Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-05

. There are lots of other things to do."
 And there's all night to do them in," said Potter, "I dare say we shall be lost for m hour or so yet. We've been wandering around from one path to another. and we've never seen the same thing twice. so perhaps there's q lot more to explore"
 You must know" l said Tt wasn't kept secret from you as 1t was from me. You must have been through this maze heaps of times, and of course you know the way out
 If l did Pve forgotten it," Potter coolly remarked. Then he changed his tone. You make me forget every thing, Betty-everything but yourself"
 You're not to call me Betty" said grossly. for was tired of having con. versations like that. And l thought that I would be having much more fun with some one else, for what is the good of wearing mask if you are only 10 talk with people you know?
 There's something else I'd great deal sooner call you" he half whis- pered. Come into this little dell where the fountain is and the orange trees. and let me tell you"
 "I don't want to know" said.
 "Yes, you do. Come along, anyhow, and I'll pick you an orange. Perhaps there'll be something nice inside 1t. like there was In the toad's head"
 wasn't to be bribed in that way, but he took hold of my hand and pulled, so that had to go with him unless I wished to resist and be silly. Several people were coming toward us around the twist of the path, and one tall man ahead of the others, dressed very plainly like Puritan, was look ing hard at us. Rather than make q scene went quietly with Potter, but as soon as he had whisked me into the little dell with the orange trees and the fountain, he pushed one of the trees and 1t moved forward in a groove, so as to block up the entrance and hide the dell from any one who walked along the path.
 "That's not bad trick, is it?' said he. q had that arranged on purpose" {"
 "On purpose for what" was silly enough to ask.
 "To bring you here and get you to myself. This is Betty's bower, but nobody knows it except you and me-"
 With that he pulled off his mask and made as if he would help me to do the same with mine, but l stepped back afd almost tumbled over into the foun- tain. Perhaps I would if he hadn't caught me round the waist, but in- stead of letting go when he had steadied me on my feet he drew me closer to him. l gave a twist and a little angry cry. and just then, to my joy, some one from outside pushed the orange tree back in its groove so as to leave an opening again.
 I darted out and caught glimpse of the tall Puritan man, who was appar- ently engaged in pulling the tree for ward so as to close the gap and shut Potter in.
 It was so quick that hardly had time to understand whether it was being done for my sake or not, but I didn't stop to think; I simply ran. I met harleqnins and queens, kings and columbines hunting in couples Ghe green alleys were only broad enough for two), but I pushed by them and went fitting down path after path, though voices called after me and peo- pie pretended to shiver with cold as Frost passed.
 Then, suddenly, "I think this is a way out" said voice 1 knew, speak ing just behind me. It was the voice of my brown man. I could have recog- nized it among thousands. But then looked it was the tall figure of the gray Puritan who had helped me to get away from Potter Parker.
 l didn't answer word, not even to say Thank you" or 'Is this really you, Mir Brett:" l just went in the direction he said, and in another min ute l was out under the Italian per gola, draped with roses and wistaria, that runs for long way overlooking the sea. Then glanced over my shoulder, and he was there but hesi- tating as if he hadn't decided whether to come with us or go back.
 When saw this did stop and num- ble in low voice. Tt is you, isn't it, MT. Brett?"
 "Yes," he answered. 'I hope you forgive me-"
 "Oh, thank you" said I. "I-want- ed to come away. But how did you know that-and how did you know me"
 "I couldn't help seeing that you were being pretty well forced to do something you didn't want to do," he replied, coming few steps nearer. and there seemed to be nobody under the pergola except just us two. T don't suppose had any right to be angry at seeing that happen, but was. So did what did on the spur of the moment As for recognizing you-I-well, you're rather tall, you know, and have way of holding your head that-that isn't easily forgotten"
 I'm sorry I'm so badly disguised" said, laughing. But I'm glad you knew me. I'm so glad. too, that I'm out here. began to have-quite a stifed feeling. How lovely it is in this pergola. isn't it? Do you think we might walk for few minutes and get coolg'