The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-10-28

MT IS true, ana YET IL Is SOFT and
roomy. ain uneasy. Perhaps you
recall to my subconsciousness a period
in my former existence " earth. OF, If
you WILL one of my ancestors"
Il fail TO understand"
well, a Hillard POO years ago had
his head cut off by an AK. His execu-
toner wore a mask"
"A mistake. Your ancestor should
have been hanged"
And l along with him, you would
imply"
Are you not Irish? | have known
freshmen Of the name of Hillard."
They were in disguise. But l have
generous strain of Irish blood in me:
otherwise | shouldn't have had the
courage to follow up an adventure like
this"
Thanks. The compliment is rather
ambiguous"
My compliments cannot possibly be
more ambiguous than your appearance.
Surely there viii be an hour for I'M
masking"
1T has already begun. Mr. HIlard."
80 l am the one who is to be I'M
| masked? Well, | have only the mask
nature gave to me. l wish she had
been more liberal. But | shall see
what can be done with it,"
He took note of her teeth and felt
sudden tinge of regret One may dis
guise the face and hair. but the teeth
are always the same Two lower teeth
on the right side appeared TO be gone:
the others We're firm and gliSteuing
white. 1t was a pity, for Il woman's
teeth are as much her glory as her
hair
Silence. The rudy light on her hair
fascinated him.
"What is it, she demanded.
'YOUr hair" with simplicity which
silencrd her. You have the most
beautiful hair have ever seen"
THANK YOU. And yet, for all you
know, it may be Il fine wig"
III it is I shall never be sure Of
anything again. Am in prosaic New
York? Have you not by some carpet
magic transported me to old Europe:
II dozen conspirators came in in
cowls to render me the oath | should
not be at all surprised"
There is no magic, only a mask"
And there is no way of seeing be
hind that
None absolutely none. ! am told
that you are a gentleman. SO 1 am
confident that you will not stoop to
use force"
only the force of eloquence, If ever
! may lay claim to that again"
You are beginning well, for tell
you. Mr.. Hillard. | shall expect but
the most brilliant wit from you to-
night. AS for me- | shall only inter
potato occasionally Now. begin"
Il am not used to dancing without
the pole"
You must learn. Dancer
Upon what-nothing: And how
shall | know that my dancing pleases
your
Il agree to tell you. wear this
mask tonight because | am taking a
surreptitious leaf out of my book OF
cares.
You are, then, seeking a diversion?
Nothing more OF less. DO not fat
ter yourself that there Is anything per.
sonai or romantic on my SIDE. | am
bored"
Il am wholly in your hands" he said.
and they are very beautiful hands"
is there anything more beautiful
than a cats paw when the claws are
hidden? Never judge woman by her
hands" Nevertheless she buried her
hands in the depths of a down pillow.
She had forgotten her rings She slip
ped them Off ana managed TO hide
them.
Il promise TO remember. Your let
ters'- he began diliidenty. Where the
deuce was his tongue! Was he TO be
tongued tied all the evening before this
ColumDine. who. with the aid of her
mask, was coveruy laughing at his
awkwardness?
My letters? woman often writes
what she will not say and says what
she will not write. Did you not ask
me to disillusion your
Yes. but softly, softly. l begin to
believe one thing-you brought ME here
to teach me lesson. Gentlemen should
never use the personal column"
Nor should ladies read it. | am not
saving any mercy for myselfw with
laughter.
Shall | begin with my past?"
Something less horrifying. If you
please"'
Il object to the word nice" he said
Il should have preferred milksop,
Hadn't you better try some new kind
OF torture?"
This time her laughter was RELAXED
and joyful. And somehow Hillard felt
more at ease. He was growing accus-
toned to the mask He stretched his
legs and fingered his neither lip.
Have you not somewhere an in
visible cloak
Il had one that night. which nature
lent me-" she answered readily 81
was so invisible to you that | heard
the policeman call out your name. |
thank you for insisting that l was not
chorus lady"
Here was revelation which &C
counted for many things. II haven't
been very fortunate so far in this ad
venture "