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Hearts and Masks

Page 7

"I can take care of myself,"--truculently.

"So I have often been forced to observe,"--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 reasonable

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 receiving a telegram early in the

morning, when a man's brain is without invention or coherency of

thought! I would that you were back home with your father. I might

sleep o' nights, then."

"I have so little amusement!"

"You work three hours a day and earn more in a week than your father

and I do in a month. Yours is a very unhappy lot."

"I hate the smell of paints; I hate the studio."

"And I suppose you hate your fame?" acridly.

"Bah! that is my card to a living. The people I meet bore me."

"Not satisfied with common folks, eh? Must have kings and queens to

talk to?"

"I only want to live abroad, and you and father will not let

me,"--petulantly.

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 suddenly 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 route

out a costumer. All I needed was a grey 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?"--banteringly.

"I have a few minutes to spare," said I.

"By the way, I forgot to ask you what card you drew."

"It was the ten of hearts."

"The ten of hearts?" Her amazement was not understandable.

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