Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-14


stripped off my mask by sheer force of curiosity.
But he had to let the girl go; and as the music
began she was in my arms. | hardly dared be-
lieve my own luck. Neither of us spoke. |
was lost in the sense of her nearnesS, the knowl
edge that it was the music which gave me the
right to hold her thus, and that when the music
died l must let her go.
But quick thought came. If we danced the
waltz through Carmona some one else
would claim her for the next. If | could hide
the girl before it was over, perhaps | might
keep her for little time. Indeed. | must keep
her, if this meeting was not to end in failure;
for there were things had to say.
must speak with YOU | said at last.
" Where can we GO!
There is a card room at the end of the cor
rdor to the left, off the big hall, where we
might rest for moment or two she said
But ), mustn't stop long"
NO. l promised. 81 won't try to keep
you. l ask for only few moments. cant
tell how thank you for giving me those"
| threw a glance round for Carmona, and
saw him dancing with stately Mary Stuart
| guessed his partner to be Lady Vale Avon.
And when his back was turned l whlsked Lady
staircase in the square hall, and to the room at
the end of the corridor. There pushed aside
a portiere and followed her in.
She had been right; the room was unoccu-
pied, though two or three bridge tables were
ready for players. In one corner was small
sofa. The girl sat down, carefully leaving no
room for me, even had l presumed; and, lean
ing forward clasped her little hands nervously
round her knees
Then she looked UP at me through her mask
and did not keep her waiting.
have no invitation tonight, said ;
but had to come. l came to see you. Do
you forgive me for saying this?"
I-think So she answered
You would be sure, if you knew all.
81 do know. At least | mean But of
I To he with
According to convention, You oughtn't.
Yet"
&c am not thinking of conventions. But
Oh, should hate you to misunderstood!
/ could never misunderstood.
| snatShed off my mask and stood looking
down at her, knowing that my face would say
what was in my heart, and not now wishing to
hide the secret You know" said, that l
have worshiped you since the first moment |
saw you. 1t was impossible to meet you in any
ordinary way, for you have no friend who
would introduce you to the Marques de Casa
Triana. Have you ever heard that name be-
fore, Lady Monica ;"
Yes" she answered frankly. " ! heard it
yesterday, from Angelo de la Mole,
8 Her brother is friend of my best friend IS
Il know"
eff it hadn't been for him, should have had
great trouble in getting here tonight. Yet |
would have come Did Mademoiselle de la
Mole tell you that | loved your"
Lady Monica dropped her head and did not
answer, but the little hands were pressed
tightly together.
| have always been proud of my name" l
said though it is counted a misfortune to
bear it but when saw you, then knew for the
first time how great misfortune it may be-"
"Whv?"
Because my only happiness can come now
in having you for my wife; and even if | could
win your love, you wouldn't be allowed to
marry my fathers son"
Your father may have been mistaken" the
girl faltered. D." do think he was But he was
a gloriously brave man. Even the enemies
against whom he fought must respect his
memory. 1--we read of him. bought a
book yesterday. You see have thought about
you. l couldn't help it. We saw each other
only those few minutes, and we didn't even
speak; yet somehow it was different from any
thing else that ever happened to me-
1T was fate" l said. We were destined
to meet, and | was destined to love you. If
thought | could make you care, that would
give right couldn't have otherwise; the
right to try and win your love, and beat down
every obstacle"
g l could do care!' she whispered. Even
if l was never to see you again, should not
forget. This would be the romance of my life. !"
Angel" l said. And then she took off her
mask, with such divine smile that 1 could
have knelt at her feet at the shrine of saint.
Isn't it wonderful" she said. 81 didn't
find out your name till yesterday, though tried
before: and we don't know each other at all "