Amador ledger., 1910-11-18
A Masquerade
Il Story of the Eighfssntb
Century.
BY EDITH B. GOODWIN
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association.

IdmllleS III Eugidnu, 10 MAKE u nlBu-
wayman of yourself. Our betrothal is
at an end. Leave me-"
The Hen. Alfred Tillotson, younger
son Of the Earl Of Enderby, withdrew
without Offering a bit Of defense,
Keeping his face while retreating to-
ward the Lady Clara Travis, the
plume of his hat trailing on the floor.
But. though his bearing was humble.
he was not without hope. Did he not
know by her heightened color. the
tremor in her voice. even a slight
moisture in her eye, what she suf-
fered In dismissing him? But would
her heart triumph over her resolu-
tions? Clara Travis was not a prude.
She was light hearted girl who
could dance till morning at a ball,
ride across country, taking fences and
bitches by the way. but she would
never stoop to injure even an enemy.
Indeed. men said of her that her
standard of honor was that of an hon
orable. man.
Months passed, and Tillotson saw
no alteration In Lady Clara's treat
the slightest sign of relenting. But II
she grieved she did not believe In Sc
clnsion. She hunted, danced. played
at cards with no trifling stake, just as
she had done before her disappoint.
ment. Tillotson when he met her
looked in vain for even recognition.
She paled or colored slightly at his
approach. but evidently considered
one who had taken purses even for
amusement unworthy of her acquaint-
ance. When months had passed and
there was no reconciliation the lover
became despondent.
During this period, the latter part
of the eighteenth century, Venice set
the fashion In all matters of amuse-
ment, just as under the second empire
in France Paris set the fashions In
woman's dress. From the City of the
Sea mania for masquerading and
gambling spread over Europe. In
London people were accustomed to go
about to gambling and dancing
houses, and matters finally came to
such a pass that the city government
decided to raid a notorious dance
house in Soho. A few hours before
the raid was made the lord mayor
dining at fashionable club. revealed
the proposed descent to companion.
The latter begged to be permitted to
accompany the force sent for the pur-
pose disguised as policeman, ana
leave was given. BY the lord mayors
order he was enrolled and uniformed
as a special policeman.
Revelry was in full swing at the
dance house when a policeman, fol-
lowed by others, entered the place.
locked the door behind him and post
ed man at each point Of egress with
orders to permit no one to pass out.
Nearly all those present were mask
ed. The dance came to a sudden halt,
the dancers standing stock still in
their places. Then the officer of police
called
"All unmask."
Some endeavored to pass the police
men at the points Of exit, but were
driven back. Some endeavored to hide
under the furniture or behind cur
tains, but they were pulled out. 1t
was a slow process, but one by one
they were all pushed on to the open
floor and forced to uncover their faces.
What was the amazement of the po-
lice to discover that at least third
of the company consisted of ladies and
gentlemen of the highest aristocracy.
A policeman stepped up to a lady.
furious at her exposure, her eyes snap
ping, her foot stamping the floor. and,
dotiing his hat respectfully, said to
her:
MY service to your ladyship. I've
come to ask which is worse, taking
purses on the highway or frequenting
low dance houses"
The lady looked at him, stupefied for
a moment, then exclaimed:
ALFRED Tillotson. what does this
mean?"
THAT a highwayman has Joined the
police. You would not have me as a
lawbreaker, so l became one Of those
whose business it is to punish law
breakers"
How dare you speak to me when ]
have perslsteDtly cut your" she cried
angrily.
Clara. can get you out of this"
"Oh, AlfredT
II knew you the moment entered
the room. You have not been recog-
nized. Put on your mask and come
with me-"
Donning the mask and slipping her
hand on his arm. the two walked out
of the hall and. entering carriage,
were driven away.
"Who was your escort to this select