Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-07-27
A CARNIVAL STORY.
BY s. Hahn.

midst OF the carnival season. Every
night masked crowds went through
the streets, and from everywhere the
strains Of dance music floated through
the air.
Professor Ewald Pietschke, teacher Of
ancient history at the famous univer-
sity, was sitting in his study In deep
meditation. His wife and daughter had
just made a joint attack on him to
make him give his consent TO Miss Jo-
seph's going to the costume ball OF the
Fidelitas society, but stern and unbend-
ing he had refused even to discuss the
plan.
Mrs. Pietschke had left him deeply
hurt, and during the next three days
Josepha's eyes were red from crying
But on the fourth morning she came
down to the breakfast table with a
smiling face, to the great surprise of
her mother. From the look In her eyes
it was evident that mischief was brew
ing.
In the afternoon, when Cousin Henry
came around, as usual, his pretty
cousin drsv him aside.
Henry
What is 1t Josepha?"
But Josepha only sighed and looked
exceedingly unhappy.
"Oh, Henry!"
Good gracious, girl, what is h mat
ter?"
Il have something to ask you"
Why don't you ask me, thenY'
II will, but promise you will say yes,
lear Henry"
IF you will say my own darling
Henry maybe l WILL"
II will do anything you want If you
will only say yes"
If you will do anything 1 want, I
will say yes on the spot
"But-Henry."
Now, first give me a kiss. and IL we
do not agree l promise to give 1T back
to YOU"
Josepha pouted a moment. then went
over to her cousin and gave him a KISS
that nearly took his breath away.
Then they went down into the gar
den. From the dining room window
Mrs. Pietschke saw them and smiled.
Henry would make a very desirable
son-in-law; he was a fine fellow and
had plenty Of money.
She saw them talking very eagerly
for quite some time. and then they
walked back to the house.
do you know. Josepha, that esca-
pade might have very unpleasant re-
suits IL the old man finds Us out"
We'll, he can't teal our heads Off
and, besides, he will never know: you
just ask your sister to invite me to
stay with her a couple OF days"
"Oh, that is easy. She will jump at
1t, just for the fun Of the thing"
Henrys sister. LoIo. q most worthy
matron Of %, did jump at 1t, and she
started right in to make a costume for
Josepha. Henry and his cousin were
TO so as Pierrot and Pierrette.
AS the time drew nearer Henry
seemed to lose courage, and at last
fatty refused t carry out his part, but
xthat nntYId hn do alnna AGAINST two
women, one of whom he was desper-
ately in love with. He had given his
promise and had to keep 1t.
The great ball room was aglare with
light and filed with a gay and reckless
crowd when the two cousins arrived
chaperoned by Sister L.olo in a scarlet
domino.
The charming little Pierrette, who
danced like a fairy, was generally ad-
,.,ired.
did you ever seen anything like
her? Her feet hardly seem to touch
the floor" and other similar remarks
were heard everywhere, and she rave
herself up to full enjoyment OF her
stolen pleasure.
A tall, lanky gentleman in the cos
tune of an English lord as he is usual
ly portrayed on the stage was partic-
ularly smitten with her dainty little
figure, half child and half woman He
followed her everywhere n whispered
compliments into her ear.
Never In her life had she enjoyed an
evening so much. and she was a very
sad little Pierrette when Cousin Henry
came to her to remind her that 1t was
time to depart.
1T is nearly II o'clock" he said, land
you know all masks must be dropped.
Let us hurry out"
The English lord was not less sorry
than she.
If 1 only dared to stay until the
masks are dropped" he said to himself.
II should like to see the face of that
darling little Pierrette. 1 think I will
risk 1t. My good old wife is sleeping
the sleep Of the just and will never find
out"
Just then he saw her going toward
the door and hurried after her. The
clock struck IL just as he reached her.
Beautiful creature" he whispered.
"the hour has come. Dare / ask you to
let me see your charming face?"
She hesitated a moment.
IF your lordship wiz let me remove
your mask you may remove mine she
said, with deep courtesy, and IL we
know one another we swear never to
tell"
1 solemnly swear.
"One-two-three,S Cousin Henry
counted, and the mask fell. Henry and
Josepha looked In establishment into the
face of-the worthy Professor Pietsch-
he.
AS for the professor, he seemed
turned into stone.
The next day the engagement Of the
two cousins was announced.
Papa Pietschke has always been a
very meek father-in-iaw-and for very
good reasons