Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1910-05-27
A Masquerade
d Story of the Eighteenth
Century.
Ely EDITH B. GOODWIN
1910. by American Press
Association

'For shame: You. the sou Of an earl
and member Of one Of the proudest
families In England. to make high
wayman Of yourself. Our betrothal is
at an end. Leave me-"
The Hon. Alfred Tillotson. younger
son Of the Earl Of Enderby, withdrew
without offering bit Of defense.
keeping his face while retreating to-
ward the Lady Clara Travis. the
plume of his hat trailing on the aoor
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-
tons? Clara Travis was not prude.
She was light hearted girl who
could dance till morning at ball.
ride across country, taking fences aud
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
ment Of him. He looked in vain for
the slightest sign Of relenting. But il
she grieved she did not believe in Sc
clusion. She hunted, danced, played
at cards with no tritling 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
became Respondent.
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 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. and
leave was given. Ely the lord mayors
order he was enrolled and uniformed
as special policeman.
Revelry was In full swing at the
dance house when u policeman, fol-
lowed by others. entered the place.
locked the door behind him and post
ed a man ut 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
door 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 lady.
furious Mt her exposure, her eyes snap
ping. her foot stamping the floor. and.
dofing 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, stupe6ed for
a moment, then exclaimed:
"Alfred Tillotson. what does this
mean?"
THAT highwayman has joined the
police. You would not have me as
lawbreaker. so became one Of those
whose business it is to punish law.
breakers"
"How dare you speak to me when
have persisteDtly cut you?" she cried
angrily.
CLARA. can get you out of this"
"Oh, Alfredo!
81 knew you the moment l entered
the room. You have not been recog-
nized. Put on your mask and come
with me-"
Downing the mask and slipping her
hand on his arm, the two walked out
Of the hall and. entering carriage,
We're driven away.
WHO was your escort to this select
party?" asked Tillotson.
''Fathcr. l forgot all about him."
'He Won't suffer. being in good COM
pany. Nearly all our best families