New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-24

to visit Kate Morris for few days. Announcing her
arrival by telegram she took an afternoon tram,
and reached her friends house in time for dinner.
You dear thngi" exclaimed Miss Morris, 81 I'm
glad you'll l going to a masquerade this
evening but I've such fearful headache I've had to
give it up; and SO III be delighted to have you here
to entertain and amuse me- Unless, with an air OF
decided ncgaton, unless you'd like to go to the
party in nv place
no, thank YOU said Esther Baif. I've little
use for parties Where is it,:
AT the Mervin's; but you don't know them.
Indeed doubt if you'd know any of the guests either.
Philip King is to be there. You've heard of him.
YES, I've heard of him." said Miss Baf, with
a secret amused admiration of her own calm. I've
read his poems she went grmly enjoying the
'torrnenting OF her sub-consciousnesS.
oh have YOU: said Kate Morris disnterestedly.
well he's going be there and Miss Parsons the
Young PLAYWRIGHT and Mrs. Gordon the soprano.
Quite list of celebrities though theyre all to be
masked thew might as we'll be Cornmoners,. Oh my
head is perfectly dreadful don't know, Esther as
stand even you IN the room
Kate" said Esther Baif, suddenly if that's
truc-if YOU don't care especially for my company
this evening | believe | should like go to the
Merwns masquerade. Have you a costume"
Indeed have and it would disguise you perfectly
though none Of them knows YOU, anyway. But it is
the loveliest pora rig like Ellen Terry wore you
know all red with a mortar-board and a golden wig
Oh it's lovely, / wish could 60. But can't and if
YOU Will 60 and the gown I'll be delighted, for
truly Esther dear couldn't talk YOU this evening
Almost tremblnglv Esther Baihf dressed for the
masquerade No need for lotions curling
irons no occasion for studying color effects
silcrng accessories Disguise. complete disguise.
the only end to bc attained Carefully she adjusted
the cured blond wig eagerly she donned the effective
I'D gown and mortar-board, and then put the red
oatin mask with It's deep lace trll
Good by" She SAID as She looked in at Kate Morris
door | dare say I'm foolish. butt wanted to go"
WHY shouldn't YOU go'' SAID her friend heartily.
Its the very thing Have the best possible time.
and don't let anyone know who you until you
unmlsk Oh my head
I'm so sorry SAID Esther, sympathetically Il
do hope il soon Will be better Don't sit up for me
"Oh. can, sleep" SAID Kate. Tell James to
wait Tor YOU and don't come home till the last one.
Have all the fun YOU can.
The strangcst sensations assaulted the soul Of Esther
B4in as she sat the Morris brougham going the
Merwn's masquerade, and when little later She
found herself IN the dressing room surrounded bv
chattering Folvs and Colunbines and silent Undnes
and Iulcts all her nightmare OF trouble slipped from
her as a garment and she stood masked, for once on
an equal plane with her companions.
The bare idea intoxicated her
She Esther Baihtf the ugtcst woman in the worll
Just peer Of statucsquc hours and piquant.
bcyichug beauties The realization OF tins ran
through her BRAIN like mpaticutlv She flung her
study of the mirror She gaily downstairs 70 the
already crowded drawing
Portia, announced Voice she entered. and
Esther Bilihs hour had begun.
Untramrclcd Al last by any thought OF her appear
its effect others She gave her self full
Secure the knowledge that excepting Philip King
no one present had seen her heard her voice.
she abandoned herself the spirit OF the occasion
and scored Il wonderful success by her merry bad
image and playful Irritation.
Naturally enough the irresistiblv