The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1919-01-28
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
MASKED VICTORY
Copyright, 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate)
BY MONA DoRR.

| cigar. "But my dear Stewart, don't
want to marry simple little Della. She
is nice girl, but hardly my choice"
"Give that girl the advantages of
those city dolls, and she would out
shine them ALL" answered Stewart.
''If were younger I'd not be encour-
aging you"
corridor stifled the cry which rose to
her lips as she heard the remarks
of the two men.
She hurriedly entered her room, and,
| throwing herself on the bed, broke
| into sobs.
Miss Boynton cher hostess) had in
vited her, and other guests, to spend
the week end at her beautiful country
residence.
AS she lay there, a plan suddenly
| formed in her mind; and hastily ris-
ing and bathing her eyes, she crossed
the hall and knocked at the door.
"COme in," called a melodious voice.
''Do sit down, 1 want to chat with
you" Then as she noticed the girls
red lips. "Why, Della, what's the
trouble?"
| AS Della cOnfided her plan, the girl
! smiled and nodded from time to time.
"Just you wait !" cried Beatrice
Lang. "We'll made them take notice."
and she gave Della big hug. Then
| they settled down to discuss the great
secret
The girls were very busy the next
few days, planning for the masquerade
ball, which the hostess was giving to
close her entertainment.
At seven o'clock that evening Della
entered Beatrice's room, and seated
herself in chair (placed for her) in
front of the dressing table.
Beatrice first pulled the lace cap
| from her friends head revealing a
mass of beautiful golden curls. This
she piled up on the girls head; then
catching up lovely pink gown, she
passed it to her and told her to hurry
into it.
Della took from a box a pair of
pink satin slippers, and silk stockings,
and putting them on, stood up for her
friends inspection.
"My dear!" exclaimed Beatrice. "No
one would ever know you" and she
turned the girl to the mirror.
"Pll do" she laughed, as a rosy
flush spread over her face.
Dor Beatrice snapped. eff every
one doesn't pronounce you the belle
of the ball I'll miss my guess"
She then picked up mask and p1ac-
ing it over the girls face, gave her
push saying: 'Now, run along"
Meanwhile Della had reached the
| ballroom and was Immediately claimed
for the first dance, which was then
about to commence.
AS she whirled about, her eyes fell
on q familiar figure.
"WhO is that stunning-looking girl
with Jack Morrill?" asked Fred Os-
borne of a youth standing near.
"Don't know" was the answer. "She
is a beauty. But one can't recognize
any Of the girls in these COMPOUNDED
things they're wearing"
aren't you masking?" Beatrice was
asked as she appeared.
'No," she answered. 'T must be
away in q short while"
Della was in her second dance, when
young man entered the room. He
was rather effeminate, perhaps, but de-
cidedly good-looking. Wandering about
he at length came up to Fred
Osborne.
"By Jove! What beautiful girl ="
, he calculated. "Can you tell me who
( she is?'
81 couldn't" said Fred.
In some way the stranger so maneu-
! vered that Fred obtained only the last
two dances.
By this time his anger had reached
the boiling point; but to all questions
regarding the young man, Della an
swered by light laugh.
At II o'clock came the call to I'm.
mask; as Della drew hers from her
face, Fred looked at her in astonish-
ment.
"Why! It's little Della" he cried.
Yes, little Della" she returned. ''But
do look who is claiming your attan-
ton"
Fred turned and confronted the
stranger, who had so puzzled him.
Then, as his eyes rested on the face for
moment hearty laugh broke from
his lips.
"Well, Miss Lang" he cried, that
w"s one great joke on me-"
Someone then spoke to Beatrice, and
Fred drew Della out to the beautiful
gardens.
There, in the lovely moonlight, he
asked her to be his wife.
''But," the girl followed his question
by another, "do you forget a certain
conversation you held a short while
ago."
Fred thought for a moment, then
said: "You can't mean the day Stew
art and were talking?"
"That is just what I mean," said
Della.
"My DEAR" cried he, twill you for
give that thoughtless remark? For
tell you truly, did not intend Stewart