The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1913-02-07


Virginia came running from the din
ing room of the little fiat where she
and Aline Carr had been keeping
house for two years. Her face was
flushed, and her eyes were wide with
fright.
What in the world is the matter.
child? Are you hurt? What is it,"
she exclaimed as she rushed into
Aline's tiny bedroom and found that
small person in a sobbng heap on the
bed.
"Aline what have you done? Come,
dear you mustn't cry. Aline. speak
to me-"
Aline lifted her tear.stained face
and brushed back mass of thick
golden curls. Just look at II! See
what I've done to my dress-it's ruin
ed! oh, Virginia | can't go to the
ball. What will Win think? What
will his mother think?
Ink all over the front OF my gown
my pretty new gown! Isn't 1t just
terrible? There's no time to get any
thing else. 1t 1t wasn't fancy dress
party, could manage, but | can't so
in just an evening gown. and there is
no possible way for me to get even a
domino to put over my pink frock"
Again the pretty head was buried
in the pillow, and the slight form OF
the girl shook with sobs.
Virginia looked with alarm and in
terest at the lovely fluffy frock flung
over a chair back. All over the front
and side was dark blue stain. big
blotchy stain that completely spoiled
the pretty laces and chiffon.
Virginia knew that she looked on a
tragedy. Aline had been engaged TO
Winston Scott just two weeks. She
was to meet his mother for the first
time that evening-the mother who
would be critical who was giving a
costumed ball for Winstons sister.
and would expect great things from
her daughter-in-law-to-be.
. Virginia knew that Mrs. Scott was
not the sort of woman to look with
favor upon her sons marriage with
O girl who earned her own living; but
she knew Aline could win even the
sternest woman's heart with her gen.
tie manner and sweet, loving DISPOSE
ton IL she only had a chance.
Don't cry, little one. l think We
can fix 1t all right Come along with
me. l may have something that will
do as we'll as this shepherdess dress"
Wonderingly, Aline followed Vir-
~t,.. t.to
girl knelt beside large trunk taking
things out OF 1t until she drew forth
a package wrapped in tissue paper.
Opening 1t, she held up lovely crepe
kimono. a real Japanese garment, OF
the palest shell pink, with cherry bios
SONS embroidered over its surface so
that they looked as IL some merry
summer breeze had scattered them
there. 1t was lined with dreamy
satin.
Aline gasped with Joy. She could
wear the lovely robe over her pink
slip and represent a daughter of ia
pan.
Virginia helped her to arrange her
hair with tiny fans and pretty pins.
Her brows and eyes were penciled; a
little rouge applied deftly TO her
cheeks and lips gave her the piquant
appearance of a dainty geisha girl.
Where did you get this lovely
kimono, Virginia? How sweet of you
to lend 1t to me-"
Il wore it once-to q party-hve
years ago" replied Virginia, and then
quickly changed the subject.
II was nearly midnight when Aline
sank down in q secluded corner OF the
conservatory justin to get her breath
and think for a minute" She had
been a success. Mrs. Scott had re-
ceived her most graciously. Winston
had told her over and over how lovely
she was, and his sister had admired
her costume and said she was the
prettiest girl in the ballroom. 1t was
almost time to unmask.
She leaned her head back on the
cushions Of the divan and closed her
eyes behind their satin mask Sud-
denly she was conscious OF some one
sitting down beside her: then
Virginia! At last ! have found
you came late, and only caught
sight OF you in the crush. Why have
you hidden yourself from me, Vir-
ginia?"
Il beg your pardon. am not Vir-
ginia. l suppose you mean Virginia
Taylor" And Aline quickly pulled of
her mask, revealing her face TO the
man in monks costume seated by her
side.
Pardon me. I'm sorry ] made the
mistake-but surely, that is-it was
your kimono that led me to think you
were Miss Taylor. She has, or had
one just like 1t.
This is Miss Taylor's kimono. She
let me wear Il tonight because i spoil
ed my own dress"
You know Virginia? Tell me. is
she here?"
No"
But / can find her! I am Jack
Howard, an old friend; in fact, We
were engaged to be married, but after