The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1907-01-10

s THE GIRL IN RED s
& BY III. NJ. Gardner 6

By III. M. Gardner


head downward. | landed on the back
of my neck and then rather dazedly
sat up. Surrounding me on every side
was a laughing, jesting crowd. Knight
errants, clowns, monks, colonial
danes and sportive misses whose abb
breviated skirts allowed a display OF
dainty turned ankles, were hilarious
over my discontinue.
l tried to join in their march-but
dull sickening feeling overcame me.
| suddenly awakened to my true self
and my thoughts returned to Nell
dear trusting girl, awaiting alone at
home for my return. With conscience
severely pricking, l staggered to my
feet. Disguised and mentally berat.
ing myself for being an ass, turned
to leave the hall.
A girl attired in red; red dress, red
slippers, red gloves, red hat and red
mask, fitted past me. l stopped alb.
ruptly. The figure was strangely ia.
miliar. l stood, bewildered, puzzled
and then, as my gaze followed the red
masked figure whirling about the ball
room, my breath came quick and
short. The nails of my clinched hands
dug deeply into the flesh.
"Ah / saw it all, now. / saw why
she was so anxious l should go to
lodge. Never could l have dreamed
of such thing-such treachery, such
wanton deceit. But here"
The music ceased playing and the
dancers were leaving the floor. Lean
ing on the arm of cavalier, she en-
tered the palm room.
Would follow?" My hesitation
was only momentary. My wrath and
indignation increased with each pass
ing moment and the thoughts crowd
ing through my brain, made me fran
tic. l walked quickly across the floor
and sayagely brushed aside the cur
tains.
staggered back, clutching the
; draperies for support. My head
seemed to swing and a mist gathered
before my eyes.
The fellow had deliberately kissed
her.
There they sat, her head resting
contentedly on his shoulder and he
holding her in tight embrace.
And l, fool that l was, thought her
home, fretful and anxious for my re-
turn. The sight maddened me to
! desperation.
A few swift strides and stood be-
fore them. The man angry at my
| intrusion, attempted to arise, but be-
! fore he could do so, seized him by
! the shoulders and with almost super
human strength, hurled him from me,
| sprawling to the floor. Turning l
gazed at his companion, who covered
| trembling in the seat.
so this, was why you were so
eager, that l should go to lodge?
Wanted to meet this chivalrous lover
of yours. eh?"
Contemptuously gazed down on her,
Every muscle and fiber in me longed
to send her to the floor, following heI
cringing paramour. Savagely my
hands clinched and unclinched.
This gay Lothario; who is he?" ]
demanded.
Fearfully her hand sought the mask
as If to remove it, but after a mo.
ment's pause. fell mechanically back
into her lap. The engagement dia.
mond sparkled on her gloved finger
Its dazzling brilliancy mocked me and
wanted to tear it from her hand.
Damn it, can't you speak, can't
you talk?" | cried. Lets see your
face-lets see If II has any shame
in it?"
She attempted to arise.
Reaching forward with savage
jerk, tore away the mask.
The revelation staggered me.
| beheld-not my wife-but the
cook.
She had appropriated jewelry and
wardrobe from the mistress.
Copyright, 1906, by Daily Story Pub. Co.