Hearts and Masks

"Indeed."

"Yes. Ah, if only you knew the terrible life we lead, we who conspire!

Every day brings forth some galling disappointment. We push a king off

into the dark, and another rises immediately in his place. Futility,

futility everywhere! If only there were some way of dynamiting habit

and custom! I am a Russian; all my family are perishing in Siberian

mines,"--dismally.

"Fudge!" said the girl.

"Tommy-rot!" said the amiable old gentleman.

"Uncle, his hair is too short for an anarchist."

"And his collar too immaculate." (So the old gentleman was this

charming creature's uncle!) "We are obliged to disguise ourselves at times," I explained. "The

police are always meddling. It is discouraging."

"You have some purpose, humorous or serious," said the girl shrewdly.

"A man does not bring a pack of cards--"

"I didn't bring them; I sent out for them."

"--bring a pack of cards here simply to attract attention," she

continued tranquilly.

"Perhaps I am a prestidigitator in a popular dime-museum," I suggested,

willing to help her out, "and am doing a little advertising."

"Now, that has a plausible sound," she admitted, folding her hands

under her chin. "It must be an interesting life. Presto--change!

and all that."

"Oh, I find it rather monotonous in the winter; but in the summer it is

fine. Then I wander about the summer resorts and give exhibitions."

"You will pardon my niece," interpolated the old gentleman, coughing a

bit nervously. "If she annoys you--"

"Uncle!"--reproachfully.

"Heaven forfend!" I exclaimed eagerly. "There is a charm in doing

unconventional things; and most people do not realize it, and are

stupid."

"Thank you, sir," said the girl, smiling. She was evidently enjoying

herself; so was I, for that matter. "Do a trick for me," she commanded

presently.

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 business 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.