The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
CindereIla'S
Mask.
By ETHEL HARRINGTON.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

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As the sound of sleigh bells broke
the quiet of the room Miss Mercer
clinohed her teeth to keep back threat
ening tears.
81 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.
81 am truly sorry" the latter replied.
"Jans said you sent for me- to help you.
What can dor"
Take my place In the minuet."
"Oh, mono; 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'll 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-
doned. It's fortunate you played for
some of the rehearsals and can wear
my gown"
II really cannot Genuine distress
rang In the protest. THE dancers are
all your friends. am not in society,"
when I wanted you to play the
other night you made no fuss Regard
it as an act of charity If 1t helps you.
but 60"
Not to Mrs. Fitzray's. | won't enter
her DOORS
The invalid raised herself on her ell
bow, regarding in establishment the
flushed cheeks Of the other girl.
THAT sounds as IL you held some
sort of grudge against aunty, and !
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 1T would
be wickedly selfish not to save the sit
uation. Auntys masked ball has been
of the season. Our minuet OF holly
and mistletoe Is to be the piece de re-
slstance. Aunty will never forgive me
II am the cause Of its being cut out"
at would be ridiculous for one In
my position to take part In It," Oh
jected the governess.
"who will know or care SO long as
they get their funY
"If 1t were only somewhere else,
Augusta faltered, whereupon Miss
Mercer turned the averted face toward
her, holding 1t firmly by the chin to
study the expression.
"You are keeping something back, "
she accused. BE honest! Oh-it's not
possible"- She half started up from
the lounge, to drop back, breathing
quickly. so you're the girl" she said.
"You might have trusted me-"
There was nothing to tell. | would
not marry into a family where was
not wanted"
Morgan said he would choose his
own wife, and my cousin Is not one to
change where his affections are con-
cerned OF course l now understand
your refusal of my request but you
must reconsider the matter. No one
can recognize you with a mask, and
you can leave directly after the min
uet I'll mention no name, merely
write my aunt that a friend has con-
scented to substitute. She'll be too
busy to be curious"
Thus 1t happened that when the ball
opened Augusta, a mere nobody, was
among the envled debutantes who par.
ticipated in the minuet She was
thrilled at being In the house of the
man she loved and the possibility of
learning how it had Jared with him
during the three years of silence that
had buried their happy courtship.
When Morgan's parents had dlscov