Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1910-01-14
Copyright. 1908. BY he tDohhs-
Merrill Co.


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 will be an hour for un-
masking"
1T has already begun. Mr.. Hillard."
$50 l am the one who Is To be IN
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 ii"
He took note of her teeth and felt a
sudden tince Of regret One may dis
guise the face and hair. but the teeth
are always the same. Two lower teeth
the others We're firm and glistening
white. II was pity. for woman's
teeth are as much her glory as her
bair
Silence The rudy light on her hair
fascinated him.
what Is it," she demanded
Your hair with simplicity which
silenced her. You have the most
beautiful bair ] have ever seen"
Thank Yen. And yet. for all you
know. it may he fine wig"
IF IL is 1 shall never be sure of
anything again. Am | in prosaic New
York. Have you not by some carpet
magic transported me to old Europef
Ii a dozen eonspirators 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 THAR
None absolutely none. i am told
that you are gentleman. so | am
confident that you will not ,stoop to
use force"
"Ouiy the force OF eloQuenoe, II ever
| may lay claim to that again"
You are beginning well. for 1 tell
you. Mr.. Hillard. l shall expect but
the most brilliant wtt from you to
night. As for me. I shall only inter
polate occasionally. Nov. begin"
Il. am not used to Aaactng without
the pole"
You must learn. Daoce4"
Upon what-nothinG? And how
shall, /. know that my dAocfng pteases
your
Il agree to tell you. wear this
mask tonight because I An taking a
.surreptitious leaf out OF ~ beck 81
cares"
You are. then, seeking . dfvefstanf
Nothing more or less 10 yet dak-
ter yourself that there Is anything pAr-
sonai or romantic on my side. 1 am
bored"
Liam wholly In your hands" he said.
and, they are very beautiful bands"
is there anything more beautiful
than a, cats paw when the elm w are
hidden? Never Judge a woman BY Aer
hands," Nevertheless she buried her
hands IN the depths of q down pillow.
She had forgotten her rings She slip
ped them OF and managed to hide
them.
Il promise to remember. Your let
terri, he. began ditt1depuy. Where the
deuce was his tongue? Was be to be-
,eongued tied all the evening before this
.ColumbiDe. Who. with The aid Of her
mask. was covertly laughing at his
.awkwardnessf
My lettersi A woman. often writes
what she viii not say and says what
she will not write. Did you not ask
me to ,disuluslop you"
Yes. but softly, softly. begin 10
believe one thing-you brought me here
TO teach me a lesson. Gentlemen should
never Use the personal coiupan.
Nor should ladies read IT, Lam not
saving any mercy for myself with
laughter.
Shall 4 begin with my pastT'
something less horrifying. II you
please
Il object so the wend NICE" he said.
Il should nave preferred milksQp.
HadnI you better try some new kild
Of torsureY
This time her laughter was relaxed
and joyful. And somehow Hillard feit
more at ease. He WAS growing accus-
toned 10 the mask He stretched his
legs I'd fingered ais neither lip.
Have you not some wheee an In
visible cloak p
Il had one that night. which nature
lent me-" size answered readily. II
was 30 invisible 20 you that ! beard
the policeman call OFT your name.
thank you for insisf1ag dat I was not
q chorus lady"
Here was . revelafioa which e.
counted for many fhinss- - haven't
been very fortunate - far n fAis -
venture"
That b rank ingratstuAs I aw u
the opinion that fortune has highly
favored you"
But he mask-the mask! II yos
Aeard the policeman call my name yoa
must have heard him speak Of ooe
Teddy Lighffnger."
= did. indeed And II II not pos
able that am that very personr'
Hiiiard dropped his hand toward bis
watch why do you bate italyT
She sat straight and what little he
could see OF her mouth had hardened
'.Ther~ will be DO retrospection this
evening. II you phase" her voice
rather metallic.
The mystery lifted its head again.
One does not hate a country without
4 strong and vital reason. Was Clio
sanni partly right. after asI? Was
this a kind Of frap-a play to gain bis
interest. Was her singing under his
window purely accidental
.'WilI yeu nut sing be asked. This
was an inspiration. Music might rs