"STAR" TALES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7332, 19 February 1902, Page 4

" STAR " TALES.

THE LUCK OF A MASQUERADE. (By R. E. VERNEDE.) Watts Dunstanton drove. "To keep the chill off is to keep the hand in," he explained to Roger, and " Burn me," he added, "t)ut 'tis a cold morning, and Sir Harry the deuce of a shot." He kept the mar© at- fc> a brisk clatter accordingly, so that the physician behind clung to the handrail convulsively, and you could bear all his instruments a-shake in their box. Roger was glad that his cousin was content to do the driving, since for. his owu part he wanted to reflect. Never had he felt less inclined to act second in a duel. It seemed such a poor end to that glorious masquerade of the night before; to be bound—^only four hours later — f or the lower fields of Hampstead, there to look" % on two men facing each other with pistols in the frost of the morning, and one his cousin. It was likely to be a bloody business, too, for the men were to fight until one or other was disabled. And though the business of war was Lieutenant Roger Dunstanton's own business, yet this affair was inopportune. How should he look forward to-the crack of pistols, when, for the first time in his life, the sound of a lady's voice was lingering like music in his heart? To b> 'dragged from his dream into this deadly scuffle was intolerable. To the beat of the mare's hoofs on the road he went over the whole events^ of the night. First boredom, then fascination, and lastly, a rude waking to the bcowls aud brawling in_ the card-room— thos& were the events in order. The boredom began, almost at the beginning of the, ball, for Roger, being fresh from campaigning in the Low Countries and a life that was energetic, if. not glorious, found himself -alien from the glitter and the ih«*t, the dancing and the incessant violins. It seemed all tongue and prancing—this masquerade^ — the dancing brisk enough, the chatter lively enough, but to glide and exchange ■ gossip all night long with a mask promised to end in monotony. If the ladies had but discovered their faces, it would have . been better. Roger began to explain his view of masquerades somewhat ingenuously to a partner whom he was leading through the cotillion. She was light as air and blithe- voiced. He demanded sympathy for himself, as one cut off from enjoying mere gaiety by- disuse and long months of harder affairs. " And these masques are ahominaible," he "0! sir, " she answered,, "this is rank ■edition:". "How so?" " For. one reason, because it is the dullest thing, to say, and all dullards are traitors at a masquerade." "And for another ?". Roger apked, piqued. "Because it is oot to>my lilting." She had so- charming a haughtiness that he gave in. ' "Then I withdraw the "statement," he eaid. ." I tender my apologies." "To me only, or to all who wear masques?" . " To. all unconditionally," he .said, " that is, on condition that you tell me a.good_reason for masking." . "Truly," she said, "this is what comes of soldiering^ This is unconditional surrender on your. own terms. ' Nevertheless, I will tell .you. The masque' is good for the old maid!" . .. . ."But you are young — you are just from, school. I know it," he said, unwarily. "Then, sir, you should have had the kindBess to conceal your knowledge." •" I only infant -"' "A compliment without doubt. For the young and-, bashful maiden, plunged suddenly into the midst, of distractions, the masque is a protection. As Dr Dimins,: the great scholar, hath it, and indeed I have not forgotten it, seeing that Miss Minkton, my .late revered mistress— " "I knew you were from 6ch001." f " Made me repeat it," she went on, without heeding the interruption, "on the very day of leaving : "When firgt, released from Academic care, * The Nymph attempts tie ocean of Mayfair,; Lo! &9 she looks upon that sea of 'beau* With joy her iheait, -with 'lope Oier -13050111 g?ow." f ,: ■.-."_ "Charming Nymph!" said Roger, taken by the mock-heroic of her reciting. ' "Wait!" she frowned on his interruption through her masque, " for the poem proceeds, backed by the great scholar's experience: . "Beau insincere! Sea not at all serene!? and tells how easily the Nymph may chance on shipwreck, and wish in vain that she were returned 'To trenchant Blackboard and inspiring Globe.' But on the other band,' guarded by her masque, she can look upon these treacherous "Beaux, listen to their (sometimes dull) conversation, and become acquainted with their inevitable sincerity." She ended with a little j peal of laughter, and would have slipped away among the dancers if Roger -had not begun. "But I vow—" "What, Sir Beau?" " That you have but given me a good rea«on for your unmasking." •f Then have I betrayed myself?" "But you will do it?" he pleaded. "Never!" ''''■■'.. She fled away, and mixed with the throng. But the masquerade had a meaning for Dunstantom now. By luck he had found her again, and yet a third time., and always. his admiration grew. " Masques, now, not masquerades, are an abomination," h© said later. 1 "But how much better to be campaigning," she laughed. "How shall I know you again?" "Are not the .Low Countries enough?" "Be merciful !" he said. And for an instant she lifted her masque, and he saw her. She was more beautiful than he expected : lips made for music, eyes full of laughter and. adventure. And again leaving her merry laughter in his ears she slipped into the crowd. Left to himself, Dunstanton could not rest. He walked into the card-room, where lie perceived that there was a most undisguised, quarrel on its course. His cousin, who seemed to have just staggered to his feet from the ombre-table, his face drenched with wine, was facing an • older man, equally red-faced and furious, and struggling to come to blows. A little crowd oi men stood about them, divided in sympathies. Roger was hailed immediately. . "Ah, cousin!" said Watts, "You an come in good time." "What is the matter?" Roger asked. "I demand satisfaction from Sir Harrj Mayne," said Watts, furiously. " Which, I warrant, my father will b« meet ready to give," said a young man, stepping forward. , Someone introduced Roger to Mr Richarc Mayne, aod he found himself hurriedly arranging a meeting with pistols at six 0 clocl

in the morning, between his cousin and Sir Harry — each to bring a doctor and a case of pistols. " For the rest, I conceive we can settle it on the ground," said young Mayne. Roger bowed. He was unaware even as to cause and) extent of the quarrel — something to do with the cards, it seemed. Watts was sullen enough over the matter as they went back to 'his lodgings together. "He struck me," he growled. " Egad, , isn't that enough?" And they were even now arriving at the ground. Walts had pulled up and was descending. They left the cart with the man, and crossed a stile on to the frozen grass. Roger renewed his acquaintance with • young Mayne, and exchanged salutations. Tihe principals stood apart while these con--1 versed, and the physicians fraternised over '■ their instruments somewhat in the back-* ground. ) ■ 1 " I assume that we had best proceed," ' caid Roger, coldly. ■ "The sooner the better," said young . Mayne, drawling. The two men were placed at fifteen paces, and Roger gave the word. . Watts Dunstanton fell instantly. Now here — one would have thoui'ht — , was the worst luck in the world for a man 1 like Roger, who- had conte into the field much against nis ' will, 'being more intent on love than fighting. : For the physicians wagged tlieir heads together over the fallen man,- and were of opinion that the wound would prove mortal— which meant, immediate fl-ght for thore concerned, seeine that ' even to abet in a duel was against the law', and to fly meant to miss a half-promised tryst. But worse was to come. Young Mayne, disdainful as ever, must needs let fall Borne disparaging remarks. : "He -will not cheat at cards again," was what he said. ' . ; ■ "Sir !" said Roger, angrily. [ ".Or need to be taught manners by an '.. honourable man," went on Mayne. >. ', "Do you speak of my cousin?" demanded ■ Roger. • '.You have. the misfortune to :be related. I believe," said' Mayne, and at that Roger : struck him on the mouth. For a moment the dandy was moved from bes self-Tiosses--1 rion. Then he recovered himself and turn--1 ed with; a smile 1 to ;his father. : "Sir," he said, "there is a second; case '. of pistols?" . „ ' But no witnesses, Dick," \said Sir , Harry 4 anxiously. • "That is nothing— Mr Dunstanton" (he : bowed courteously to Rog>er) "will. lam sure, accept your services, and Dr Brown will do his best forme:" _„ Roger returned the bow, and expressed has belief that there was no time like the present. Dr Brown, who showed no exeat enthusiasm for his new role, was crushed into acquiescence- by the remark that never in Mr Richard Mayne's experience had a physician shown himself averse from becoming—though it were 'but for a moment J— a gentleman. There was no cast for priority of killing this time, for that is a - fineness invented by older and colder blood, and; ; Mr Mayne, for all hes calmness, was boiling. "■"" L ' • ' . . Rqger, as he stood there in the wet wass (for the sun was higher now and the frost falling), cursed the ill-luck that had tfol* lowedi on the masquerade. The pleasure of his dreams was vanishing, and : he was listeningvto the fatal count. Quite dimly he cpuldfseehis opponent' standing easily in his place, still .smiling— -one ! two ! three ! Sir Hairy dropped* &• handkerchief, and , both fired together ! . " ■ Dunstanton saw ', [ someone lying still in the wet grass, and , it was noi himself." . He stared; about Jtlm uncertainly. . •' . ; . . '.. s t "That, is quits," he. said. . "That is ray son," said Sir Harry. "I. regret xtj" Roger began to stammer. "I regret it exceedingly, but you will ■ admit " r "I will admit," broke in Sir Harry, hoarsely, "that I cannot, for. lack of de cent witnesses, call upon you to stand up again— to me ; but, before (rod, sir, there will 'be no crying of quits by m© until at L least I have put a .bullet in your heart!" ■ " Gentjtemeri, . gentlemen!*' cried . Dr ' Brown, imploringly, "already one man Vs wounded aid another killed ! I beseech you, 1 leave the, field now ! Mr Dunstanton, you • must fly! And you, Sir Harry " "I remain," said the latter. "Then let me ask you to go at once," said the doctor, turning again to Dunstanton. "I will attend your cousin to the [ nearest house, and my colleague will re- [ main with him. But blood is hot, sir. Sir Harry is a father- — -" . " Yes ! yes !" said Dunstanton, "I am " /going." ■ 1 He left the field, and found >liis cousin's cart waiting. He told the man to drive 1 him to his lodgings. He scarcely believed now. that he would even receive the halfpromised letter, since his luck had deserted him. The road seemed interminable, though they drove almost as quickly as when going. At last they arrived, and his owu man answered the knock. " There is no news, Stocks, I suppose?" he asked. . "Only a letter, sir." 1 Dunstanton:' took it eagerly, and broke the seal. It was written anagramatically, ' and ran thus: " " Since that a Certain beau did with ' Eminent importunity desire to Learn what I might be Indeed her name, who As a masque only Mispossessed his wits, hereby 1 Apprehend the same, reading Your puzzle by the Number four unto the End." For a moment he was content to know that he had held the secret in his hand without spelling it out. It was what he would have expected, what he would have • wished. Then he burned to know her name. . What, after all, was it? Did it match her I spirit? Slowly he began to put the capi--1 tals of every fourth word together. Celia ! He spelt it out, repeated it, and approved 1 it. Celia was almost enough for him, since" some day she would change the other for k his. Still, it would be as well to know 5 her present surname. It began with " Mis- ■ possessed," with Mm fact. Very slowly he , spelt it out M-A-Y-N-E. 3 The letter fell from his hands, and fluttered on the floor. » So this was his luck, this was the end - of the masquerade. He had shot her t brother dead — an hour ago.