The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-06-12
Cinderelld'S
Mask.
BY ETHEL HARRINGTON.
Copyrighted. 1905. by Associated
Literary Press.

the quiet or the room MISS Mercer
clinched her teeth to keep back threat
euing tears.
II couldn't stand on that foot for one
minute, let alone dance" she exclaimed
TO her younger sisters governess, who
stood slim and silent before the fire.
II am truly sorry" the latter replied.
"Jane said you sent for ME to help you.
What can doi"
Take my place In the minuet."
"0h. no-no: | couldn't do that
you'll have to-" groaned Miss Mer-
Ger. with decision. Being fond OF Au-
gusta Park. she treated the young de-
pendent with confidence and consider
alton beyond her position. but expected
In return cheerful yielding TO her own
whims or comfort. "I'n write to Aunt
Enid explaining the accident to my
ankle and that you will take my place.
so that the dance need not be aban-
coned. It's fortunate you played for
some of the rehearsals and can wear
my gown"
IL really cannotr' Genuine distress
rang in the protest "rhe dancers are
all your friends. am not In society,"
when l wanted you to play the
other night you made no fuss. Regard
1t as an act of charity II II helps you.
but CO."
Not to Mrs. Fitzray's. went enter
her DOORS
The invalid raised herself on her ell
bow. regarding In establishment the
flushed cheeks Of the other girl.
THAT sounds as II you held some
sort of grudse against aunty. and i
doubt If you ever met her"
Augusta shook her head. Don't be
a goose then" Miss Mercer shifted her
cushions with a little moue Of pain
Bring that low chair and let me talk
to you. Now listen" she coaxed when
her directions were obeyed. lit would
be wickedly selfish not to save the sit
uation. Aunty's masked ball has been
looked forward to as one Of the events
If the season. Our minuet Of holly
and mistletoe' is to be the piece de re
sistance. Aunty will never forgive me
II ain the cause Of Its being cut out.
1T would be ridiculous for one In
my position to take part in It." OBJ
jected the goyerness.
Who will know or care so long "a
they get their fun?"
eff Ii were only somewhere else
Augusta faltered. whereupon Mis-
Mercer turned the ayerted face towar'
her, holding 1t firmly by the chin t
study the expression.
"You are keeping something back.
she accused. BE honest: Oh-it's no
possible She half started up from
the lounge, 10 drop back, breathing
quickly. $50 you're the girl" she said
You might have trusted me-"
There was nothing to tell. | woul'
not marry into a family where ] wa
not wanted"
Morgan said he would choose hi
own wife, and my cousin IL not one t
change where his affections are con
cerned. or course | now UNDERSTAND
your refusal Of my request, but yo'
must reconsider the matter. No on
can recognize you with a mask. an
you can leave directly after the min
net I'll mention no name, merei
write my aunt that friend has cor
scented to substitute. She'll be TO
busy to be curious"
Thus 1t happened that when the ba
opened Augusta. mere nobody. wa
among the envied debutantes who pat
ticIpated In the minuet. She wa
thrilled at being In the house Of tn
man she loved and the possibility O
learning how Ii had Jared with hir
during the three years Of silence tina
had buried their happy courtship.
When Morgan's parents had dIsco'
cred bis attachment for an unknow
college student bitter scenes had eI
sued. resulting In the young lnan Leaf
Ing Harvard to win independent SD,
cess In life.
Augustus pride forbade her corr,
spending with him. and after gradua
Ing she supported herself that her a
Their might he free 10 educate her siI
J tiers. That the MERGERS were relate
to the FItzrays she had not iiscovere
for some months, and after the llr
shock Of the knowledge she decided I
retain her position, there being onl
formal intercourse between the fam
lies and therefore small chance 81 h.
identity icing discovered.
The brilliantly Iilumined ballroo
was crowded when the eight your
couples swept Into the center. the mt
In picturesque square cuts" OF gree
; and scarlet the girls In rnuzy whit
with frosty spangies and gariands
snistIetoe. Augusta. relying on h
mask. entered into the dance With
r-ace aud spirit that caused many
I1s spectators 10 single her out for 4
vor. Rising from a deep courtesy. b
eye was drawn 10 one Of the CUES
who regarded her intcntiy. somcthlt
In the broad shoulders, the flrmness
the chin. visible beneath the bla,
mask, set Der heart beating wildly
this TO he followed by n sudden ch
u the blood when she remember,
/ skzS Ngw@m.mss N~I