The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-16

Don't hurry yourself" he said TO RUSSELL;
the time won't hang heavy in this good
company" and needless of Johns assur-
ance that he had little to say TO the strange
lady. the prince disappeared into the fur
ther room, shutting the door nOisily be-
hind him. John Russell. left thus to him
self, surveyed his loneliness somewhat rue
fully. He had wrangled for his right to
remain, because it was not in his nature
to bulge an inch for any man; but he had
no interest in the adventure and heartily
wished himself out of it. He was skiing
himself sulkily what all the pother was
about when he felt a light tap on his
shoulder, and turning. found himself face
20 face with a woman so closely masked
and amply dominoed that it was impossible
for him to do more than guess at her age.
and seeming.
where did you spring FROM" he asked.
astonished, for he had heard no sound of
any entrance.
He was answered by a musical voice that
seasoned broken English with a strong
French accent. Perhaps l dropped from
the Clouds said Lady Dye, savOring ma
iiciously her lovers bewilderment. per
haps 1 rose from the earth. Perhaps 1 am
a witch, and can come and go as L please,
though every door be shut against me-"
She patted Johns arm archly with her
fan as she spoke, and shot hooking glances
at him through the eye holes of her mask;
but John Russell was not to be wheedled.
Madam" he said, bluntly, what do
you want of me?"
The syren voice made answer with an au-
dacity that amazed Lady Dye herself,
trembling not a little behind the brazen
security of her envelope. Lady Dye. de-
liciously inexperienced, believed that she
could simulate boldness to the life, and she
told John as plainly as her determination
to keep up her juggle of broken English
permitted that she thought him a pretty
fellow, that she had taken quite a fancy
to him, and was we'll prepared to adventure
in his company on a fast and furious hirta-
tion.
John Russell listened to her stclidly, and
stolidly shook his head. He thanked the
lady, awkwardly enough; but Dye adored
his awkwardness, for her good opinion of
his merits-a good opinion which it would
not be modest of him to admit nor courte-
Gus TO gainsay-but he begged to be ex-
cused from pursuing the mysterious ac-
quaintance further. She expostulated; he
persisted. Honest John was not to be
shaken.
eff you must know" he said, 81 am
sworn servant to the p~rettiest maid in Eng
land, and so long as there is a chance of
winning her heart there is no other woman
in the world for me-"
Lady Dye could have Rugged him for his
stubbornness, but she professed extreme
discontinue and disappointment.
Madam" said honest John bluntly, "you
, have another gallant in yonder chamber;
; you may find him of a more affable dispo-
sition."
He made as if to take his leave, but the
mask detained him.
IF you are so cold,' she queried. why
q did you come at ALP"
Madam" John answered, 1.-THE letter
might have come from one who needed
help; 1 had no right to assume otherwise u
: The mask shrugged her shoulders. IF
you are so loyal a gentleman" she said,
+, then I will make this much claim upon
' your loyalty. Will you wait awhile in
wonder corridor? Lose a dance or two for
my pleasure? I am something of a witch,
indeed, and may tell you a wonder"
Russell was for excusing himself, but the
mask pleaded with such a pretty imperious-
! ness that he consented to stay for a time
p III NAt
"You make something of a gatekeeper,'
he grumbled.
The mask shook her head. "It is never i'll
to serve a woman" she said.
d: John Russell saluted her gravely, and
g went out into the corridor. The distant
dance music rippled about him through
the open door and died away as it closed
[ behind him..
. .IadV Dive IOOkad after him a pnonnapt
S touched and pleased. Honest John has ar
a honest heart" she whispered TO herself
q II could find 1t in my own to hold him
very dear If only there were not another
" wooer in the field. Now for my royal
I lover" And on the thought she ran lightly
t across the floor, threw open the door OF
the further room and called out: "Entrez
n done Monseigneur.'
She was answered by a joyous laugh, and
n in another moment Frederick William
stood framed in the doorway. He had cast
aside his domino; his rich suit glowed in
g the candlelight; his face was flushed be.
t hind the mask which he still wore. and his
[ gait was ever so slightly unsteady. Evi
IDENTIFY he had not been idle in plying the
d f1agon during his brief period of imprison.
a ment. But he made a handsome, com.
manding figure, and Dye felt that here was
a great deal to be said for her royal lover
s as we'll as the fact Of his royalty.
s "Hey!' said the young prince. What
Y has become CT my predecessor" and Lady
h Dye answere him in French, which sh,
a spoke very well, that he and she had no
n been of a mind and so had parted com
Y pany.
The Prince laughed vinously. HE wal
f lucky at the dice" he chuckled; "'tis onl!
d fair that he should be unlucky in love. Ii,
won the wager. 1 the wench," and he al
vanced towards Lady Dye with his arm
d affectionately extended.
Lady Dye shrank back a little. II wa
s looking for a true lover she stammered
e and Frederick William shouted back q
her boisterously that she had found on,
e now or never.
d Lady Dye, finding the Prime in so play
e full a condition., began to parley, but tn,
: Prince whitfield her speech aside inpatient!
II am ever ready for adventure" he pro
e tested; "you have taken a fancy TO me
or you would not have made this assig
nation. Well, 1 have taken a fancy to yol
- IN -. -r,.1 4 r0A ro,-- g.