The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-19
AIT the Masked Ball
BY H. B. MARRIOTT WATSON



TIE swirl of the dancers occupied
the main body Of the hall, but the
outskirts were free, open promenades
In which the masks went to and fro
with animation in every pose of their
bodies.
Beauty was there, implicit in the
paraphernalia, but beauty latent, I'M
revealed, and Haunting itself in dis
gulse. Lord Francis eyes passed
across the shepherdesses, Marie An
toinettes, viyandieres, and rested for the
third time on the gray domino in the
aicove. She was in the costume of a
Spanish dancer, and she had not left
her post now for 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. us it" she
gan, hesitatingly, and then broke off,
Jack, how did you recognize me?" she
said, ecstatically.
DO you think I couldn't tell you in
thousand-ten thousand, mean?''
ne replied, with a wave of his hand at
the tnrong. She laughed a ioyous
laugh. Il thought should puzzle YOU,
you know, Jack, because I didn't give
you the slightest hint what I was go
ing as, did I? And auntie said you'd
never lind out, and But am so
glad you did. I've been trying to make
out which was you for ever SO long,"
Lord Francis seated himself comfort
ably. And now, how have you done
it % he asked.
oh, well, your ring, you know, Jack
the puzzle-ring. That was pretty
smart of me, wasn't 1t 2"
Wonderful perspicacity!" said Lord
Francis, with a glance of his hand.
And you've been trying to disguise
your voice" the gray domino went on,
u tilu1npnantiy It's very good imita-
tlon, Jack but 1t didn't take me in"
m SO glad" he declared. IT thought
I'd deceive you into taking me for some
one else."
On, no.. She shook her head merri-
~, 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 hearty
was latent here; he could told it from
the voice alone. The situation was
piquant
"Well?" he ventured at last.
do you know, Jack, you are looking
spiendid-really quite distinguished.
what made you think Of? 1 sup
pose it's the court dress. I didn't know
that you could be So
so What?' he asked, as she paused
On, nothing she replied, with a lit
tie laugh. And now>What do YOU
think of me?"
You, my dear girl, are adorable. as
always" he said, feeling that the in
t1macy thus discovered between them
justified the remark.
Jack, you are in an odd mood to-
night. I can't make you out" she said,
hes!tatingly.
IT'S the intoxication of the ball and
the company he explained lightly
But, come, am to have no reward 2"
Reward?" she asked, with an as
sumption of Indifference.
Yes, now that have found you"
He put out a hand tentatively, but
Carmen withdrew quickly.
Jack. Pn-IH never forgive you,"
she said, holly.
assure you I wasn't" he began
I only thought perhaps I might be
privileged to- obtain a dance Or
She looked away toward the dancers
But don't say you may not perhaps
do what 1 promised" she said hesitat-
ingly, "only auntie-''
oh. let's get rid of auntie. Let's lose
her at the DOORS suggested Lord
Francis quickly.
She laughed. you are rude, I don't
know what's come to you What
had she promised to do? "Only of
course, only if what 1 said happens,
you know" she ended meaningly. Oh,
what, thought Lord Francis, had she
said was to happen?
I shall take very good care it does
happen" he said. emphatically.