The log cabin Democrat., 1916-05-24
EVIDENCE By CATHERINE CRANmEa.

his hat and stick, which ne helo III readiness for departure.
 'I refuse to be bullied. So refuse to answer your question because you flung it at me as a demand to account to you in advance for my movements.
 Now. Dot, you cant think that; 1t is all from my desire to exerclse the right and tho privilege which our en- gagement gives me to protect you.
 Protection actuated by jealousy ana intolerance isn't what l want or ex- pect As for our engagement, why She began to tumble with her ring.
 Please, Dot" said Gerald quickly, "dont say anything about that now. and please think seriously before you join those feather-brained Gilbert glrls and Charley Mason in lark at that public nasque.'
 Good afternoon" was Dorothys only reply, but as the front door closed behind him she crumpled up On the big davenport and sobbed.
 Gerald's pleading failed to keep Dor othy away from the public masqua ball, although she did decide to wear a black domino instead of the fam tastic costume she first had in mind. The Gilbert girls, Charley Mason and the two other young men in her party dressed as band of gypsies, and they were surprised and disappointed when Dorothy appeared in her domino Once in the gay crowd, though, all entered heartily into the merriment. Here and there through the hilarious crowd other dominc-clad figures were scat tered, giving a needed touch of black to the kaleidoscopic whirl of color. Some energetic domino-clad man un- dertook to gather all the dominCes together and line them up in mock protest at some Of the gayeties going on about them. Dorothy was drawn into his group, and she gayly, though silently, tried to induce a tall, broad shouldered fellow-domino to become also fellow participant in making things gay. Reluctantly, at first but gradually more willingly, the tall fig ure began to move about with some show of life.
 AS the crowd grew more mrthful Dorothy became less and less gay. Her tall companion could see that she was vainly searching for someone He squeezed her hand reassuringly and broke the long silence between them.
 T see that you have lost your friends he said simply. Will you ollnW fn haI nd bor . take you home if you cant find them?"
 A few moments later, they were en- tering a taxi, to whose driver Dor othy gave the half of a visiting card containing her residence number, hay ing nodded vigorous negative when her escort asked her destination. AS they were whirled along in the taxi, the man softly asked her to speak to him, as he was sure her voice must be as charming as were her grace and ease in dancing. He even squeezed her hand lightly, and although she was urresisting she still shook her head and remained silent. This seemed to add to the young mans determina- tiCn, for he began to plead eloquently, but was astcunded to be roughly pushed away with two tiny but deter mined hands.
 AS the taxi turned a corner. Dor othy realized that she was nearing her home, and she quickly sprang up and covered the eyes of her escort with her hands.
 Swear you won't look" she whis- pered hoarsely, and with those soft hands pressing his eyelids, the man willingly promised. A few moments later, the taxi came to a full stop, and Dorothy electrified her companion by kissing him full on the mouth and springing from the door the instant the driver opened it.
 Quite forgetting his promise he sprang after her, but took in his sur roundings with dumfounded glance. About six strides took him the distance that Dorothy had covered in sixty rap Id steps, and he overlook her just as she reached the marble-ined vestibule to her home.
 Dorothy dear" he pleaded, why didn't you let me know 1t was you?"
 Just because l wanted to see how far you'd go in doing the very things you tried to forbid me doing when I hinted l was going to this ball." she eyed him defiantly, like plucky fight CT at bay. Your tender pleading for the sound of my voice and your gen. tie squeezing of my hand when you thought 1 was somebody you didn't even know convince me that you are at least human enough to be incon- ststent and also that you're not to be trusted
 Which ought also to convince you that it's time to treat me like human and take me for better or worse." Then, very softly, he added: Don't you know dear, that it was only be- cause l wanted to look after you that l went to that old ball?"
 Dorothy had backed up against the