The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-12
The Mandarn's Courtship:
Story Of Masquerade Ball

j an III tnelT proper places, were inc h''"i"h
Z human.
The mask expressed Mother sorrow.
merriment nor surprise 1t gazed iorth
with a placid calm which instantly pro-
J voked a burst Of wild laughter My com
/ rades leaned weakly against the wall mold
. ing their sides.
Yours will be the best costume there"
/ they cried
And when looked in the glass !, while
my heart was ready to break and the tears
smarted behind my eyallda. too, could
not keep from laughing they had done;
Remember we have sworn not TO take
of our masks under any circumstances
Agreed! Agreed
My mask was. indeed the most original
at the ball Several groups followed me
at once, twisting me and turning me like
top from one side to another. And when,
with threatening gestures, turned sharply
about 70 escape my tormentors there was
a general shout of wild laughter
The circlng crowd kept in my path so
that | could not move and at last the CON
tagion of their folly caught me and laughed
and screamed and sang.
How far away that gay world seemed
and how lonely was under my mask.
At last saw her
1t is l. whispered agerly.
She raised her white eyelids slowly
silveTy laugh answered me.
Yes. it il |! Why why did you not
Gomez"
She only laughed. laughed aways
What is the natter" cried peadngly
81 l. it really yout" she replied. between
two pedls Of merriment. "Oh, how funny
you are and how grutesquei'
My head fell heavily upon my breast.
my whole attitude betrayed real suffering
She watched the dancers whiring by.
All but you are cruel to laugh in this
way. Can YOU not guess. can you not see
beneath this horrible mask the sorrow
thar fills my heart? Why did you lead me
on 70 hope only to awaken me so cruelly?'
Size turned toward me. protest on her
lips. But rs she lifted her eyes to mine.
a cruel laugh shook her body. Breathleas,
her eyes wet with tears. her face buried in
the lace of her handkerchief she said weak
Iy
Oh. in p,y-look at Yourself in the mir
ror there Heavens. but you are
Grinding my teeth in agony, ! looked
over into the mirror A face, placid and in
different met my gaze, a physiognomy
unnaturally immovahie. |, too, God help
me. | too laughed loudly.
But before her laughter died away upon
her lips 7 cried in voice that trembled
with despair and anger
No. no. you have no right to laugh so!'
She was Quiet from utter WEAKNESS.
hen, softly told her Of my love Never
had been so eloquent. for never had
loved so deeply rs that hour rclated all
my fortunes during the long ages of waiting
! told her. Of the wild jealousy that made
my life hell.
She hushed Then with utter abandon,
her slender body swaved toward me Dressed
as goddess Of the night, the folds of black
lace sown with stars, she WAS beautiful
and mysterious as a dream Of far away
smile crept about the corners Of her /
red lips, slowly, with infinite confidence.
she turned her head toward me and -
No Mover have J heard such laughter
oh, | cannot cannot"
Her head thrown back. she tremhlcd |
with merrment
What would | not have given then. if /
only for an Instant. for human face The /
blood tnckled from my bitten lips. tears f.
hathed my fevered cheeks And the mask /
Nh that idiotic physiognomy. where all /
was regular and lifeess; that face looked |
back at me with it's changeless air of in
difference. f1ghtful. horrible, in its inn
1ccile fNlty
As ! fed madly from the room. still her
-ilvery laughter followed me, like a noun
ain stream running merriy downward
md dashing with joyous music. against
stone!
Scattered in the sleepy and deserted
street nv comrades started to regain the
'ostumer's shop. filing the quiet night air
With their cries and excited voices
DO you know that YOU were the success
y! the evening" | never dreamed that
leople could laugh soi But what are Won
long Are YOU taking on your costume
omrades, he is crazy - look at him-he
s tearing bis mask 10 pieces What-yes.
- Is sohhnR