The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1904-03-25

"To ali Internationally, he SAID,
'that is. on condition that you tell me
good reason for masking"
"Truly." she said, "this is what
comes of soldering. This is uncondi.
tional surrender on your own terms.
Nevertheless, l will tell you. The
masque is good for the old maid!'
"But you are young-you are just
from school. | know it," he said un-
warily.
"Then, sir, you should have had
the kindness to conceal your know
ledge"
II only meant
"a compimen. without doub:. For
the young and bashful maiden, then,
plunged suddenly into the midst of
distractions, the masque is a protec-
ton. AS DR.. Dimms, the great
scholar. hath it, and indeed l have
not forgotten it, seeing that Miss
Minkton, my late revered mistress So
II knew you were from school,
made me repeat it" she went on
without needing the interruption, ION
the very day of leaving:
.When first, released from Academic care.
The Nymph attempts the ocean of Mayfair.
Lo! as she looks on tn at sea of beaux
With joy her heart, with hope her bosom glows.'
"Charming nympb!' said Roger,
taken by the mock-hero:c of her recit-
ing.
"Wai,.' she frowned at his Interrupt
tion through her masque, "for the
poem proceeds, backed by the great
scholars experience:
"Beaux insincere! Sea not all Sc
rene! and tells how easily the Nymph
may chance on shipwreck, and wish
in vain that she was returned TO
trenchant Blackboard and inspiring
Globe But on the other hand,
guarded by her masque, she can look
upon these treacherous beaux, listen
to their sometimes duly conversation
and become acquainted with their in
evitable sincerity She ended with
little peal of laughter, and would
have slipped away among the dancers
it Roger had not begun.
"But I VOW"
"What, Sir Beau?'
"That you have but given me good
reason for your unmasking.'
"Then | have b.trayed myself
"But you will do it?' he pleaded.
"Never!'
She fled away and mixed with the
throng. But the masquerade had
meaning for Dunstanton now. By.
luck he had found her again, and yet
third time, and always his admira-
tion grew.
"Masques now, not masquerades,
are an abominati on" he said later.
But how much better to be cam
paigning," she laughed.
"How shall | know you again?'
care not the Low Countries
enougb?,' .-
"Be merciful!" he said
And for an instant she lifted her
masque, and be saw her. She was
more beautiful than he expected:
lips made for music, eyes full of laugh
ter.
And again leaving her merry laugh
ter in his ears she slipped into the
crowd.
Left to himself, Dunstanton could
not rest. He walked into the card
room, where he perceived that there
was most undisguised quarrel on it's
course. His cousin, who seemed to
have just staggered to his feet from
the ombre table, his face drenched with
wine, was facing an older man, equally
red-faced and furious, and struggling
to come to blows. a little crowd of
men stood about them, divided in sy ~
pathies Roger was hailed immedi-
ately.
"Ah, cousin!' said Watts, "you are
come in good time,
'What is the matte,?' r ,ger asked.
81 demand satisfaction from Sir
Harry Mayne,' said Watts. furiously.
(Which, | warrant, my father will
be most ready to give" said a young
man, stepping forward.
Some one introduced Roger to Mr..
Richard Mayne, and he found himself
hurriedly arranging a meeting with
pistols at o'clock in The morning be-
tween his cousin and Sir Harry-each
to bring a doctor and case of pis-
tos
For the rest, | conceive we can
settle it on the ground" said young
Mayne. Roger bowed. He was una