The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-08-13
THE LUCK OF A MASQUERADE

THE LUCK OF 4 MASQUEkADE
Watts Danstantou drove. ITO keep
the chill of Is to keep the hand in"
he explained to Roger, and Burn
me-" he added. "but 'tis cold morn
ing, aud Sir Harry the duece Of a
shot"
Roger was glad that his cousin was
content to do the driving. since for his
own part he wanted to reflect. Never
had he felt less incliaed To act second
i'm a duel. 1t seemed such q poor end
to that glorious masquerade OF the
night before, to be bound-Only four
hours later-for the lower fields Of
Ham ustead, there to look on two men
facing each other with pistols In the
frost Of the morning, and one his cous'
in. 1t WAS likely To be bloody bust
ness, too, for the men were to Tight un.
iii one or the other was disabled. And
though the business of war was Lieut..
Roger Dunstanton'- 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 lady's voice was Iin-
geriny like music In his heart? TO
be dragged from his dream into this
deadly scuiiie was intOierable.
To the heat of the mares hoofs on
the road M went over the whole event
of the night. First boredom, then
fascination, and lastly. D rude waxing
TO the scowls and 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 life that was energet.
ic, II not very glorious, found himself
alien from the glitter and the heat,
the dancing aud the incessant violins
It seemed all tongue and prancing--
this masuuerade-ths dancing brisk
enough, the chatter lively enough, bu,
to glide and exchange gossip all night
long with q mask promised TO end In
montony. II the ladies had but un.
covered their faces, It would have been
better. Roger began to explain hIs
view of masquerades somewhat ingen'
uously to partner whom he was lead
ing through the cOtilliOn. She was
light ~ air and blithe-voiced.
"And these nasques are abomin'
able" he said.
20, SIR" she answered, "this Is rank
seiition ~
"How 500"
"For one reason, because 1t Is the
dullest thing to say. and all dullards
are traitors ut masquerade,
"And for another 2" Roger asked,
piqued.
She had so charming haughtiness
that he gave in.
"Then I withdraw the statement u
he said. II tender my apologies"
"To me only, or TO all who wear
masques."
ITO all Internationally" he said
"that Is, on condition that you tell me
good reason for masking"
"Truly," she said, "this Is wha,
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 yOuDg-you are just
from school. know it," he said, un-
warily.
Then, sir, you should have had the
kindness to conceal your knowledge
She fled away and mixed with the
throng. But the masquerade had Il
meaning for Dunstaton now. BY luck
he had found her again, and yet q
third time, and always his admiration
grew.
"AIasques now, not masquerades, are
an abominati0n," he said later.
"But how much better to be cam
paigning," she laughed.
Glow shall know you again :"
"Are not the Low Countries
enough ?"
"Be merciful !" he said.
And for an instant she lifted her
masuue and 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 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, wss facing an older man, equal
ly red-faced and furious, and strug.
Cling to come To blows. A little crowd
of men stood about them, divided in
sympathies. Roger was hailed im-
mediately.
"Ah, cousin :" said Watts, ''you are
come In good time."
"What is the matter ?" Roger asked.
II demand satisfaction from Sir
Harry Mayne," said Watts, furiously.
(which ! warrant, my father will
be most ready to give" said young
man, stepping forward.
Some one Introduced Roger To MIR.
Mayne, and he found himself hurried
~ arranging II meeting with pistols ut
six o'clock in the morning between
his cousin and Sir Harry-each to
bring u doctor and case of pistols.
For the rest, conceive We cad set
tie it on the ground" said young
Mayne. Roger bowed. He was una
ware even rs to the cause and extent
of the quarrel-something to do with
cards, it seemed. Watts was sullen
enough over the matter rs they went
back to his lodging together.
"He struck me-" he growled.
"E.gad, isn't that enough ?'
And they were even now arriving at
the ground. Watts had pulled up and
was descending. They left the cart
with the man. and crossed stile on
the frozen grass.
Roger renewed his acquaintance
with young Mayne, and exchanged
solutions.
II assume that we had best pro-
noad y Sui,l Rnunr nnllly