The Parker post., 1912-03-30

1OunS Gray cauSnL n0r arm.
beg your pardon-I mean no imperti-
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 [
really have got 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. 81 will see to it, Be ready
at O'Clock I'll make it my bust
ness to find out where you are-and
whom I shall ask for"
You don't mean a word of that
but I'm game for anything Louise
cried breaking from his grasp. I'm
Louise Ware, and | live with Mrs.
Cleves." This aloud-to herself she
added: You deserve something
you are the fellow Milly Dunham Is
so deeply in love with. You may
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
time, through her mask, she surveyed
the vivid scene. They had just fin
ished a rapid two-step-she danced
like thistledown, her soul all in her
tripping feet, her shining eyes. There
ho nf
meant not to miss q number. Un-
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 more than half the
time. and providing partners so she
had never been still. Once he had
hurdled through a waltz with heavy
footed Milly
Milly had on the pink frock, but
Louise no longer envied her. Her
own white Grape. fashioned from an
ancestral shawl, and rich with heavy
embroidery, held its own with the
finest
She had been masked when he
came for her-she would go away,
letting him have no more than
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.
Il 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
wild cry of fire! The ballroom was
on the third floor, and the stairs to
it, though broad. were neither
straight nor fireproof
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 a 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 Dun
ham thrust through it, crying dryly:
Kenneth. Save me! love you!
Love you SOL"
1t 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 aattened self
crying in a half whisper: Catch. =
At 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 a
big robe. snatched from a waiting
carriage. and held by four good men
and true.
Mrs. Durham insisted upon giving
Louise not only trousseau but
dowry. And Milly, happy in a new
sweetheart. wore blue. not pink. as
bridesmaid. and looked almost pretty