The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-07-01
TWO OF THE MASkERS
By ARTHUR COTTONWOOD.

ing Dy the neaVy pOrtlers, ana WIFI
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 pay
the least attention, and stood aside for
Craymore to enter.
Craymore found himself in 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 helped
hearing the announcement of his name.
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
dull, 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 1t. My DEAR"
he turned to the stout, voluble woman
beside him, here is Craymore"
Thus he washed his hands of Cray
more and went on looking drearily
bored.
"Oh, Mr.. Craymore, SO good of you
to come. Where have you been hiding
yourself, naughty boy? Are you in Sc
olusion 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 l am. And don't forget-a
dance with me at Ill"
Thus did she dismiss Craymore and
continue being voluble. 1t 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 divinely 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 a sort of
conservatory just off the ballroom
with little orange trees in bloom and
tiny fountain FLASHING unsteady into
big pool Of Japanese goldfish.
He sat down to adjust things, He
had done the thing and it was ridicu
lousy easy. 1t almost spoiled 1t all to
think there had been no more call to
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, even
better. There were two SWANS In at
tendance with her.
She looked quickly at Craymore
sitting by one of the little blossoming
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 1t plainly" said She
you are moping alone over some
thing. Cheer up. I'm not, either"
Five dances she sat out with him in
the little room of the goldfish and bios
soming orange trees. Craymore had
prided himself that he was not particu-
larly susceptible to women, but this
girl was like no other he had ever seen
or known. That was what he had
come here to find out-if these girls
one met here were so wonderfully diff
fereht.
This time it's to say goodnight, or
good-morning," she said. Il wish,
and there was little wistful note in
her voice, "it didn't have to be good
by. OF course, you'll never see me
again"
So she had seen through him all the
time!
Il wish 1t didn't have to be good-by,
too" said he. But, since you've seen
through me l may as well save my
face as best can. 1t was ridiculously
easy Far easier than I thought it
would be, indeed"
What do you mean?" she asked,
puzzled.
Even these clothes / have on are
hired for the occasion" said he, Il
simply drove up in state In hired
clothes in a hired car and gave my
name brazenly and in rather bored
fashion"
Then you haven't any right here?"
Il thought you had seen that"
why, no. said she. why, no"
she repeated. q said it would have to
be good-by because l thought you