The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1907-02-27

NHGu lHey give Sou ii IIdSh at d
ball they also give you the key to all
manner of folly and impudence. Even
stupid people become witty, and the
witty become correspondingly daring.
For all I knew. the Blue Domino at
my side might be Jones' wife. or
Browns or Smiths. or even Green's;
but SO long as / was not certain, 1t
mattered not in what direction my
whimsical fancy took me. ut is true
that ordinarily Jones and Brown and
Smith and Green do not receive in
fashionable hunt clubs: but some
how they seem to worry along with
out these equivocal honors, and pros
per. Still. there are persons in the
swim named Johnes and Smythe and
Browne and Greene. Pardon this
parenthesisD
AS l recollected the manner in
which I had self-invited the pleasure
of my company to this carnival at
the Blankshire Hunt club, smiled
behind my mask. Nerves, / ought to
have been professor of clinics in
stead of an automobile agent. But
the whole affair appealed to me so
strongly l could not resist it. was
drawn into the tangle by the very fas-
cination of the scheme. l was an
interloper, but nobody knew 1t. The
ten of hearts in my pocket did not
match the backs of those cards regu.
larry issued. But what of that? Every
one was ignorant of the fact. I was
safe inside; and all that was roman
tic in my system was aroused. There
are always some guests who cannot
avail themselves of their invitations;
and upon this vague chance l had
staked my play. Besides, / was de-
termined to disappear before the
hour OF unmasking. wasn't going
to take any unnecessary risks.
was, then, fairly secure under my Ca
puchin's robe.
Out OF my mind slipped the previous
adventures of the evening. ! forgot,
temporarily the beautiful unknown at
Mouquin's. forgot the sardonic-lipped
stranger had met in Friard's. i for
got everything save the little ticket
that had accidentally slipped into my
package. and which announced that
some one mad rented blue domino.
And here was a Blue Domino at my
side, just simply dying to have me
talk to her!
Il am madly in love with yoL."
began. Il have followed you often;
have seen you in your box at the op-
era; have seen you whirl up Fifth
avenue in your fine barouche; and
hara 1act I
my hands passionately.
MY beautiful barouche! MY box
at the opera." the girl mimicked.
What cheerful Ananias you are!"
Thou art the most enchanting
creature in all the universe. Thou art
even turquoise, a patch of radiant
summer sky, eyes of sapphire, lips"
archaic. very archaic" she inter-
rupted.
'Disillusioned in ten seconds" l
cried, dismally. How could you?"
She laughed.
Have you no romance? Can You
not see the fitness of things? II you
have not a box at the opera, you
ought at least to make believe you
have. History walks a out us, and
you call the old style archaic! That
hurts,"
"Methinks, Sir Monk"
There! That's more like it. By
my haldiom, that's the style!'
odds bodkin, you don't tell me-"
There was second ripple of laughter
from behind the mask. 1t was rare
music.
Il could fall in love with you!"
There once was a Frenchman who
said that as nothing is impossible. let
us believe in the absurd. | might be
old enough to be your grand mother"
lightly.
Perish the thought"
Perish it, indeed"
1.-THE mask is the thing!" cried.
enthusiastically. You can make love
to another mans wife"
"Or your own, and nobody is the
wiser,
y I'VE are getting on
Eyes, we are getting on. both in
years and in folly. What are you do
ing in a monks robe? Where is your
motley, gay fool?"
81 have laid 1t aside for the night.
On such occasions as this. fools dress
as wise men, and wise men as fccls;
everybody goes about in disguise"