6 HEARTS AND MASKS By HAROLD MacGRATH Author of"The Man on the Box,"etc. With Drawings by Harrison Fisher ■ (Copyright, 1906, by Bobbs-Merrill Co.# CHAPTER I.—Continued. "You will pardon my niece," inter polated the old gentleman, coughing a bit nervously. "If she annoys you—" "Uncle!"—reproachfully. "Heaven forfend!" 1 exclaimed eag erly. "There is a charm in doing un conventional things; and most people do not realize it, and are stupid." "Thank you, sir," said the girl, smil ing. She was evidently enjoying her self; so was I, for that matter. "Do a irick for me," she commanded pres ently. I smiled weakly. I couldn't have done a trick with the cards, —not if my life had depended upon it. But I rather neatly extricated myself from the trap. "I never do any tricks out of busi ness hours." "Uncle, give the gentleman ten cents; I want to see him do a sleight of-hand trick." Her uncle, readily entering into the spirit of the affair, dived into a pocket and produced the piece of silver. It looked as if I were caught. "There! this may make it worth your while," the girl said, shoving the coin in my direction. But again I managed to slide under; I was not to be caught. "It is my regret to say,"—frowning slightly, "that regularity in my busi ness is everything. It wants half an hour for my turn to come on. If I tried a trick out of turn, I might foozle and lose prestige. And besides, 1 depend so much upon the professor and his introductory note; 'Ladies and gents, permit me to introduce the world-renowned Signor Fantoccini, whose marvelous tricks have long puz zled all the crowned heads of Eu rope—" "Fantoccini," musingly. "That's Italian for puppet show." "I know it, but the dime museum visitors do not. It makes a line im pression." 4 She laughed and slid the dime back to her uncle. "I'm afraid you are an impostor," slie said. "I'm afraid so, too," I confessed, laughing. Then the comedy came to an end by t he appearance of our separate orders. I threw aside the cards and proceeded to attack my dinner, for I was hungry. From time to time I caught vague fragments of conversation between the girl and her uncle. "It's a fool idea," mumbled the old gentleman; "you will get into some trouble or other." "That doesn't matter. It will be like a vacation, —a flash of old Rome, P'lkm'c' I wish I were at this very mo ment. I am determined." "This is what comes of reading ro mantic novels," —with a kind of grum ble. "I admit there never was a particle of romance on your side of the fam ily," the girl retorted. "Happily. There is peace in the bouse where I live." "Do not argue with me." "I am not arguing with you; 1 should be only wasting my time. 1 am simply warning you that you are about to commit a folly." "I have made up my mind." "Ah! in that case I have hopes," be returned. "When a woman makes up her mind to do one thing, she gen erally does another. Wby can't you put aside this fool idea and goto the opera with me?" "I have seen Carmen in Paris, Rome, London and New York," she replied. (Evidently a traveled young per son. ) "'Carmen is your favorite opera, be sides." "Not to-night,"—whimsically. "Go, then; but please recollect that a anything serious comes of your folly, I did my best to prevent it. It's a scatter-brained idea, and no good will come of it, mark me." "I can take care of myself,"—trucu lently. "So I have often been forced to ob serve,"—dryly. (I wondered what it was all about.) "But. uncle dear, I am becoming so dreadfully bored!" "That; sounds final," sighed the old man, helping himself to the haricots verts. (The girl ate positively nothing.) "But it. seems odd that you can't go about your affairs after my own rea- Bonable manner." "I am only twenty." The old man's shoulders rose and fell resignedly. "No man has an answer for that." "I promise to tell you everything that happens; by telegraph." "That's small comfort. Imagine re ceiving a telegram early in the morn ing, when a man's brain is without in vention or coherency o£ thought! I would that you were back home with your father. 1 might sleep o' nights, then." "1 have so little amusement!" "You work three hours a day and earn more in a week than your father and 1 do in a month. Yours is a very unhappy lot." "I hate the sm«il of paints; I hate the studio." "And I suppose you hate your fame?" acridly. "Bah! that is my card to a living. The people 1 meet bore me." •'Not satisfied with common folks, eh? Must, have kings and queens to talk to?" "1 only want to live abroad, and you and father will not let me," —petu- lantly. The music started up and I heard no more. Occasionally the girl glanced at me and smiled in a friendly fashion. She was evidently an artist's model; and when they have hair and color like this girl's, the pay is good. I found myself wondering why she was bored and why Carmen had so sud denly lost its charms. It was seven o'clock when I pushed aside my plate and paid my check. I calculated that by hustling I could reach Blankshire either at ten or ten thirty. That would be early enough for my needs. And now to rout out a costume. All I needed was a gray mask. I had in my apartments a Capuchin's robe and cowl. I rose, lighting a cigarette. The girl looked up from her coffee. "Back to the dime museum?" —ban- teringly. "I have a few minutes to spare," said I. "By the way, I forgot to ask you what card you drew." •| . \ ; ; ; ;' 112 .' - . . " . . ' '• ' <:•;♦ • I ;" . | "It was the ten of hearts." "The ten of hearts?" Her amaze ment was not understandable. "Yes. the ten of hearts; Cupid and all that." She recovered her composure quickly. "Then you will not blow up the postoffice to-night?" "No," I replied, "not to-night." "You have really and truly aroused my curiosity. Tell me, what does the ten of hearts mean to you?" I gazed thoughtfully down at her. Had I truly mystified her? There was some doubt in my mind. "Frankly, I wish I might tell you. All 1 am at liberty to say is that I am about to set forth upon a desperate adventure, and I shall be very fortun ate if I do not spend the night in the lock-up." "You do not look desperate." "Oh, I am not desperate; it is only the adventure that is desperate." "Some princess in durance vile! Some villain to smite? Citadels to storm?" Her smile was enchantment itself. I hesitated a moment. "What would you say if I told you that this adven ture was merely to prove to myself what a consummate ass the average man can be upon occasions?" "Why goto the trouble of proving it?"—d roily. "I am conceited enough to have some doubts as to the degree." "Consider it positive." I laughed. "I am in hopes that I am neither a positive ass nor a superla tive one, only comparative." "But the adventure; that is the thing that mainly interests me." "Oh, that is a secret which I should hesitate to tell even to the Sphinx." "I see you are determined not to illuminate the darkness," —and she turned carelessly toward her uncle, who was serenely contemplating the glowing end of a fat perfecto. I bowed and passed out Into Sixth avenue, rather regretting that I had not the pleasure of the charming young person's acquaintance. The ten-spot, of liearts seemed to have startled her for some reason. 1 wondered why. The snow blew about me, whirled, and awirled, and stung. Oddly enough CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1907. T recalled the paragraph relative to Mrs. Hyphen-Bonds. By this time she was being very well tossed about in mid-ocean. As the old order of yarn spinners used to say, little did I dream what was in store for me, or the Influ ence the magic name of Hyphen-Bonds was to have upon my destiny. Bismillah! (Whatever that means!) CHAPTER 11. After half an hour's wandering about I stumbled across a curio-shop, a weird, dim and dusty, musty old curio-shop, with stuffed peacocks hanging from the ceiling, and skulls and bronzes and marbles, paintings, tarnished jewelry and ancient armor, rare books of vellum, small arms, tap estry, pastimes, plaster masks, and musical instruments. I recalled to mind the shop of the dealer in an tiquities In Balzac's La Peau de Cha grin, and glanced about (not without a shiver) for the fatal ass's skin. (I forgot that I was wearing It myself that night!) I was uomething of a collector of antiquities, of the Inani mate kind, and for a time I became lost in speculation—speculation rath er agreeable of its kind. I liked to conjure up in fancy the various scenes through which these curiosi ties had drifted in their descent to this deml-pawnshop; the brave men and beautiful women, the clangor of tocsins, the haze of battles, the glitter of ball rooms, epochs and ages. What romances lay behind yon satin slip per? What grande dame had smiled behind that ivory fan? What meant that tarnished silver mask? The old French proprietor was evi dently ail things from a pawnbroker to an art collector; for most of tho "This Is What I Want." jewelry was in excellent order and the pictures possessed value far be yond the instrinsic. From the shining metal of the small arms, my glance traveled to the face of the prospective buyer. It was an interesting face, clean-cut, beardless, energetic, but the mouth impressed me as being rather hard. Doubtless he felt the magnetism of my scrutiny, for he suddenly looked around. The expression on his face was not one to induce me to throw my arms around his neck and de clare I should be glad to make his acquaintance. It was a scowl. He was in evening dress, and I could see that he knew very well how to wear it. All this was but momentary. He took up a revolver and balanced it on his palm. By and by the proprietor came sid ling along behind the cases, the slip shod fashion of his approach inform ing me that he wore slippers. "Do you keep costumes?" I asked. "Anything you like, sir, from a crusader to a modern gentleman,"— with grim and appropriate irony. "What is it you are in search of— a masquerade costun»e?' "Only a gray mask," I answered. "I am togo to a masked ball to-night as a Gray Capuchin, and I want a mask that will match my robe." "Your wants are simple." From a shelf he brought down a box, took off the cover, and left me to make my selection. Soon I found what I desired, and laid it aside, wait ing for M. Friard to return. Again I observed the other customer. There is always a mystery to be solved and a story to be told, when a man makes the purchase of a pistol in a pawnshop. A man who buys a pistol for the sake of pro tection does so in the light of day, and in the proper place, a gun-shop. He does not haunt the pawnbrokers in the dusk of evening. Well, it was none of my business. Doubtless, he knew what he was doing. 1 caughed suggestively, and Friand came slipping in my direction again. "This is what I want. How much?" I inquired. "Fifty cents; it has never been worn." '£< l Ue Cimluiicd, Invigorate the Digestion. To invigorate the digestion and stimulate the torpid liver and bowels there is nothing so good as that old family remedy, Brandreth Pills, which' has been in use for over a century. They cleanse the blood and impart new. vigor to the body. One or two every night for a week will usually be all that is required. For Constipation or Dyspepsia, one or two taken every night will afford great relief. Brandreth's Pills are the same fine laxative tonic pill your grandparents used and being purely vegetable are adapted to every system. Sold in every drug and medicine atore, either plain or sugar-coated. In the Matter of Tlpa. The man who tips the highest gets the best service and the most ostenta tious deference. "Give this to th« cook," said a St Louis parvenue, handing one dollar to the waiter with his order, "and tell him to cook it my way." "Give this |to the cook," said a scribe at the nelt table, handing a two dollar bill to the waiter with his order, "and tell him to cook It his own way, fer he is a better cook than I am." We will not be outshone. W« will not shrink in any mants shadow. At the same time the pace is too hot and fast for most of us.—St Louis Globe-Democrat How to Trap Wild Mnimals. 40-page trap book illustrated, picture 4ft wild animals in natural colors, also bar emeter & calendar, also gun & trap catalog, also prices on raw furs. All sent post paid for 100 stamps or silver. FREE to tnose who ship to, or buy of us. Address Fur Dept., N. W. Hide & Fur Co., Minneapolis. Disease and Injustice. The sin which Is termed dishonesty Is the same evil as that which is called disease In living bodies or blight In the seasons; and in cities and governments has another name, which is injustice.—Plato. MAYOR OF SUNBURY Says Pe-ru-na Is a Good Medicine. Hon. C. C. Brooks, Mayor of Sun bury, Ohio, also Attorney for Farm ers' Bank and Sunbury Building and Loan Co., writes: "I have the utmost confidence in the virtue of Peruna. It is a great medicine. I have used it and I have known many of my friends who have obtained beneficial results from its use. / cannot praise Peruna too highly." THERE are a host of petty ailments which are the direct result of the weather. This is more true of the excessive heat of summer and the intense cold of winter, but is partly true of all seasons of the year. Whether it be a cold or a cough, catarrh of the head or bowl complaint, whether the liver be affected or the kidneys, the cause is very liable to be the same. The weather slightly deranges the mucous membranes of the organs and the result is some functional disease. Peruna has become a standby In thousands of homes for minor ail ments of this sort. Ask Your Druggist for Free Peruna Almanac for 1907. SICK HEADACHE ; —I Positively cured by these Little Pills. Unit I L l\o They also relievo Dls- E tress from Dyspepsia, In £ digestion and Too Hearty ■ Q Eating, A perfect rem ■ edy for Dizziness, Nausea, □S. [ Drowsiness, Bad Taste in tho Mouth, Coated Tongue, Pain In the Side, 1 TORPID LIVER. They regrulato the Bowels. Purely Vegetable. SMALL PILL SMALL DOSE, SMALL PRICE. PAQTCD'CI Genuine Must Bear Kittle Fac-Simile Signature | POLS, —[REFUSE SUBSTITUTES. A Positive CL'RE FOR /c^«BAL^\ CATARRH MMW Ely's Cream Balm £ is c-'ckly absorbed. '0 Gives Relief at Once. "J It cleanses, soothes, heals and protects tho diseased membrane. It euros Catarrh ami drives n way aCold in tho Head quickly. Restores tho Senses of Taste and Smell. Full size 50 cts. at Druggists or by mail; Trial size 10 cts. by mail. Lly Brothers, OB Warren Street, New l'ork. jffIraBMISHSHSSSSSSBSaSBS^j j Balcom ft Lloyd. j g| WE have the best stocked »l ■ general store in the county jj| ja and if you axe looking for re- | g liable goods at reasonable 1 H prices, we are ready to serve r il g you with the best to be found. p Our reputation for trust- B {jjfi worthy goods and flair dealing ! ? H is too well known to sell any h I Our stock of Queensware and filj Chinaware is selected with B | great, care and we have some H HI of the most handsome dishes H I ever shown in this section, | both in imported and domestic kj makes. We invite you to visit B us and look our goods over. I I i I i | Balcom & Lloyd, j rwwwur w w wir wurwiFw w wur if wwwmnwMir wi |J LOOK ELSEWHERE BUT DON'T FORGET j! || THESE PRICES AND FACTS AT U !! WbarWl H II We carry in stock i |j| |g the largest line of Car- ~ .112, g»"LiK!M»gaiß ' *.4 || pets, linoleums and &L- ' 8 1 ' i E3 Mattings of all kinds . rl ever brought to this .. „ .*«£(> 11 p M town. Also a big line J * \ A very large line ot | FOR THE (E IS ISSSSF coHWRTABif mm p Art Squares and of fine books in a choice library gj M Rugs of all sizes and select the Ideal pattern of Globe- M M kind, from the cheap- Wernicke "Elastic" Bookcase. |fl s| es t t 0 the best. Furnished with bevel French || kg plate or leaded glass doors. ££ || Dining Chairs, •* Lt »* || || Rockers and GEO. J. LaBAR, $| Htitf High Chairs. Sole Agent for Cameron County. |fcg| * Z A large and elegant ■ El H line of Tufted and Pj| Drop-head Couches. Beauties and at bargain prices. |3 || II £* |3O Bedroom Suits, C*)C S4O Sddeboard, quar- CQH - solid oak at 4>ZO tered cak 4)OU "™ S2B Bedroom Suits, COI Sideboard, quar- d* QP || solid oak at 4>Z! tered oak || Jf* $26 Bed room Suits, Ofl $22 Sideboard, quar- tf|C II solid oak at 4)ZU I tered oak, 4)10 || A large line of Dressers from Chiffoniers of all kinds and || $8 up. all prices. J || The finest line of Sewing Machines on the market, £a ia the "DOMESTIC" and "ELDRIEGE.' All drop- || 112 2 heads and warranted. £3 ' J A fine line of Dishes, common grade and China, in j sets a °d by the piece. II As I keep a full line of everything that goes to || || make up a good Furniture store, it is useless to euuni- || || erate them all. N Please call and see for yourself that lam telling |g you the truth, and if you don't buy, there is no harm k* done, as it is no trouble to show goods. li GEO. J .LaBAR. | iM fc- -r -t «-i -it nr m ■**'■ -r -t mi mt mnt *n m> *i .i» mm at. mi N M 84 14 II II M 14
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers