The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-11-19
AT THE
MASQUE
BALL
90. Doubleday. Page & Coz
By WALTER o. MARQUIS


bosom there was sensation OF deep
emptiness, the more poignant for
twinge Of grief for her love, deliber-
ateIy murdered by Jim Meryin's
cruelty.
Today her hatred was keen-hatred
grown out Of the ashes Of a passionate
devotion, withered In the frost Of
mutual boredom with matrimony. Ten
years Of marriage had borne only
great WEAKNESS. She was
weary now but rest was ahead.
Probably she never would see him
again.
Presently she was conscious only
of a great relief; thankful that
this long struggle was over. Re
Freedom !" she whispered. and she
closed her eyes
Jim Mervin received the news with
wry smile and sat hunched over his
desk for many minutes. She had
done it; this irksome bond had been
sloughed away.
Two years ago, he reflected. the
word that Grace had divorced him
would have been distressing; five
years ago it would have been like the
blight of death-today 1t was good
good
He had treated her shamefully; he
could not blame her for Kidding her
self of him. He had struck her-he
WINGED at the remembrance. Goaded
to fury by her implied taunts at his
failure to keep alive her love, and
her Haunting of her friendship for
Brett Forbes in his face, he had struck
her during one of those mad quarrels
which had punctuated the final two
years, when wedlock had become a |
hell.
Well, she had done It Probably he |
never would see her again and |
he was glad of it.
Life, with her new perspective, |
seemed beautiful to Grace. Her |
movements were unhampered; there
was not that old deterrent factor in /
her friendship for Brett Forbes. She
enjoyed his hospitality, at theater and
In restaurant; and did she choose to
lie abed until noon the next day, she
need not endure the sting of Jim Mer-
wins disapproval.
She was much in Forbes company;
his constant courtesy bred in her a
certain fondness which made her
afraid. His comradeship was delight
full, and although it lacked much that
is contained in connubial existance,
she feared to chance sacrificing ii on
the altar where had been destroyed
her love for her former husband
Forbes daily urged marriage, and
the idea grew attractive; from con-
sdering it as a possibility, she saw
1t as a probability . but always
In the background was that blacI
shadow; her dead love for Jim Mer-
vim. Might not this new passion die
the same death?
The problem alternately stirred and
detected her; torn between a desire
to yield and a terror of yielding, she
fed from him and from her inclina-
lions. For more than a year
she remained away, in France ann
Italy.
Grace Mervin's return was on the
eve of the annual masque at the Cos
mos club. She was eager. 1t had been ,,
two years since she has been in the
joyous midst of this revelry.
Forbes met her at the dock. as she =
knew he would. but to his pleading
that he be permitted TO remain with ,
her. she returned a gentle no"
Tomorrow night" she said. "at the $
Cosmos masque. No. not beforel" $
'Tell me what you'll wear" he h
begged. but she put him off with a e
smile. h
You'll know" she told him. Your g
love. if it is as deep as you say it is, a
will tell you'll And l." she added very d
softly. shall know you" f
He caught the implication quickly o
and his heart leaped. He pressed her b
hand and left her looking after him. e
"I'n know him." she whispered. and o.
longing became a part of her. "When
ne asks me again. I'll know what to X
c
1t was in such a mood that Grace e'
arrived at the Cosmos club, alone, u
lad as Columbia. In her months of vi
she had analysed her feel !"
ng for Forbes and had become con-
-inced that Ii was love. The ghost
# that former marriage no longer
launted her; she believed in GER A
ainty of lasting happiness with Brett. e'
she would accept him tonight. hi
She searched for him in the press ri
# merrymakers, but failed to pick A
i'm out among the dozens of cos al
umed men. This was disappointing III
he had been so positive that some of
ague spiritual thing would draw them en-
ogether. WI
A tall, well-built dancer in marine 5"
Ulcers uniform brushed her shoulder Id
nd she started She turned TO look Z"
( him. and found his eyes intent So
pom her. Here was Brett Forbes! re-
he thrill that came from that in 'oi
l