The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-14
IN THE MASK
By JAMES hardin,

Copyright lsiV, by Associated
Literary Press.)
Clayton proposed to nae tonight"
confided Ruth. demurely.
Hes an awful fiirt," said her
friend, Jane Barron, mischievously.
a mans a man."
what did you tell HIM"
Ruth dimpled. ''Nothing-much. I
asked for time to consider. know
he's a great heart-breaker, and ali
tho girls are wild about him. But
I've never heard OF his proposing to
any one. $3.50 he rather took me
by surprise"
do you love him." asked Jane.
softly.
yes" said Ruth, brushing.
Then why didn't you accept him 2"
Somehow. can't feel sure that he
loves me. l may be one OF his many
fancies"
He has never proposed to any one
BEFORE" reminded Jane.
Il know. He cares for me now.
For weeks--months nearly. he hasn't
looked at anybody else. But I'm not
sure that he cannot be tempted"
Jeans IL fuii Of pretty women them"
suggested Jane. Hitherto Clayton
has lost his head 10 every mask"
Ruth caught her friends hand.
watt" she cried. and thought
Tor moment. The two pretty hAads
bent together. and Ruth outlined a
plaa.
Tits daring" sAid Jane.
viii you help me7"
married woman like me loves to Gee
others made happy. And--I like
Clayton"
Three nights later Clayton Moran
left his coffee houne and took his &C.
customed way toward his homA He
passed through the old French quar-
ter. that nest Of romance In the heart
Of New OrlsanA 1t was iata. ana he
was walking fast.
"M'sisui. snad Q so1t yoicA.
Clayton stopped and pssrsd up NJ
the balcony whencs had come the
call. He was In the hgAt, but the
balcony was shaded and he could zee
nothing.
Something struck him on the face.
Involuntary he caught 1t n, and
grasped a biz of paper rolled into =
ball. He was aboat TO tosg II away.
half angry that soms unknown per-
son was making sport OF him.
An" warned the voice from the
balcony.
CLAYTON opened tbs paper. It was
note, written in a delicate. feni-
nine hand.
"Mr. Clayton Moran he read, ~
you wish an adventure, 90 tonight
10 the corner OF Rue de 10 Chaiss
and Avenue Blanc. There you will
find carriage. The driver witt ny
TO you. Mine O'Clock ana you must
reply Al ten Get into the carriage
and ask no questions. need as
sistance, and have sent for you. You
may trust me-
The devil" muttered Clayton.
How did they know me? For
twentieth century New orleAne, this
10 not bad. Lady In distress. en-
Well. I'm ripe for an adventure my
lady. / don't know what Ruth would
say to this, but IN be discreet"
He turned on his heel and went to
find tho carriage. II was 1T the ap-
pointed place. and soon Clayton was
rolling through the streets. He tried
TO keep his sense Of locality. but
corners. When II finally drew up
in a dark courtyard, Clayton had NO
idea Of where he was
door In front OF him opened and
he entered q dark hall. A hand
grasped his and no waa lad down the
passage.
Cad" said he, I'm q fool. ]
wish had my revolver"
Another door opened, and Clayton
was pssshed into q dimiy lighted
room He heard q piano played eoft-
TO the light he cav 4 woman seated
at the instrument. He waited.
Presently the woman turned. she
wore q mask.
"Msieu Clayton. liz 1t not?" she
asked In French.
Yes" replied Clayton, recovering
. little from his ACCOMPLISHMENT. He
strovs to pierce the coverfn9 Of black
sIik- Her chin was exquisite.
You may call nns--Mak1ot" said
the woman. with = little laugh. 81
mask nay name a. wen n my face.
you See
.'Marsot, II il crime to mask what
must be 10 lovely"
The nams---or the facs." she
fenced.
TO Judge the name from what /
can see Of thu face--hcth." hs re-
piled.
~ 'aiau nAaAAws.s m
Clayton approached. @wAy do you
wear that mask?" he asked.
That win be known--prsssntiy. y
she replied. WIN you b seAssd7 ]
clayton SIT down. The room va.
In semI-darkness. He could reoos-
nine nothing.
WIN seu AADweF one question p
he asked. where am II"
Margot looked at him steadily.
''Msieu," she asked, ianos1ne his
question. ARE you married7"
No"
..win You marry msf"
CLAYTON stared at hsT. stupehsd.
will r." he cried.
Margot watched him narrowly. Shs
was very beautiful.
II am in earnest" she went ON,
after = moment. NY father left Z
will. II am not married before my
twentieth birthday, shall lose 4
large fortune. Tomorrow am
twenty"
Clayton nodded mutsiy.
\ made . mistake. i dAllied with
my suitofA not realinlng how fast
time flies. The day drew near. and
there was no one for me to marry
cally.
II know ycu wall. You have danced
with me- played tennis with me
even made lows to me. DID not wear
this mask. We'll, I like you. You
are . gentleman. and I know can
trust you. You pass this house every
night on your way home from the
coffee house. and thought OF this
plan to fntersst yOu--to arouse your
sense OF romance. IL yDu WIN marry