| OCR Text |
Show THE CAMOUFLAGE COSTUME : : : : -By Dorothea c,.y. . 8b lighted the ss Km, shivering antil i tb Boat thawed Ahe. chilled air, the pea en her cocoa mt turned t th box.- Mb- -sett bed tied t earelsssly, the atria; had cam aadon And Boa, deciding with grim Httla anAle that Rivott'l humor weald i Be bo Imported kt a tumbled draw, laid It aav her Ad to npack It: - Baa twi it eat. glittering glariouety, and . wmethlar f,n from It ta Soar,- thrf Br guinea Vicket with "lady Bettlna lorna- ax" written aa tt. Saarrte bad pinned it a A bodice with a aafetpia. Brdjamer ef blue aad (old xd froth of -' i world waited for ker ad eke waa quite "loyaI to him. Wkea thee bed weed a little they would saury aad tka tka laevlteble v tiny flat tiled aa wttk ehoddy taraltare, and ah weald Mvu the dull life of tk Leodoa girt married. Planning load, wafting (or Jack, little outline, thea cklldrea and Strug, (lea, but aba waa ready for it all. 8b kted ker young clef. -No," aha aaid aofUy. "Never tela. I vanish at twelve." t : Ah will yoT Toall sup wttk m, meeting roe her. And dothink the mask kldea the voice, a If to do ehaag , It bow aad agala. So take Louis at Franc' cood advice. Her la aa hour Bile dr." Bow raetled away ta aa alcove, taking gba Uchted the ss stove, shivering antlt ' world wilted for her ad eh waa quite k tbe beat thawed Ah, chilled air. tbV " J - loTi to klm. " Wkea they bed aarad a little en ker cocoa a4 taraad ta ta box.- Mw . ; J ; . , . ., they weald saury aad take tka laevlteble sett had tied t careleaaly, tka Wring kad ' v Hay flat filled up witk shoddy faraltare. aadone And Boa, deciding witk " . '; and aha weuld lie the duB llf of the Lodo trial Httla snll thst RlTOtl'l hvuaor would , girt anrrted. Planning food. watting to i aet k imported ky a tumbled dree. laid 4 Jack, litil atina, thea chlldrea and atrut- tt aav her ld to repack It. - f . . - ' (lea, but aba waa ready for it alL 8h 8a teal It eat. gUttoriac gVsriouary. aad . , ' ' kted ker young clerk.. . aemethWfen fre It e tk aoor,' tly Br "No." he aid aofUy. "Never aaaJa. guinea Vicket wttk "lady Bttin Vt.0rna- . ' V$ - I vinlah at twelve." t - ritt.a aa tt. Baartta hai pinood , -'C - " ' " " "Ak( will yT To 11 aaa wttk km, St 4a bodic witk jilt eeftt, pifc . I " "1 metln me here. And doalthink tk Bhdauwr f bkia aad aoM d trotk J ' auk kldea the olc. even If to do ehaag , ' ,' .. V i - M ow aad agiln. 8 take Look at Franc' . ' ' 4 f , I ' good adelc. Her 1a a hour milady." J f ftl jfr J VJ Boot ractlcd away ta aa alevre, takiac - ' ' Wr : a M r real lac. What a drew! Boa drew a W-Nj'"S I ' , wrift breath. Why not? J 1 ' "Take It away and wear It, rlrt the 4 ticket' ther." r L jjr W. ' Why not? Roe oarchd her pane ferer- ' . INJY "S. ' '' ' lahly. he had nooey for a taxi. If ah llstiT v ' ' ' ' could Sad on. Sh would b Biaeked. Why llliaw VitjCV eaw not take the good the god aent aad lie v IT I '" 'VJOaNv for aac? Bee the glitter ad hear th IJV VV.Jw nrayc and mix anknowa with the throag. , 1 1 V CSW Th, duck could wim with the awua a ad ' l xvS- wko would know? ' " - .-; v tremulously, "would you aire aw tk letter aad truet me for the balance?" " "Half tke letter," he aneered, "or yw a elgned aromlw of another thro thousand end yu tab them ill.'' Be Bulled out a package. ' Ther wa cold delivery in h Toice..,Roe muiined him a aome one' Ttt of aecretary, w ha kad elotea theee letter. BIi uttcUeped the Bracelet nd laid It aa th table. Ok I boot little Bettiaa if tki Kaa held ker elgnatur. "Tare thousand eh It' " she mad her voire break. v"Oet m a -pea aad paper. If I must and let me count th let ten. I" "In doubt me," he aaewed. Bo wa enjoying It all. Bhe peusrd ta pk-rere kenelf ploying for a film. Every woman ia at bwrr aa actrew, but Roe had never realised ker gift. 8b unclasped tk bracelet, above all thing h wilted to eave Lady Bettla, 8b thought rapidly. "Olv m a pear 11 aad paper," aha Jerked out frantically. "I'll sign, but I am mad to do a." bfpbltopblw had ta (Top for bla fountain pea and aot book, th letter lay aa th edge f th mull tahl. th bracelet gleemlig richly la the ceiter. i . CRASH I Row pushed tk table over and bar quick Anger caught th letter s aha kad eees an electric ' ewitck clow to ker aad she clicked H off. Mephieta riotrked and cureed. Next moment some eoe la Mv and gold lew out of tk dlmnese. A dine was going on ab slipped Into tbe throng and through thea Into another 4rt1nj-out " plac, wher she est dowa and pushed th packet dowa laslde ker tight bodice, Is ugh -ing aad trembling aa she did w. Tea, thle waa life. Baa had bwUn UephlMa. . Peeping out, (he ww at ephtste surge by, tk bracelet dangling from kla finger and thumb. ' "So, Bette I've found yu you ram Ok I my deer!" ' Tbla ttm li wa a Pierrot, Soured and grotesque, wko ran la aad stood before her, kia attitude an of worship. ' Ha caught ker bar band. "Ok I you dear eld sport you cam. So tt'i ta be all right again and yoa won't cast your Benny." Now Bow felt that she disliked th Pierrot Pier-rot aad his bard flippant voice almost a much as th snarling blackmailer. Bh eneed hi shallow selfishness. He wt dowa beside her. t "Betta you've got no rings on- Bstts. see 11 get tbow (illy letter and write aa fie... a oi da ar enough. And I say, that draw la topping. I knew U at once, WW your Mae aad gold, aad followed." . He est clow to ker. Very clow. -"Ok t good evening, Betttna, I understood . tLat ye were aot coming ker hut when I got borne aad found yoa away, I took th liberty of seeing for esyetlf. It wi aawiw ta tell m what yea were to wear, my dear. Blue aad Hliw H friar an eormplcooa. So tbla la why yea weald not 'Bate wttk me." Sir Hsrbert Btorawy'a TBie waa tnw and wd, but without mercy ta It. Tbla 1 rout glvea word, your keeping tt flth. No, Bea, eve floor and a seek don't dlegulw re. Ob I you make m tired. Bet tins." Tb Pierrot gruated uneasily. ' Row put ber hand p where tb packag of letter ansirf tgslnet ker oft ekln. Bhe knew pow that th shlnklng girl ksd keen efrsld of eipoeure and dlograce. Poor Utile fool . who bad perbipt found out a maa'i worth too late. i rr 8HALL not go to the ball." Lady A Bettlna tmped bet foot. "I bate I : tb dreee." - - Buaetta, the maid, folded a foamy look' lag peignoir with en eauiewloq at impatience, impa-tience, and Row Deere gasped. ' It waa tk night of th hug fancy drew ball la London. Ravoli'a bad had a many orders that their wort-room war littered wttk acrapa of silver tissue and doth of gold, of mock jewels aad fur aad berriea. aad work girl kad been kept up all night to finish tka order. Among tk medley of garnlaner and gorgeouanew th costume ordered by Lady Bettiaa Stornaway kad stood apart la Ua Beauty. Row Dura' bad been the' model for tk fltdnga. ' 8b had stood la the bhw powdered draw witk golden fleur de-lls, aad drwmt f what It would feel like to go t tb . dine. Xady Beftinl bad spoke Imperiously ovf tb phone, but It waa impossible to tLnljk before Hx 'clock aa tk eveniag of om ball. - . BavoU hlmwlf kad esaaa to How Deer. "On cannot trust, tb miwmgw hoy or W taxi IClw Daere would abllga f she would drlv to Oraevenor Boaara aaddelivw tb draw ia pmwam.- v A taxi kad Jerked nd glided sfiong tb badly kept streets, Laodoa bad, aa yw recovered, aad . Bow had mg esd gone In."' ,' " "Th young penoa from HavolTs. Yw." Bow bad been aabered sno k laxarioua aeom. expecting to see Lady Bettlna .rusk toward Joyoualy. Aad fnatwtl aa ww a girl with tragi eyes, )p parting mat!-. " Bouily, who atamped wbe the) bin aad gold draw waa unpacked. - Lady Bwrlaa kad eboeea tb ekaraeew of afadama iyAaibocw la tbe draw ra which tb wlotaatad bwity eptestelned tb am?-aoa'aad am?-aoa'aad aperstldou Leni tt Tmmet at uyp. Lady Betttna witched tbe aapactrng somber ry, bar, ten per flashing eat at Buwtts' first etrrlU cry of admiratMa. "Earlaeant ehlo let blea do del a th ayw of milady." Take th thing avsy; it'a wroo-.- , ' "Oh, milady! Aa' the pa cere write lot tb wonderful dree wklck 'aa beam wUapexwJ efi th character aa yet aakaowa. tt la f aa exauljdtanew. Via tb ticket.' 'So- -aett pinned eometMng on tka corsagei 1 Ta Which Lady Bettlna replied that saenafeeopl w of foallihiMw, and twisted hsrhaad. fcarobief mrttfl tt tors Ut skreda. Baaa Dacre, watcbina. thought that ther aaa snmsthlng hslow rblg-dMUk of th v - 4iwa - '''" "Vu eraorsaT ban tnt ZaqV Bettlna. 9 wiUfl would aot kv a gotden rtomsrhsr, X oxdered tnrouolesa, and I hata.fancy drew. Tik it bach ta BavoU and say it hi fcult." Lady Betttna stamped again, aa pet-- tfaxtt child do dafylng hla mother aak eaowtly frightened to dwth. Bh looked . svritfeiuV Bow shiimsd. B Revolt' lost Lady Bet ' ttsaf Batanv, they would tlam some en. Koa saight b aocosed of baring blundered. TTJ DO fsoa It, Lady Bettlna muttered ta huseit hw slender bs jeweled finger twisted togaChw. "I can't It' ao use." Ber Up trembled again. "Dow any oa know of xay drew 7" tb asksd uddealy. "I don't know, msdam. W hsvs U eea and admired It, bat w do aot dlscuw the ordera." "Tab Che thing awy, wwr It yourself. " he anapptd. "Busett ha pinned tb ticket an X expect. Tike It, X wy I won't go and I won't. CaD a taxi, Suwtte, pay tb fare back ta Revolt's that's enough, gU." SVTJJVl't cmshsd th drew lata Its royal f bin box. Row going slowly toward tb door lookad back at .the big luxurious room, . tbe (litter of silver end dull beauty of ivory nd tortolseehell oa th dressing table, tb big bin eovwrltd bed, and a (lrl crouch m dowa ta a. low chair, with her face set la -dernair.aad tear welling la ber eye. Jaat aa Boa waat out, a talL giete-eyed ma kad Ut hlmwlf ta with latchkey and called to Busette. 'jTbs butler cam forward. "What' that?' ' He ladyship' drew. " Bh I ot going ta tb bIL" A door-opened door-opened apetslrs. "Aad 1 kv only a second , to get ta tb ttloa. (let my eoat. Bate thank you." Bur Herbert looked worried, t k berluted. A door alsmmed smphotloelly. "Tell her mdywbip. No, I (ban be back at midnight." "Fear shUTing, miw rhatti eoougb tbe taxi ia toand." Ravoll would b stmt op. Row told tb Baa to dslv ta tb Oxford Circa Tub Statioa. Sba bmawd book, thinking dismally. What weuld tbey wy t BavoU' wbn ab walked ta with bar bra bea. Hlw Knox, th alias, suave toreeromsn, whose tongue ceuld huh and attng. aad stout Bsvoll , hlmwlf. explostv a ta terAPer, tbey would ' probably dauniw hw tost a she hoped for B rlw la wiary. And It would be due to lady Bettlna' temper. Hoee'l yw soft-sued, soft-sued, poor, (potlt, frightened beauty, crying ' la her wa room. What wa behind It? Bow wrinkled bar smooth fcrehwd. Lady Bettlna had com to BavoU' with a bub who wa not tb gnv-eyed sir Herbert. A weak-faced, good-looking msn, whom aha nll ad Benny Lady Bettlna had muttered the word. They bad their tragedies, thew great ladle, who would lot go to ball whea tbey could. Tk night waa raw, a bitter fog veiling - the lights, a stlQ penetrating cold gripping XjocuIobu ' Bow paid th man. Thjnly clad, ahe waa glad to get Into the bustling warmth of tb lighted tub. . Hw big box was awkward in tb crowd is ahe held it her kaeee. Girls read tka gold emblaaoned aame Rvoll'. "For th dance," on mid enviously. "If It wesn't so cold, I'd go to see 'cm rua ta. It'll be fine, I tell yoa. Bow smiled to herself wistfully. Jf only ' ah could go. Bh toiled up tb steep stairs to her bed-ittlng bed-ittlng room she liked t live aloa, and dreaded the publicity of tb excellent bom for girl la London. , ' J- . ' i "Tbe letters ! Bnow them to him," ei. 1 the devil dramatically. . "Some businew letter you stol irr a ' Lord Bra," wld Bow loudly. 8h ca7 Pierrot it th door. . Pierrot' appears nee was drsmitlr. Yt .he threw the tee, th chill lump striking tn devil's chia, and followed it with I rrt ."of rige. . . ' " rViltere you sneak," he wld. . . . Red end white gripped and spun rierrot' loow calico fluttering, Mephisto' ilgot quivering. "I ll kill yoa I'D you robber." T3B devil broke dear aad fled, Iwvtaf a bora In Ben' band Pierrot wiped tie hot face, "More ma than I took yoa for, Ben." wid Herbert, "nd I think -I have a tlgnt to see tbow letters." Row got ap yiwnlng. : "Why should you see my letter," she wid. "Yea presume. My bracelet also, thank you.. Wb am IV Bh stocked 81r Herbert, "A Lady of Fraac, M'sieu. . And ' you" ehs wheeled on Blr Herbert "g bom to your wife and doa't tell her bow you Insulted me." Pierrot collapsed. Blr Herbert followed ' Madams D'Ambolw. "I hsrs an idea," he wld, "the X doa't know everything." "Wb dow?" eh aweked, aad slipped . . away to King Louie. Row' evening wa over sfter supper. . 8be bid to go some mlnu some badly aeeded money and plus (tela on tb hundred- guinea gows but ab did aot cere. It hsd "" bee worth it." Let Ravoll rage, the would go a tk stag. At Bine next morning, bos la band, Bow wae et Oroevenor Rouir. Bh must ' see hw ladyship it was urgent. - ' Lady Bettlna, white and win. wis la . bed, traces of tears oa ber face. Bhe looked op. "Whet le It, girl?" she wld petulantly. "I will not be worried by explanation from BavoU. H Bud a mlstaks, hi must keep th drew." Suwtte hovered. "I wish to speak re to alone," wld Row quietly. "My name is Row Dacre." "Leave ua. Burette well, whet do you went?" Row looked it Bettina's weary, miserable face, then she took out the package of letter let-ter and laid them oa th bed. "Reed thow, count them," wld Rose, "aad thee,, th fir 1 alight, I'll put then there for you." ' ' ' . Thea Bettlna ehrieked. Bhe clutched it tk handle of letters. "What dow It mwn?" she cried. "How did yea get them?" She spring oat of bed, thrusting tb psckst Into tb beirt of th Ire, shuddering they filmed and black. - snsd, nd word stood out. , "Fool!" eh muttered. "Bat tell m whet dow It mwr Row told her story of ber longing to - -wwr tb drees, bow sh hsd gon to.th ball (nd been mistaken for Lady Bettlm. "Herbert went ther. Oh, Eos," caet Was forgotten, they were merely two worn, n, on afraid and ia trouble. "Oh! girl, I wei deeperite. Thit msn, Walter, got hold of those' letters ind threatened me. He demanded a Urge eum and I had not a penny. I told Benny, but he could not help me, rather laughed at It ill. And I love my husbaad. Whea I saw ths trsp whlih I had made for myself, I knew whit hi low would meia. I only fooled to mike klm jealoue I " Bettlna eobhed. "I'm trusting you. Herbert would here divorced B U k kad sees thew. I wai so hope lew waiting ker last night, longing for 1 Herbert to come up to me. Afrsld to fie tb blsckmiller at th dine. Cod wnt 10 to ma" Th two girl clung together. "I'll pay ye for th drew, and you caa kwp it. At yoa engaged, Xw? Thea 1'U buy your trousswa." "No, little ledy," Row shook hsr bead. "Ships hare passed la the night, that 1 ill, ind on baa rescued a fellow creature. Be. member thit I spoke to Sir Herbert but Bight. He muet not hear my voice agsln. Lie bravely, it ia worth it. to know nothing. Toa gave aw the drew, la fit of rag. Aad yoa do not know what I did witk it. I came back today, and you eon Sri th gift. I shall leave Ravoll' in I week." "Tkea I must help," wld Bettlna. "Tee, you are right. And my penniee were met. ' pherical. I have aa allowance, but could not kav paid Walter the big um which v' be wanted." Bhe took some notes from a little beadbag. "Please tak them," she wid, tremulously, "end leave me your address. ad-dress. I cannot realise thet my feu ar ' " ever." - 1 Busett knocked. "Blr Herbert asks for milady." ' "Bend kim ' up," wld Lady Bettiaa, ' happily. Row ww one more the shop girl, quiet " end deferential. "I shall give the message, mes-sage, mllsdy." sli wld. "Good morning. ' milady, and good-by," ah whispered. Row ' passed Blr Herbert Dcr oa tb stairs. He running Up, love, tenderness, repent nc In bis eye. - MILADX will rry a little and 11 a greet deal, thought Row. Probably abuw me, but she, poor butterfly, has had ker las- ' '-bob, '-bob, and I am phii a gown and mlnu a ' sltuatloa. . " - : Busette cam ecu trying like a mouse, n msid begged for aa explanation. "Ravoll' wnt me with a message," wid ' ' Row. "Boa jour, Santte." ' ' "Busette) La! Impertinence.' said Rescue. Re-scue. "An' lies. 1 shall yet find eat." . Row apologised meekly ms- Bsvoll s. Bh would give aetir liter hi tb day. Bhe ' ' Ileteeed ae the glrle talked f tbe great bill. " "It was lively; I went ther In bin 14 slhrer," wid Row. "I ww tse dresses, th row gardea, ' tb Ne Trumper, tbe nymph, who wae all aympb and ne frock." No oa believed her, but she married ta few weeks, and sometime thought that it was a dream. But a year later sh sent a tiny phn-cushloa, a. doll dries..! 1 Hue 'aad gold brorad. t Ldy Beit ... s baby sou, smiling tenderly ss see wnt it ei. - "If I f o to Sir Herbert" Roe draw back. MephUU' kewatk vm wa h boulder "what would ha fllv m7" ' real law. Whit a drew! Row drew a awift breath. Wby not? "Take It away and wear It, girl the ticket' than." Why not? Row eearcbed her purw feverishly, fever-ishly, rjhe bad money for a taxi, if ab could find on. Sh would b masked. Wky J Bet tak tb good tbe gods sent aad live for once? See the glitter aad bwr th raoac and mix anknowa with tke throng. Th duck could swim witk the ewana aad wko would know? , 'The cocoa boiled ever. A box of wrdlaw winked vainly aa Row danced serosa fehe JBoor. Bhe had a pair of bin (ilk noes 'she would go one would. , 8b piled her fair hair and emptied tt box ef powder on to It sh picked up the drew. ' The bodice booked la front, busking up ker sllra form, bar whit arm were! bare, her hilr frosty pele there was a loan; filw curl to pia oa to her bilr. Row ssvef herself la th small glass as fair if aot aa fat, a vlsioa a tb Clara d'Iscbe who dad been mated Com tease d'Am boles, sndfcnid be- witched Louis of France. Blue stockings, a fin, and ehedwas ready for fairyland. If tb draw was toaied ltj nrould not he her fiulc Ravoll weuld no doubt belter that Lady Bettin bed tried It ran. Row ecalded her throat with hot cocoa j ehs pirouetted and danced, (bumming a Frag time. Her heart throbbed. Tbla wa ' ttf nd adventure. She triad an ths mask, noting how whit hw chin looked below th ' lata. 8b counted th miButw Txotll ah could put on her goloahw aad coats, and slip out ; law th fog. It loomed end swiried tbe cold, Intenw. Bow groped along, hw blBoering skirts held dow antll lack wnt hw altaxi. "Albert Hill right." TTHB clutch slipped la antd Row put oa ber bio l hoes. Sh wsW shivering bow with expectation th taxi' tell behind a etiing of opulent limousine, lit meter clicking click-ing up tup peaces, bat Row did aot count them. Her cab came , sliding to tb door aa a Charles Surface andl a allm Winter got wit. Ravoll' bed nsd th Winter coatusM for a Duehw Bp knew the bead-drew. bead-drew. Aad ahe we gotag la beside the ewaer. Laughter bubbled, ia Bow' throat. 8b grew a little frightened ia the warmth f th veetibule; ber hUaket cost looked shabby and arrange as, eh stood smong women cloaked in velvetdaad kroeade. Hw heart missed a beat aa ebe headed ber ticket ta tke official. "Cloak room oa tbetrigkt, milady," he wid respectfully. Bb ww klm ay her cost the cloak room wa full of nymphs and witches VI Vcmoae. Queens end Ondcrellaa, all preening preen-ing and powdering eadtpatting their hair. Aa Row slipped eft hw coat she stood a little proudly, ber Billowing magnificence reflected ia tb long- mirror. Bom one wblspedrd. Row put her bend up I w if her mask waa secure. Bb lsuthed wftly. ' . Vet she felt lord a ab went down to tbe dancing rooma aad wai gild to get a r seat aad witch. , After ea bourn he girl begs a t get loeehy . the bid corn to Felrylaad. but she did not know the fairies. She wanted to talk to enaw one. , 8be w thirsty and itriia t Bhe let ber binds drop, sitting la the attitude which ebe had takea when interviewing inter-viewing Mephisto. "Tea sent ef your drew and followed tt. Dust stings, but dow not blind. It' deete with bow our llf." Row w quick to catch tb aot of kepelew, bnffied love. Oh! poor, silly Bettlna. Bet-tlna. Bh could aot pay and feared. Row pieced It all together. And Mephisto awed thle Lord Ben a grudge and would have paid hi debt la fun. A HOST of womea crowding Into a court. Publicity, dlegrece; all for the Pierrot huarhed limply la kla cbeir, his kind plucking pluck-ing at ki grotwque drew. "Herbert, by gad thhj I a dine," - gulped Pierrot. "Absurd Othello stunt, ' gone out y'kaow. Row let kw laughter loow. "There, she' got hysterics," raid Lorl Bea. "I it feather or Ice whet. Tea cheek It, Herbert, eld been." "Oh ! I don't know what you're talking about," stormed Row, jumping sp. "To are very rude. Drewee, wby may I aot kav a draw of blue aad gold?" Bh untied ber mask. Blr Herbert ec-tuelly ec-tuelly reeled, ee ke looked into a sweet, hslf-frlghtened fac, meet certainly aot hi wife'." "I I I'm Meet," he wld bwvily. "I er .1 er " , "la, you did err. Apologise," wid Ben, hie voice shaking. "Play up," be whispered to Raw. "Bay yea know us, for God' wki." "Lord ah um Benjl , brought m ben," wld Row, "for aa Ice. Go and get It, Ben, pleew. Vanilla." Pierrot shuffled out vaguely with a pus-sled pus-sled air. "Aad you." Row looked at tall ha Herbert. "I doa't know who joe take me for, end you are very cross, sr Is tt a gime?" "It la almost beginning to be an," he , wld quietly. "A good game for a. I took you for my wife, midime." At this point Mephisto leaped Into th alcove, and a alao reeled, etanding eiaca-meutkad, eiaca-meutkad, hi lea limb wgglng. . .. "There is tb ma a wb (tola my hreee-let," hreee-let," wid Row. "Snatched it.o a tsbls," tke mock bracelet still dangled la Mepbleto'i limp bend. "It'e paste," said Row, "but worth tw pound." "Toa gtv m my letters," yelped Me. phlste. "Yoa" be caught Sir Herbert' eye aad ewillowod e word, "yea chest." "Letter," wld Raw, finning herself. "Some eae etw warns w bar mistaksa yoa." Herbert grew teaw. Row' smile ceased, tbla wae fresh danger. . t go to th buffet, wondering if one paid fxtra for .tea or coffee. , , "May a King epwk to hi eubjeet?" A smallish man had spoken to Row. He wore a brocade long coat, plumed kit, red-heeled shoe, order bluing ea ki brwit, ind cloeely masked. "I am Louis, kia moot sacred Majesty Louis XIII of France, and you arvT' j "Madame D'Ambolw," ebe faltered, rising ris-ing and with a laugh curtseying. Row wae e mimic. She remembered Lady Bettlna' voice with Its low drawl and Impatient Im-patient tnteaation. Tou are Louis of France?" shs asked. "'Tw, madam and my lov."vMe started a aba apok. "And let me get yoa some, ofiw or shell we educe and thea ge a Aiaatlng ta VerwiUm?" Row took th coffee gratefully, nibbled aa Iced wke ead weat out re Join the glittering glit-tering dancer. Queen, fairies, wltcbw Jessed IsMwagruously. "Oh ! ahadw of Paris. "h wld. "A lady i in the royal fleur-de-lis Jawing and doing 'it well. Look at Queen NCllubetk doing the hwiutioa aad Lady Jane Grey the roll. Aad yoa I almost thought" be etopped sbruptly. Row wae really enjoying herwlf now. Bhe loved dsacing; ker breath am quickie ami her bean tbrobbvd la sheer joy of life. As tbey left the (dancing hsll soms on jostled gainst thw, .spilling n lee oa ber drew. ' Row crtedut pltnouely. "Oh! It aurked. It's (polled. Wkit will I doe?" - "Bat tt'e only atiny mark." He scrub bed at At with hla lace-edged kssdkerehllf. 'Aka, sgilady, perdAre trembling." He took kw thea for Lady Bettiaa. ' "let that tiy mark will convict tbe criminal," ana faltered. "See the blue le etelsjrd. Oh, dearM Life costs " 8h etsod. tb glittering Muff nieed la her- heads, which were glovelw and bar of riags. WhnB could aba wy to Rivoll. lie weald make, kw pay week by wwk. tea ntw ef wlar.vf would never com bow." "But wfcatTcsBptt matter to you?" be aald. pswb. ' Thea be (tared hard at ber .masked fae "Wedding ring off masked aad aerry., le It wortk all this? Straight pats are si 11, bet obey lead to quiw old age. Alll ah little eheltered walks doa't. y dear Give the men p, he's not worth ft milsdy." "I aw Madame D'Ambolw. Sire," aaid Hoar retjevering herwlf. "My aim I Clara." "Pareiaa Kings ar privileged I merely similar llf advice." Roes shook ber fair hwd. She wee eat ia Fiiltflaad, but eome one of her wa coffee vrltk ber. Sh wt dowa oa law cbeir. A dine waa going ea, aad ewy nooks were vacant. She wee wtlag aad dreaming whea a Mephisto, hie red tight outlining scraggy limbs, came In swiftly. t . "8 you ceme," he snsrlsd. "And yeur mild wten I phoned wid yoa would not. But I know th drew. Csprtctous. rs you? Well hsvs yoi got ths money. Hey?" Bo there wis a rwson for Ledy Bettiaa' fright. Row wt up, her slender arau milk white en her blue lip ebe mwnt to aw It through ebe wai thrilled. "Hive I" ebe drawled. "I doa't know. How mack wis It?" Mephisto muttered "Cool!" through hie beard. "Not frightened sow, he eneered. "Tou'v got jt thea. Flv thou, for tke letters, aad dirt ehwp at that. Oh I doa't tell me agala they're only foolish. If I show them to Sir Herbert his lordship' letters, I think we'U aw." Row grew rigid. Sir Herbert wee Ledy Bet tine's husband. Sh recalled the etona tossed little figure huddling dowa late if ceeir witk eyw brimful of fwr aad tragedy. A broken little butterfly wb bad perkepe repented re-pented end found out kw kusbead'e wortk toe late. Bo Bettlna kad bee afraid t come te th ball aad tbla was the res eoe why. Blackmail. "If I go to Sir Herbert" Row drew beck, Mepkisto' breath wea ea her shoulder shoul-der "whet weuld he give me?" "Kirk," drawled Bow haughtily. "Aad Be mosey. Devil, I fwr." Mepkisto wld "Hskl" aad aaaried agala. It seemed a habit of hi. "Wby b w eindlcttvr ebe (aid. "Wby dog me To 're afraid te aek kia lordship " ebe drew a bow at venture. "He'd rather like tke publicity yea wen t. Tt If yea doa't pay, is I aw my lord a grudge, I'll see yeur nine dragged drag-ged through the dirt, lady Bettiaa.' "Oh tar!" said Bow. Her bead had never ehakea. tbey (till lay lily white against the blue ead gold, but . ebe thought at Lady Bettlna la hw place. Frightened, without tb awaey W pay, shivering, deeper te. waenaa had appealed to woman la that hut look. Row' wits, grew sharp. "If a gnat deal ef money," she falterea. "I ealy have aa sllowinc." "Thow rubiw are worth half at it," the awl's angloved head leschsd Bow's erm, Now Row wore a bracelet which she hsd wasted tw pounds ea at the Glitter Diamond Company, hot it winked redly ia the shaded light. "If I gave kt ta yoa," ahe whispered |
