The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-05-13

Mask.
By ETHEL HARRINGTON.
Copyrighted. 1908, by Associated
Literary Press,

tue quiet OF Inc room MISS Mercer
elinched her teeth to keep back threat
ening tears.
II couldn't stand on that foot for one
minute, let alone dance" she exclaimed
to her younger sisters goyerneSs, who
stood slim and silent before the fire.
Il am truly sorry" the latter replied.
Jane said you sent for me to help you.
What can dol"
Take my place In the mlnuet.'
"0h, 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
whlms 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"
Il really cannot" Genuine distress
rang in the protest. 1.-The dancers arc
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 IL 1t helps you,
but CO.
Not to Mrs. Fitzray's. l 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 I
doubt II you ever met her"
Augusta shook her head. Don't be
a goose then" Miss Mercer shifted her
cushions with little meue of pain.
Bring that low chair and let me talk
10 you. Now listen" she coaxed when
her directions were obeyed. 1T would
be wiekedly selfish not to save the sit
uation. Aunty's masked ball has been
looked forward to as one of the events
OF the season. Our minuet of holly
and mstletoe' Is to be the piece de re-
sistanee. Aunty will never forgive me
II l am the cause of its being cut out"
ut would be ridiculous for one In
my position to take part In It," OBJ
jeeted the goyerness.
"Who will know or care SO long as
they get their fun"
"lf 1t We're only somewhere else
Augusta faltered, whereupon Miss
Mercer turned the averted face toward
her, holding it 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. $50 you're the girl" she said.
you might have trusted me-"
There was nothing to tell. would
not marry into family where l 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. or course ! now understand
your refusal of my request, but you
must reconsider the matter. No one
can recognize you with mask, and
you can leave directly after the min
uet. I'll mention no name, merely
write my aunt that friend has con-
scented to substitute. She'll be too
busy to be curious"
Thus It happened that when the ball
opened Augusta, a mere nobody, was
among the envled debutantes who par
tlcipated In the minuet. She was
thrilled at being in the house of the
man she loved and the possibility Of
learning how 1t had Jared with him
during the three years of silence that
had buried their happy courtship.
When Morgan's parents had discov-
cred his attachment for an unknown
college student bitter scenes had en-
sued, resulting In the young man leav-
Ing Harvard to win independent sue
cess In life.
Augustus pride forbade her CORE
spending with him, and after gradual
Ing she supported herself that her fa-
Their might be free to educate her Sis
tiers. That the MERGERS were related
to the Fitzrays she had not discovered
for some months, and after the first
shock Of the knowledge she decided to
retain her position, there being only
formal intercourse between the fami-
lies and therefore small chance of her
Identity being discovered
The brilliantly lllumined ballroom
was crowded when the eight young
couples swept into the center, the men
In picturesque square cuts" of green
and scarlet, the girls in gauzy white,
with frosty spangles and garlands of
Augusta, relying on her
mask, entered into the dance with a
grace and spirit that caused many OF
The spectators TO single her out for ia
yor. Rising from deep courtesy, her
eye was drawn TO one of the guests
who regarded her intently. Something
In the broad shoulders, the firmness of
the chin, visible beneath the black
mask, set her heart beating wildly
this TO be followed by sudden chill
Or the blood when she remembered
that Morgan had brother.
Nervous with alarm, she never knew
how she followed the intricacies of the
lance, though she must have acquitted
herself well, since Of the flowers that
oelted the dancers at the end a gener-
Gus share fell at her feet. Then. 81
lent among a laughing throng, she real
zed that her part In the festivities was
at an end. Pride and duty demanded
her withdrawal.
Il have secured your trophies" an
nounced some one at her side as she
reached the hall, and with 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
a waltz"
In eh fno