Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-20

II casionally and had sent me flow
ers and books. L greeted his WIS.,
It's with delight He was my very good
friend as he had requested. There had
been nothing in his manner nor speech
to cause me the slightest uneasiness or
to make me feel embarrassed when with
him.
What does Robert say to Harper
Carleton coming to see you?" Myrtle
Caldwell asked one day. mo one dreams
he comes to see Robert, you know"
He always asks for him. l par
ried.
VERY tactful I'm sure" she laughed.
But look out, Margaret, 1t isn't only
widows who are dangerous. WidoweIs
are also unsafe, especially young, good
looking ones.
Harper can't hold a candle to Rob-
ert as far as looks go"' I exclaimed.
That's a matter Of taste. Of course,
Roberts features are better and his eyes
and hair darker; but there is a certain
devil-may-care look about Harper Garlic
ton that's extremely fascinating. Rob-
ert's face is rather stern, you know
But I thought you admired Harper!
stammered, aghast at her criticism.
"I do, you silly! I was just teasing
you. Now I'll tell you what came for.
| am going to give a masquerade dance
and I want you and Robert to be sure
and come Christmas will soon be
here then everyone will be busy. so I'm
giving 1t next week. Think up some
thing quaint or different to wear, won t
YOU? You might dress Robert up as a
-crusader; it would be in keeping with
his character"
ooh, how lovely! Who shall you
have?"
"Oh, every one! That is, all but Har-
per Carleton. OF course, he couldn't
come so soon after his wife's death It's
too bad, too, he's always such an addl-
ton to any party"
As soon as she had said that Har-
per, of course, could no< go. / suddenly
lost much of my interest in the dance
But ] contrived not to show 1t, and be-
fore Myrtle left 1 was once more enthu-
siastic.
II have asked Phyllis Lawson" she
told me as she rose to go, II thought
it would be a good time for me to show
her that none of us blamed her. / met
Robert In the street, and when l told
him of my party, he suggested that l
invite her.
He asked you to invite Mrs. Law
SOM" 1 queried, hot with jealous rage.
mo, not really! He just suggested
that a big affair would make 1t easy for
her TO meet people. She is very sensi-
tive about her divorce, he told me-"
Yes. L believe she is" 1 replied, I'M
able to keep sarcasm from my voice.
A masquerade had always interested
me wonderfully. ! used to say that the
characters adopted were an expression
of the wearers' desires. What would
Phyllis Lawson wear? 1 must find out
so that l could watch her. She would
probably tell Robert, perhaps Myrtle.
When Robert came in l spoke to him
of the dance.
Yes. | met Myrtle on the street and
she told me she was giving mas
querade," he replied.
You will go?"
81 expect so. 1 know of nothing now
to hinder"
What shall you wear?'
"Oh, I'll leave that to you. Only don't
make me ridiculous"
How would you like to go as an old
crusader"
That's all right" he laughed. BE
sure you get me a beard or every one
will know me-"
III get you a black beard and wig
You really will look stunning in such an
outfit"
What shall you wear?" he asked,
showing unusual interest, / thought
"Oh, I haven't decided! Some musical
character. perhaps!"
Not Little Bo-Peep. or a Spanish
girl. or"
NO, indeed" l interrupted. Give me
credit for a little more originality. In
fact. l don't think l shall let you know!
1t would be rather interesting to hear
what you would say to a woman of
whose identity you weren't sure!"
Robert laughed heartily.
Perhaps 1 might make love to you"
THAT, too. would be rather interesting
because so unusual
Don't be sarcastic, Margaret l hate
it in a woman
You're mistaken! That wasn't sar-
The next few days were busy ones
for me. | made trip to the adjoining
town to procure part of the crusaders
costume ! had planned for Robert, and
to get a blond wig fer myself. I was
determined my disguise should be per-
feet; that not even Myrtle should know
who | was.
You will please run along to the
party like good boy" 1 told Robert
laughingly the night of the, ball. I'm
coming by myself"
But Margaret" he started to protest.
"But no butts" l quoted, laughingly,
81 have ordered a taxi to come for me.
so I shall be all right" then. as ! saw
frown on his face. | added: please
don't spoil my little joke. Robert" and
without saying more he went on.