The Forrest City times., 1911-12-29

Sewing girls don't go to masquer. aoes-not private ones." Louise said bitterly. ''-
 Young Gray caught her arm q peg your pardon-I mean no impertI. hehee-but would you like to be l there?"
 Ot course not I'm nineteen. and love dancing better than my soul. And I'm not bad looking besides [ really have got a frock to wear. But l snail never wear it-because I won't nave chance" Louise begun. her voice tensely bitter.
 Kenneth Gray took both her hands. You shall have the chance" he said. T will see to 1t. Be ready at 2 o'clock. I'll make 1t my busi- ness to find out where you are-and whom shall ask for"
 You don't mean word of that oat I'm game for anything" Louise cried. breaking from his grasp. I'm Louise Ware, and live with Mrs. oleVes. This aloud-to herself she added: You deserve something you are the fellow Milly Dunham is SO deeply in love with. You may i marry-her money-but for this one night you shall know the difference.
 At eleven next night she stood breathing quickly. and leaning upon Gray's arm rather heavily, what l time, through her mask. she surveyed the vivid scene. They had just fin lshed rapid two-step-she danced like thistledown. her soul all in her tripping feet, her shining eyes. There would be an hour more of it-she meant not to miss a number In masking came with the stroke of tWelve-she would steal away just be- fore it-Kenneth should not affront with her, openly, his world. He had been the prince of gallants. dancing With her much moro than half the time, and providing partners so she had never been still. Once he had hurdled through waltz with heavy footed Milly.
 Mtuy had on the pink frock. but Louise no longer envied her. Her own white crape. fashioned from an ancestral shawl, and rich with heavy embroidery. held its own with the | finest
 She had been masked when he came for hsr-shs would go away. letting him have no moro than a | glimpse of her face as she said good by at the cab door. She meant he should leave her there. and go back to finish the evenings pleasure.
 You are giving me something to remember always" she said to him in the little lull of the music between | dances.
 'I am giving you my whole heart. Kenneth whispered. The music struck up-they whirled joyfully away to it. But before they had made the floors round there came a wild cry of fire, The ballroom wat on the third floor. and the stairs to it. though broad, were neither straight nor freproof,
 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 elambered out on narrow ledgy stone coping, shutting the sash behind him There was a chance of rescue. also a chance of salvation. A big oak stood a little way off, the branches of 1t almost touching the | ledge
 Kenneth measured the distance; could he leap it safely. carrying his nrecious burden? As he hesitated the window was raised-Milly Dun ham thrust through 1t, crying dryly: Kenneth! Save me! love you! Love you so!"
 It was Louise who drew her out to them on the ledge that had barely room for two
 "Jump." she cried to Kenneth. nodding toward the tree
 As he obeyed. she steadied herself. drew Milly past her fiattened self, crying in a half whisper; Catch. Al the same time she swung the girl within reach of his arms. Milly was half fainting-Kenneth could not let go of her. Yet he called Come. and Louise launched herself toward him.
 He braced himself, and tried to catch her with his free arm, but missed her futtering hands by an inch-and shut his eyes. his heart stopping as he heard her brush through the oaken twigs. A shout made him open them-it was not the shout of horror Looking down he saw Louise lying spent but safe. in big robe, snatched from waiting carriage. and held by four good men , and true.
 Mrs. Dunham insisted upon giving I,ouise not only rousseau but dowry. And Milly. happy in new sweetheart, wore blue. not pink, as bridesmaid and looked almost pretty