be most ready to give,' said young
man, stepping forward.
Some one introduced Roger To Mr..
Mayne, and he found himself hurried
ly arranging meeting with pistols ut
six o'clock in the morning between
his cousin and Sir Harry-each to
bring u doctor and q case of pistols.
For the rest, / conceive We cad set
tie it OIL the ground" said young
Mayne. Roger bowed. He was una
ware even as to the cause and extent
of the quarrel--something to do with
cards, 1t seemed. Watts was sullen
enough over the matter ~ they went
back to his lodguig togethe..
"He struck me-" he growled.