The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-06-04
Her Great Secret

girl wearing the gingham apron pass
ed very close to his table before he
asked the question that had been on
his lips all day.
Coin to the jolly Three's masQuer-
ade Saturday night?" he inquired.
Sure am" she laughed over her
shoulder, as she passed on. "All the
girls is goin'. What would l stay
home for?"
While this admission brought O
certain quantity of balm to Tommy's
troubled soul, it was not all he sought
to know. In fact, his inquiry was but
preliminary to the main question,
which he proceeded to put when the
pretty girl returned from the stock
room and smiled in the most tantaliz-
ing way as she drew near his table.
What are you goin' as, Kit?" he
asked, innocently, pretending to be
vastly interested in the mechanism
of a nail puller. Pm goin' to be a
cowboy" he added, in burst of con-
fidence.
"Ah, wouldn't you like to know,
thought" said Kitty, lingering a mo-
ment to enjoy his discontinue. you
got a nerve! What would tell you
for, an have you tip me off to every
body? / should say not!"
Honest, wouldn't, Kit" protested
Tommy earnestly. II just sort o.
wanted to know for myself. It's more
fun when you know somebody before
they unmask. l wouldn't give you
away, Kit"
Sure, you wouldn't" she retorted,
because you won't have no chance. I
amt goin to tell even my mother
what I'm goin' as. You wait an see."
The next day Tommy kept his eyes
and ears open for chance information
about the masquerade, with especial
reference to the disguises to be as
sumed by the girls of the factory.
However, news was scarce and diff
cult to obtain. Otto, the apprentice
boy, was his chief Investigator, but
Otto's reports were lacking in the
personal element most interesting to
Tommy.
''They's bunch of 'em goin' as
Jockeys whispered Otto after Tom
my had bribed him with a cigarette to
tell all he had overheard at the vari-
Gus tables in the big room. AN two
is goin' to be neWspapers-their dress
es will be all made out O. newspapers.
Them is the two big ones at the last
counter near the fire escape" added
Otto.
Tommy's interest in this informa-
tion was but lanquid.
"Wnats Kitty goin' to wear?" he
demanded. Didn't you get wise to
that?"
(Which one is Kitty?" asked Otto.
1omms looked his disgust.
That's Kitty-the one with the big
bunch Of hair over there near Ran
sons desk" he explained in guarded
tones. The pretty one," he added,
with a smile glance at the boy.
"Oh, herr" said Otto. That's the
one | heard Ransom askin' what she
was goin' as an she said she wouldn't
tell nobody"
Saturday came and found Tommy
no wiser as to the great problem of
the hour. The shop was teeming with
gossip OF the masquerade. There was
even a wild rumor, which could be
traced to no authentic source, that
Ransom intended to lay aside his i'm
pressive dignity as foreman for one
evening and attend the reception of
the Jolly Three.
Along in the afternoon Kitty con-
trived to get near his table and es-
cape Ransom's altogether too watch
message to Tommy.
Say, got good joke on RANSOM"
she said.
Have you?" asked Tommy, bright
ening visibly. What is it? You can't
make me sore stringin' him."
Kitty tossed her head a bis at this.
81 don't know what license you've
got to get sore or get glad over his
troubles" she retorted. Anyway.
lemme tell you. He's been just crazy
to find out what I'm goin' as tonight"
"He amt the only one," said Tom
my.
well, wouldn't tell him." pursued
Iue pretty SlTl, just UeCduSe WASH L
goin' to tell nobody-it's more fun
that way. But | found out that Miss
Hasenbeck, you know, that one that's
scrappin' with him about chewin' to-
bacco around where there's ladies'
] found out she was goin' tonight as
trained nurse. So told Ransom on
the dead quiet that l was goin' as a
nurse. He'll think she's mel" con-
cluded Kitty joyously.
81 don't see what he's trailin'
around to find out what you're goin'
to wear for" he snapped. He makes
me sick"
Kitty smiled archly. "Oh. go on!"
she said. Didn't you want to know
yourself? What are you kicking
about?"
She glanced over her shoulder to be
sure they were unheard and then.
stepping delicously close to Tommy,
said
Some O. these girls is goin' as