The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-09-03

ship was displayed in the greeting OF
Edna Westerman to her former class
mate. Marian Glenn. Not for three Ions
years. when they were graduated from
finishing school, had they met unit
now. at the station of .Crestmoor. Edna's
home, where Marian had come to pay 6
visit.
II haven't told anyone. dear, that
you were coming" said Edna, as they
drove homeward, because we are tc
| have quite an event tonight masked
ball, and thought you could have fur
mystifying people. It's not fancy
dress lust dominoes and masks. Broth
er Charlie will take us, and [ have q
mask and gown ready for you"
"That will be great fun replied Ma
rian. 81 hope you will give me an op,
portunity to know which one of the
many is your friend Wendall, of whom
you have written so much"
"Wendall's dear, and / will tell you
how we are to know each other. Nc
one else is in the secret. We are to
wear black dominoes, as is every one
but he and 1 have had red heart en-
DrO1QoroQ Oh our l0IC Sl66NeS-
$50 you will wear your hearts on your
sleeve, eh, Edna?"
Tonight, anyway"
A suspicion of a sore throat that Edna
experienced in the morning rapidly de-
veloped, and at o'clock that evening a
physician was called. Fearing tonsi-
litis, he strictly prohibited Edna's at
tendance at the ball. Whereupon Mar
ian declared that she would not 60. The
combined arguments and coaxing of Edna
and her young brother, however, pre-.
vailed.
'Now," said Edna, with a sigh of re-
lief, Il have plan. Wear my domino
and when Wendall comes up to you, as
he will Immediately, introduce yourself
and explain my absence. l have told
him so much about you he will not seem
stranger. He is good dancer.
know you will like him, but, Marian,
please don't cut me out. Are you heart
whole?"
Il am heart-whole, Edna" she replied
the look of sadness in her eyes belying
the slight smile she bravely summoned.
That night when she entered the ball
room with Charlie, a tall figure APP
preached her quickly and offered his
arm The little red symbol was on his
sleeve, and before she had time to speak
they were gliding down the smooth
floor to the rhythm of dreamy waltz
music, through which ran the lifting
note of an old love song.
Marian was conscious only of this one
sweet strain and that, in some mysteri-
Gus way, she was guided tenderly and
carefully over the crowded floor without
coming in contact with one of the many
couples. There was a sense of sustaining
strength in the arm about her form, and
when the music stopped she felt keen
disappointment. 1t seemed to her for
one sharp second as if everything had
ended She recalled what Edna had said
about this mans dancing.
She said he was good dancer" she
thought. 81 never knew what dancing
meant before"
Neither of them had as yet spoken.
He led her out ON one of the long veran-
tees so thoughtfully provided.
''Mr. Reeves, | will introduce myself,
and then deliver a message. 1 am
Edna's school friend, Marian Glenn.
Edna is ill, not seriously, but the doctor
would not allow her to come tonight, so
she sent me in her disguise to explain"
The start of surprise he gave when she
first spoke amused Marian. Tie didn't
reply at once, and fearing he was
alarmed at Ednas condition, she began
to reassure him.
II am sorry she is ill., he said in low,
moved tones. "but-"
Just then the strains Of the orchestra
foated out and he arose quickly. They
went into the ballroom. and Marian al
most dreaded to dance again, fearing
she might not experience a second time
the blissful sensations Of the first dance.
But her pleasure was only intensified.
Immediately after this dance, Edna's boy
brother claimed her. He was really a
good dancer and very graceful, but Mar
ian found herself longing for the music
to cease, and anxiously hoping her CO.
domino would ask her again. Once dur
ing the dance she saw him and it gave
Ter little thrill of pleasure to learn
that he was not dancing.
Her wish was granted and the domino
with the heart on bis sleeve asked her
for the next dance and Tor many more.
When the time fol unmasking arrived,
however, he had disappeared, and to Mar
ian's chagrin he did not again appear.
"He might have said goodnight" she
thought, and ner pleasure in the even
ing was at an end. When she returned
home, Edna called to her from her
room.
81 am much bettcr,'' she announced
"and l want to hear about Wendall
| Was he sOrrv?"
$50 sorry that he ouiy stayed part of
the evening, so | did not see him un-
masked"
The expression in Edna's eyes quite
indicated her appreciation of this act.
"Tell me about him. Did you like
| him?"
Z never knew anyone who danced SO
divinely, but he did not talk much. From
the surprise he evinced when I spoke
! first, it is evident he knows your voice
| perfectly
"He doesn't talk much-not until you
know him, but | will let you go to bed
now"
Marian went to bed, but not to sleep
at once. She felt an odd little pang
at the realization of Edna's interest in
him