The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-08-31
TWO OF THE MASKERS
BY ARTHUR COTTONWOOD.

whispered to another footman stand
ing by the heavy portiers, and with
drew noiselessly. This second foot
man held aside the old tapestry,
which had undoubtedly worn thin the
fingers of clustered nuns centuries
ago, and announced: "Mr. Robert With
ington Craymore," in a loud, clear
voice, to which no one seemed to paw
the least attention, and stood aside for
Craymore TO enter.
Craymore found himself in a room
filled with men in somber evening
clothes and the most gorgeously
gowned women he had ever seen.
A stout little bald-headed man near
the door, who could not have hoped
hearing the announcement of his lame
said: Hello, Craymore, old chap" as
Craymore passed him, and a pretty
young woman just beyond nodded to
him brightly
He found himself at last before a
duh, bored-looking man, who stopped
down and whispered, even as he
clasped Craymores hand: Il never
could remember names!"
"Craymore," the young man replied
with that engaging smile he knew SO
well how to use.
of course, of course" said the bored
man rather apologetically. Ought to
remember 'em better, but can't seem
to get the hang of doing it. My dear"
he turned to the stout, voluble woman
beside him, here is Craymore."
Thus he washed his hands of Cray
! w
| bored.
| "Oh, Mr.. Craymore, SO good of you
to come. Where have you been hiding
yourself. naughty boy? Are you in Sc
| clusion trying for holy orders? One
| would think so from all we see of you
| these days. Oh, Alice, want you
to know Mr. Craymore. Craymore,
Miss Leyden. You lucky girl! No one
tangoes quite like Mr.. Craymore. Run
along, now, and prove to her how
truthful | am. And don't forget-a
dance with me at IL"
Thus did she dismiss Craymore and
continue being voluble. It was really
easier than Craymore had supposed.
He tangoed in the big, glazing gold
| and white ballroom with Alice Ley
den, and when man came to claim
her at the end. of the dance he was
told how divfnely he danced and
passed on to Miss Greig, who chat
tered while she danced.
At the end of that dance, Miss Greig
being promptly claimed, he found him.
self quite free. He found sort OF
conservatory just off the ballroom
with little orange trees in bloom and
tiny fountain FLASHING musically into
big pool of Japanese goldfish.
He sat down to adjust things. He
had done the thing and it was ridicu
lousy easy. It almost spoiled 1T all &c
think there had been no more call tc
use his wits.
Then his thought were interrupted
by girls ripping laughter. He Liked
the sound of that voice even before he
saw the girl herself. And he liked the
girl when she came into view, ever
better. There were two SWANS In at
tendance with her.
She. looked quickly at Craymore
sitting by one of the little blossomins
orange trees, half nodded, and laugh
ingly dismissed her two knights. Cray
more jumped TO his feet.
"You are not having a good time,
said the girl. quite Unexpectedly.
"Why, how on earth do you know
| that?" he asked.
'Your face tells it plainly" said she
you are moping alone over some
: thing. Cheer up. I'm not, either
Five dances she sat out with him il
the little room of the goldfish and bios
soming orange trees. Craymore ha,
prided himself that he was not particu
larly susceptible to women, but thi
girl was like no other he had ever seel
or known. That was what he ha,
come here to find out-if these girl
one met here were so wonderfully dill
ferent.
This time it's to say goodnight, o
good-morning," she said. 81 wish,
and there was a little wistful note il
her voice, ut didn't have to be good
by. OF course, you'll never see m
again"
So she had seen through him all tn
time!
81 wish it didn't have to be good-b
too" said he. But, since you've seel
through me I may as we'll save m
face as best can. 1t was ridiculousl
easy Far easier than I thought
would be, indeed"
What do you mean?" she asked
" puzzled.
Even these clothes I have on ar
- hired for the occasion" said he. .
simply drove up in state in hire
name brazenly and in rather bore
fashion"
Then you haven't any right here?
II II thought you had seen that"
| why, no." said she. why, no;
| she repeated 81 said it would have t
be good-by because / thought 20