The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
A MONK WAS HE
BY LILY A. LONG.

TN HERE was a sound of revelry by
 night from the Calvert cottage ! A dozen neighboring cottagers had come in for the impromptu mas uuerade with which young Mrs. Calvert and her lively sister Betty Bellamy were entertaining some weekend viSl- tors from town. When the available people in a neighborh hood are limited in number and their faces ar familiar to the point of weariness, masks ana costumes are a great help toward re- storing the element of The Unknowa- ble, whcih is, after all, the chle1 iu- terest in human intercourse.
 Mrs. Calvert, who had not masked, though she had transformed herself into a demure shepherdess by an inn provised crook, shortened skirts ana d wide hat with huttering strings nov cred on the outskirts of the laughlns crowd and kept an eye on the shaoo"y hath under the trees that led up iroih the station. Edward was late mex cusably late for host, though iortu- nately his guests couldn't be sure ne was not among them. She was pe- ginning to hold down hysterical vis- ions of horrible accidents, when h9f anxious eye caught sight of hand Reckoning imperiously through a crack of the kitchen door. With Sudueh lifting of spirits she slipped out ana threw herself into the arms that were attached to the imperious hands.
 "Edwardl Whatever kept you? had to let them begin dancing Withoot you" That's all right. waited for the 7:45 so as to bring Richards out with me-the man who used to do for me in my bachelor days, you know we simply had to have somebody, and the so-called intelligence offices have near ly reduced me to gibbering idiocy. Not a girl of them has any use Tor the simple life Richards will stay Tor few days and lend an air of worldly prosperity to the cottage while our friends are here"
 "Oh. darling, aren't you clever"
 well" he hesitated. with ostenta- tious modesty.
 "Where is hep
 "Upstairs. smuggled him in the back way, so that no one would suspect ms transient character. He is to hang around and wait for orders"
 Well hurry now and dress, dearest' and come in as soon as possible.
 That's what I called you out for. l can't find my costume.
 Edward! What did you do with it?" T don't know. I brought it out from town yesterday in my suit case, but l
  I did with the suit case"
 Isn't 1t in your room?'
 'No; I took my things out of my room when I put Harker in it. Haven't you seen it about the house?"
 NO. Everything is so upset. what was your costume, dear?"
 "Oh, aren't you cunning? And Wouion you like to know?"
 Nell Calvert laughed ripping little laugh of sheer pleasure. She had had no thought of catching him, but It was nice of him to think her clever enough to do it. and clever of him to refuse to be caught Then her responsibilities as hos tess recalled her to the lesser subtletles
 "oh, I know what you can do, dearest, Put on this monks gown. sBetty hung 1t here-for an emergency, she said.
 "That's a new name for Harry Van voorhis. Hasn't he come, thenr
 sNo He sent word that he had been detained in town. Let me help you. Oh, Edwardl I'd never know you in the worldt''
 My own costume was much hand ;omer," said Edward regretfully, as he girded himself with the hempen cord. .but I suppose a monk should lay aside worldly pride and personal vanity. It's better than nothing. Run on in and I'll slip around and come in by the front door,"
 But Nells responsibilities as hostess had fluttered away into the starry night. She was regarding Edward with wist- full look.
 "I'm glad you are not truly monk, she said lingeringly.
 .So am I. I couldn't have married you if I had been How does this hood go?' And you aren't sorry you married me, are you, dearest?"
 "Goosie! Does this thing tie in front or at the side?"
 q suppose am. But sometimes wake up in the night and wonder If Judge