The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-15
AT THE MASK BALL.

The swirl of the dancers occupied tn
main body of the hail. but the outskirts
were free, open promenadeS, in wnici
the masks went to and fro with anima
ton in every pose of their bodies.
| Beauty was there, implicit in the para,
phernalia, but beauty latent, unreveal
ed, and Haunting itself in disguise Lore
Francis eyes passed across the Shep
herdesses, Marie Antoinettes, Vivandi
eres, and rested for the third time OF
the gray domino in the alcove. She
was in the costume of Spanish dancer
and she had not left her post now fol
a quarter of an hour. Obviously from
her attentive air she was expecting
some one. Lord Francis made his way
deliberately toward her.
We'll. I've found you at last" he
said. heartily.
The Spanish dancer started, and there
was momentary pause, while the
music swept on. rs it. she began
hesitatingly. and then broke off. Jack
how did you recognize me?" she SAID
ecstatically. DO you think I couldn't
tell you in a thousand-ten thousand,
mean?" he replied, with a wave of his
hand at the throng. she laughed JOY
Gus laugh. Il thought l should puzzle
you you know, Jack, because didn't
give you the slightest hint what I was
going as, did 1? And auntie said you
never find out, and - But l am SO
glad you did. I've been trying to make
out which was you for ever so long
bly, And now, how have you done it ~
he asked.
'oh, well, your ring, you know,
Jack-the puzzle ring. That was
Wonderful perspicacity!" said
Lord Francis. with a glance at his
And you've been trying to disguise
on, triurnphantly ITS a very good
imitation, Jack, but it didn't take me
I'm so glad he declared. 81
thought I'd deceive you into taking
me for some one else
"Oh, no." She shook her head
merrily, rocking herself to and fro,
with her hands clasped about one
knee. And so you needn't keep up
the deception" She looked at him
closely through the eyes of the mask
and Lord Francis gazed back He was
sure that beauty was latent here; he
could have told it from the voice
alone. The situation was piquant.
"WeI?" he ventured at last.
do you know, Jack, you are look
ing splendid-really quite distin-
guished. What made you think Of?
I suppose it's the court dress. 1 didn't
know that you could be So"
$50 WHAT" he asked, as she paused.
.On. nothing" she replied with
little laugh. And now what do you
think of me?"
you. my dear girl. are adorable. as
he said, feeling that the init
macy thus discovered between them
justified the remark.
Jack. you are in an odd mood to-
night. 1 can't make you out" she said,
hesitatingly.
ITS the intoxication of the ball, and
the company" he explained, lightly.
But come. am I to have no reward2'
"Reward?" she asked, with an as
sumption of indifference.
Yes now that l have found you.
He put out a hand tentatively, but
Carmen withdrew quickly.
Jack. Ill-Tu never forgive you" she
said, holly.
II assure you 1 wasn't he began.
1T only thought perhaps L might De
privileged to obtain q. dance Or
But don't say you may not perhaps
do what 1 promised" she said nesltat-
ingly. 'only auntie-
"Oh, let's get rid of auntie. Let's
lose her at At. the d,e;o,, doors' suggested
She laughed. you are rude. T
don't know what's come to you"
What had she promised to do? "Only,
you know she ended, meaningly:
Oh, what. thought Lord Francis, had
she said was to happen?
st shall take very good care it does
happen" he said, emphancally.
things?" she flashed suddenly. oh,
he was sure of her beauty. But what
had he done? Il will go straight
back to auntie." and her eyes turned
toward a thin woman in the full cos
tune of Queen Elizabeth, who was
So that was auntie.
please don't" he pleaded Give
me another chance. l simply lose my
head talking to you
Here's auntie,' said Carmen, eva
sively, as Queen Elizabeth sailed ma
iestically up and came to a pause.
Carmen rose. Lord Francis heard a
whisper.
who's that, GIadys?'
He made a profound boy "a gen.
.leman of the Court of lie Roi SoleiI. |
1our majesty" said he.
Queen Elizabeth curtsied, and en-
gagged her niece in penetrating |
Whisper. you've been talking here
about half an hour" she said, and |
gladys, I've found Mr.. Prince |
gladys pleasant laughter tinkled in
his ears. "Oh, how clever of you, |
luntiei Have you. really?''
Eyes, and he's looking out for you.
told him where you were"
Gray domino laughed merrily, and |
Ter eyes. through the mask, beamed |
Ind cleaned on Lord Francis. isn't |
hat excellent news, sir?'' she de- |
handed. Did you hear?"
II am desolated,' he murmured. |
But will do my best to prevent the |
tragedy"
Gladys clapped her hands; she was
excited. There, auntfe! |