The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1923-06-07

whose WINDOWS were glowing Wlt0
friendly light and whose whole appear
ance seemed to say Here are life and
Joy and cOmpanionship. Come In.
You're welcome"
But in spite of the cheering appear
ance of home Ramsey felt embar-
rassedly diffident as he finally ad-
vanced up the walk to the veranda and
timidly rang the doorbell.
There was moments delay. Then
suddenly the door swung open and
Ramsey, blinking in the light, saw
masked woman standing in front OF
him and reckoning him to enter.
At least she wore no wedding ring,
so this was the writer Of the mystic
riOus note. This was his hostess.
In pantOmime the masked hostess
drew him into the room and led him
toward the fire, where the heat, on
coming In from the frosty night, felt
grateful.
But why didn't she speak? Was she
dumb?
AS though in answer to his thoughts
the masked hostess took a tablet from
the mantelpiece and wrote upon 1t
hurriedly. Then she showed the mes
sage to Ramsey. This Is what he
read:
you might hear me speak some
day. so I'll not speak tonight. You
understand don't want to be recog-
nixed'
d., nm of fhA
woman. Her eyes were twinkling be-
hind the mask. Surely she couldn't be
old. Surely she must be pretty and
attractive and lovely.
Ramsey felt his heart stirring. He
felt himself enjoying his adventure I'm
mensely.
A moment later another masked hg-
ure came into the room. Ramsey. In
5pantomime. was introduced to her
and the wedding ring on her finger
pointed out to him. This. then, was
the married sister. $500
Almost Immediately Ramsey was d.
rected to the dinner table.
In all Of Ramsey's long boarding
house experience he'd never eaten such
a dinner nor, in spite Of the silence,
broken only By hts own comments and
laughter, had he ever been in such
congenial company. It was good to
be there In this coy, warm home, with
these two women attending to him.
Yes, beyond doubt his hostess must
be young and lovely. Such splendid
adventure could have no other climax.
But all good things must end. Too
soon Ramsey found himself subtly
directed toward the door and found
his hat and coat. It was time for him
to 60. The splendid adventure was
Overt
A chill dismay ciutching at his
heart, Ramsey stopped at the door and
turned to face his masked hostess. The
married sister had said good-by In
pantomime and disappeared into the
kitchen.
Again Ramsey looked deep into tho
eyes behind the mask. This time they
were dark and inscrufable. And yet
and yet-sursly there was message
in them for him. Surely
Suddenly a great joyous sense 81
conviction swept over Ramsey. He
advanced step toward his masked
hostess, who rstreated precipitatelt.
Then he stopped.
I'll" he said, huskily. Il know
you! know you. I'd know you any
where, under any conditions. I've been
crazy about you for weeks-months,
but-but this 10 the frst time I've
ever had the courage to say anything.
Why, why did you tease me 80 with
that mans photograph in your note
book? Who is he? What 10 he 70
your
For q moment there was silence.
Then the masked hostess spoke and
the voice was Mary's voice.
Ell don't know who he ISL she
said softly. II found the picture on
the floor in the ONCE and-and-"
Now Ramsey had her II his arms.
"And let you see the picture 50 ~
to make you Jealous. But you didn't
seem to notice. And then got this
idea Of this dinner-and-oh Ramsey.
you're so slow, you old dear!"