The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-01-06
Continued from last week.)

Come. that is not brave You can
retreat till your shoulders touch the
mat but ! must stand this side Of the
| line, unable to reach you. And you
have the advantage of the mask be
sides You are not a fair fencer."
The odds should bc in my favor. /
am woman. My wrist is not so
strong as yours
physically. of course, | may pass
| the line. 10 reach the salt, for instance
VIII that be against the rules? You
have put temptation in MY path"
Bid Satan get behind thee"
Il wish ! knew the color of your
eyes. Behind those holes ! see nothing
| but points of fire, no color"
They are blue. But surprising !
wear this mask because my face l.
dreadfully scarred?'
VANITY, yes; but scars, never. Al
/ least never SO deep as you yourself can
make. You wear thar mask but oug
Of mercy TO me
| Once she rose and approached q,
! window, Siyiy raising the mask ana
breathing deeply Of the cold air which
rushed in through the crevices. When
! she turned she found that he, too. had
| risen. lie was looking at the stems
one Of which he held in his HAND
Moreover, be returned and set the stein
down beside his plate.
| Tel noe, why do you do that"
| There was an anxious note in her
! voice
Il have an idea. But let US proceed
with the dinner. This salad
Il am more interested in the idea"
She pushed aside the salad and took
sip Of the ruby burgundy. Had he
discovered something?
"May smoke?" he asked
"By ali means
| He lighted cigarette and put the
! case uear the line.
"Do YOU enjoy cigarette|'
sometimes" she answered But
the idea
VIII you not have one?" lie moved
the case still nearer to the line
She reached out firm round white
arm.
"One moment" he said. let US un
derStand each other thoroughly"
What 10 you mean her arm pois-
ed in midair.
ITO touch n cigarette You must cross
the line to this side
She withdrew her arm slowly.
81 shall not smoke. If | crossed the
line | should establish dangerous
The mirror over the piano confused
me. | have seen it somewhere before
Then there is that old copy of Botti-
celi. The frame is familiar. but
could not place ii. This stein. how,
ever He laughed. The laughter was
bOyish, even triumphant.
"Weli. that steini'' She was now
tense on the cloth
81 bought that stein two seasons
ago. This Is the Sandfords' place. and
you are the yelled lady who has been
riding Mrs. Sandford's favorite hunter
In the park"
They stood up simultaneously. In a
matter of this sort he was by far the
quicker. In an instant he had caught
her by the wrist, at the same time
drawing her irresistibly round the ia
BILE toward him.
II must see your face. l shall never
be at peace il do not
Certainly you will never know any
peace If you do. BE careful"
His free hand stole toward the
strings of her mask. She moved not
His face was very close to hers now
II only she would struggle! He re.
leased her wrist.
mo; haven't the courage. If l take
that mask from your face it will be
the end. And ! do not want this ever
to end. If you will not let me see your
face of your own free will. so be It, l
shall see it some day, mark me- Fate
does not cross two paths In this man
ner without purpose" He stepped
back slowly. You do not understand
the lure Of that mask"
Perhaps l do. l am beginning to
admire your self control. Mr.. Hillard
But l am tired now. and ! must ask
you to CO."
"Once more. will you let me see
your face?'
mo. If. as you say, fate intends for
US TO meet again you will see it, But
] have my doubts. So 1t is my will to
pass out Of your life as completely as
though had never entered it-from
one fog into another No. am Tot
happy woman. | am not happy in my
friendships. Listen Ia me-" and her
voice grew low and sweet. Let me
appeal to your lima ginatio This light
adventure shall be souvenir for your