The Meeker herald., 1914-04-11

thinking Of her:
And that teiltale wrapper that had
come around the golden heart!
Margaret went into her room and.
unlocking Z drawer Of her desk. took
out the paper.
"For Miss Rose Blakely, 107 Gal
braith Terrace. City. Please Forward"
Galbraith terrace was Rose Blakely's
old address. and the missive had been
forwarded from one place to another
until It had reached the Mordaunt
home, whers Rose, now IN reduced cir
cumstanees, was living.
"But she cannot want It ~ dol"
cried Margaret passionately. as she
tossed the telltale paper In the hre
and watched 1t turn to black ashes.
why. out OF all the men In the world.
should he be the only one I care for
and why should he be Indifferent TO
mer
Thus poor Margaret Mordaunt voiced
the wall Of unhappy women since the
world began. For 4 long time she sat
there gazing into the fires heart. think
ing Of many things. At last her maid
came to dress her for the bail.
Margaret liytlessly gave herself into
Pauline's skillful hands. and presently.
when she emerged dressed n the
Queen Of Hearts. NO one would have
suspected that her own heart was sore
and aching.
Ar she tied the little black mask over
her eyes she said to Celeste:
sspaR1.av> AGN~. R1akAlo -na,A fkk
some assistance, Celeste"
II have asked her, Miss Margaret,
but she sent word that II you would
excuse her she would not come down.
She has a bad headache"
II am sorry" said Margaret. but she
could not help the relief In her heart.
She stopped at Roses door and urged
her to come down later. but the girl
looked 20 pale and unhappy that Mar
garet closed the door gently and came
away.
Three hours later the rooms were
a-glitter with lights and gay with the
varicolored costumes Of the dancers.
Mr.. Mortlaunt. stately and handsome
~ Queen Elizabeth. was unmasked.
Once she beckoned the Queen Of
Hearts to her side.
Margaret she said. miss Blakely
u feeling better. and she Is upstairs in
the little brown study. l have urged
her 10 come down later, and she has
half promised. She will wear q little
red domino. Don't forget"
"No, mother. DEAR" said Margaret,
with unaccustomed gentieness.
"Who h the tall man CARRIED AZ thu
melancholy Dane1 The one you have
Nordaunt.
"Oh. Hamletr' laughed Margaret. ~
suspect it's Mr.. Edmonds- It's % pux-
sling. and such funw She danced
away. and Mrs. Nordaunt smiled be-
canss Marsarst was % beautiful and
sigAed becAuse she knew IL gixi WAS
unhappy. which b . way that mothers
have.
"Oh, prince" said Margaret sudden
". II would have you do me Z favor"
Hamlet bowed gracefully. "As your
majesty pleases."
"Piease 70 upstairs" ordered Mar
cosy room we call the brown study
It u at the head Of the stairs. There
you will ind very beautiful rose. II
you can gain possession Of 1t you may
bring 1t down here and wear It. wish
you auccessr'
For an instant Jack Edmonds sur
veyed the girl through the narrow eye
holes Of his mask. He recognized Mar
garet M0rdaunt, a. many Of her guests
had done. but he wondered at her my
mood with him.
Again be bowed and made bis way
toward the door. many charming eye
following the progress OF his tall,
graceful form. 1t was not often that
Jack Edmonds ventured Into society.
He was busy man. and the urgency
Of Affairs called him away from home
very often. But In the last few months
be had become we'll acquainted with
the Mordaunts. and now be felt quite
at home In the hospitable mansion.
He paused at the door Of the brown
study. II wonder II I shall ind the
rose" he smiled AZ he turned the knob.
The rose was there, but It was not
the dollhouse flower he had expected to
ind.
1t was Rose Blakely, his rose. Rose
Of the golden heart
She glanced up a. be entered and 4
startled look came into her eyes. She
was In the act Of fastening a crimson
domino over her little black frock. and
the entrance Of the masked man had
surprised her.
n was SAINT here to 6nd 4 rose" said
Hamlet softly.
At the sound Of his well remembered
voice Rose Blakely trembled and hid
her face In her hands.
~Marsaret MoFdaunt sent me here to
6nd a rose" he went on. land II
could win It I was to wear It against
my heart. Rose. Rose. my girl Of the
golden heart; haven't I waited long
enough for your