The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-06-03

reached the hall, and with a thrill of
JOY she knew that Morgan had indeed
returned. To leave before he had rec
ognized her became of vital Importance.
Yet how tear herself away when her
whole heart was in tumult for his
presence?
You will permit me-" he begged,
taking her card. I'm sure the next is
q waltz"
Augusta. shaking her head, endeav-
ored to slip away.
''You can't vanish So" he challenged,
dropping his mask. .'Will you follow
suit or must 1 wait the witching hour
of II to solve the mystery?"
Mystery repeated Augusta in a
curiously mufled voice.
But one girl dances like you" He
bent over her eagerly. Were it not
impossible l should think'-
Thought at 4 masqueradew Angus
ia leased; but, knowing that he spoke
Of herself, she grew reckless and, de-
spite the risk of delay, yielded TO his
plea for just one waltz.
The first led naturally to q second.
after which, because she could not sin
gle out FitZray for favor, she permit
ted others to fill her card. Many
| dances were ''halved" among impor-
tant partners, since about her hung the
fascination of real mystery, which with
most of the masks was but pretense
Augusta drifted in the intoxication Of
! Of !.
her lovers presence. For supper he
secured tiny table to themselves.
/ Strangely interested in his compan-
ion, yet knowing his suspicious to be
wildly improbable, he impatiently
awaited the striking of the clock. As
the first silvery chime rang through the
room the guests, amid gay raillery,
threw off their masks.
Augusta, casting one startled glance
about her, sprang to her feet, then ig-
ANONYMOUSLY fed, like Cinderella Of old,
leaving Fitzray to stare at her empty
chair. Reaching the hall a moment
later, the young man caught glimpse
of vanishing drapery on the stairs.
Imagining that the girl must return,
he waited with the best grace he could
muster, but at the sound of wheels
outside he flung wide the hall door
just in time to see a carriage disap-
pearing with all speed, while before
the servants gate lay a small object
dark against the snow-the silken mask
that had baf1ed him.
In the MERGERS schoolroom next
morning lessons dragged as never be-
fore, and the pupil wasted no regrets
when her governess was summoned to
her sisters room.
"Say something" demanded tina,
lady after having informed Augusta
that her cousin had been to see her
It seemed he had been so successful il
business, winning such golden opin
ions from his employer, that partner
ship was promised.
Uncle is so proud" she concluded
"He declares himself willing to receiv,
Morgan's chosen wife After which
news couldn't f1b. It scarcely seemed
to your interest, and you'd better g
down to him."
Instead of following this advice Au
| gusta dropped on her knees beside thu
lounge.
ITS been so lonely-I'm so happy,
she whispered incoherently.
Morgan didn't look overstocked witt
; patience" Miss Mercer warned as sh
pushed the girl gently away. Com,
; back directly he's gone" she com
, handed, and as the girl turned, with /:
smile, before closing the door her fac
v-ao hoortifY1I IN its fro,,ouIo,1c hapni
ness.
: Left alone, Miss Mercer lay quit
| still, watching the hands Of the clocl
slowly making the circle of the dial
? 81 wonder" she unused whimsically
''are fairies human enough to feel I
} wee bit lonely after they have brough
the lovers togetherp'