The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-08

nence-but would you like to be
there?'
"Of course not. I'm nineteen. and
love dancing better than my soul And
I'm not bad looking-besides 1 really
have got a frock to wear. But shall
never wear it-because won't have a
chance" Louise begun, her voice
tensely bitter
Kenneth Gray took both her hands.
you shall have the chance" he said.
ct will see to it. Be ready at o'clock.
I'll make it my business to md out
where you are-and whom l shall ask
for
you don't mean a word of that
but I'm game for anything, Louise
cried, breaking from his grasp m
Louise Ware, and I live with Mrs
Cleves.'' This aloud--to herself she
added: You deserve something-you
are the fellow Milly Durham is so
deeply in love with You may marry
her money-but for this one night
you shall know the difference"
I At eleven next night she stood
breathing quickly, and leaning upon
Gray's arm rather heavily, what Time
through her mask, she surveyed the
vivid scene. They had just finished
rapid two-Step-she danced IKE
thistledown, her soul all in her tripping
feet, her shining eyes. There would be
/ an hour more of it-she meant not TO
miss number Unmasking came
with the stroke of twelve-she would
steal away Just before it-Kenneth
should not affront with her, openly,
his world. He had been the prince Of
gallants, dancing with her much more
than half the time, and providing part
ners so she had never been still once
he had hurdled through waltz with
heavy-footed Milly.
MiIly had on the pink frock, but
Louise no longer envied her. Her own
white Grape, fashioned from an ances-
trail shawl. and rich with heavy en-
broidery. held ITS own with the finest
1 She had been masked when he came
! for her-she would go away, letting
| him have no more than glimpse or
/ her face as she said gOodby at the cab
! door. She meant he should leave FOR
there, and go back to finish the even
| ing's pleasure
you are giving me something to re-
| member always" she said to him in
the little lull of the music between
dances.
II am giving you my whole heart,
Kenneth whispered. The music struck
/ up-they whirled joyfully away to it.
But before they had made the floor
/ round there came a wild cry of fire!
The ballroom was on the third floor,
and the stairs to it, though broad, were
neither straight nor fireproof-
4 Chaos followed the cry. Kenneth
caught Louise tight in his arms and
ran to the west window. The stairs
were already choked. Still holding her
he clambered out on a narrow ledgy
stone coping, shutting the sash behind
him. There was a chance of rescue
also a chance of salvation. A big oak
stood little way off, the branches OF
it almost touching the ledge.
Kenneth measured the distance
could he leap it safely, carrying his
precious burden? AS he hesitated the
window was raised=Milly Durham
thrust through it. crying dryly; ken
neths Save me; 1 love youl Love
you sou
1t was Louise who drew her out &c
them on the ledge that had barely
room for two.
Jump" she cried to Kenneth, nod
ding toward the tree.
AS he obeyed, she steadied herself
drew Milly past her fiattened self, cry
ing in a half whisper: Catch" At the
same time she swung the girl within
.. reach of his arms. Milly was hall
fainting-Kenneth could not let go Of
her. Yet he called "Come!" ano
Louise launched herself toward him.
He braced himself, and tried t.
2 catch her with his free arm. bu
missed her fiuttering hands by an inch
: and shut his eyes, his heart stop
ping. as he heard her brush through
!. the oaken twigs. A shout made hin
open them-it was not the shout o.
1 horror. Looking down he saw Louise
lying spent but safe, in a big robe
snatehed from a waiting carriage. ant
; held by four good men and true.
Mrs. Durham insisted upon givinl
Louise not only trousseau but {
! dowry. And Milly, happy in new
7 sweetheart, wores blue, not pink, al
y bridesmaid, and looked almost pretty
-(Copyright, 1911, by Associated Lit
{ erary Press)