The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-15

II they ask me to produce what
Jewelry ! have with Newell, I
simply can't think what to do"
why not hide the case?"
That's just it. I've brought
it to YOU"
ITO mel"
Don't be alarmed. Nobody
Will ever suspect you. I've hidden
the case under your pillow. You
may find some better place for it
but then you haven't a maid to
hoodwink."
Mrs. Standish rose. You will
do this for me. won't you? And
let us forget our little misun-
derstanding. I've forgotten it al
ready"
She had left the room before
Sally could formulate reasonable
protest.
On the dot of their standing ap-
pointment Sally found Mrs. Cos
mold in the golden glow Of her
boudoir window, tray with
fruit, coffee and rolls on her left
dividing attention with a sheaf of
morning notes.
Acknowledging Sally's appear
ance with pleasant, If slightly
distracted smile, she murmured:
oh, is it you, Miss Manwaring?
Sit down, please. You've slept
we'll. l trust?"
Sally did not hesitate percepti-
bly,; the honest impulse prevailed.
Not so we'll last night" she
confessed. 81 don't know what
was the matter with me, but
somehow | didn't seem even to
want to sleep"
Il know" Mrs. Gosnold. nod
ded, wisely. I'm not yet old
enough to have forgotten these
midsummer moonlight nights of
ours. When was a girl and
being courted from this very
house, l know, l used to wait until
everybody had gone to bed and
creep out and wander for
hours"
Her pause invited condolences.
And momentarily Sally's heart
thumped like a trip-hammer. Did
she. then. either know or guess?
Il did that last night" she re-
sponded, but l hadn't your ex-
cuse."
you mean you're not being
courted? Don't be impatient.
Once to every woman-too often
to most. | think" he employer
pursued, "our island air agrees
with you. Would you care to stay
on?"
with all my heart!"
see no reason why you
shouldn't ! like you very well.
If you like, well say your en-
gagement begins today, the first
of the week.
THANK you," said Sally, in a
tone that, though little more than
whisper, was more eloquent of
her gratitude than the mere
phrase could possibly have been.
80 now shall stop calling you
Miss Manwaring."
Please do.
tits much too formal. I'm 60
ing to call you Sara, if you've got
no objection"
why not Sally?" the girl sug-
gested, tentatively. That's my
name-I mean, what I'm accus-
toned to-"
Thank you; / like it even bot
ter" Mrs. Gosnold affirmed. "I'm
conservative enough to favor old
times names. Now for business.
I've mapped out a busy morning
for you. To begin with, here are
dozen or so notes to deliver
You may take the dog cart-no,
to save time, one of the motors.
We must give these good people
as much time as possible, consid-
ering it's q spur-of-the-moment
affair.
"Oh!" she laughed, catching
the look of puzzlement on the
girls face. 81 haven't told you
what 1t is. Well, my dear, it's an
old woman's within. Every so often
| break loose this way and keep
my memory green, as one who, in
her day, never entertained but
In some unique fashion.
For some time I've had this in
mind, and everything prepared;
you may, If you like, call It a
spontaneous masquerade by
moonlight. Half the fun of such
affairs comes of the last-moment,
makeshift costumes. Moreover, 1t
demands a perfect highland we
can't count on our island weather
"a hours In advance. But today
is perfect, and tonight will be fair
with the moon at It's full. You
may dance on the veranda or
make love on the terrace, Just as
you please, from 10 O'Clock till 8
or later. Supper will be served
from midnight on. At 1 We shall
unmask.
AS for your costume, you're
not to give it a thought. l have
arranged for 1t to be brought to
your room at half-past 8, and
pledge you my word you'll find 1t
becoming. have only two re-
quests to make of you: That you
refrain from unmasking or admit
ting your identity until 1 o'clock,
and that II you recognize me, you
hold your tongue. Is 1t a bar
gain?"
You're so good to me-" said
Sally, simply. 81 can't think how
IN thanh Won