Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-25
CHAPTER XXIY.
MRS. CRANKY DUmoNr's ADVENTURE.

MRS. GRANNY DUMoNTs ADVENTURE.
A series of masquerade balls were inaugu-
rated by some of the leaders of New York
society, for charitable purposes, and the
tickets were placed at high figure, to bar
out the lower classes. Of course the COM
mon people could not attend, but evil per-
sons could obtain tickets easily, and there
are always some depraved creatures at pub
lie masquerades. Mysteries of death and
darkness have been hidden beneath the
| mask worn at such crowded assemblies, and
the gay dancers have little dreamed of the
secrets of their partners-have never guessed
the blood stains on the hands that met theirs
in the mad gallopade or whirling waltz
1t was arranged that General Dumont and
wife should go to the first Charity Ball ac-
companied by nephew Of the General, Mr.
Oliver Trevor.
1t was eleven o'clock when Mrs. Dumont
entered the doors Of the Academy Of Music,
leaning upon the arm of Mr. Trevor. The
General walked close behind, eager to watch
over and protect the woman he loved.
| In the midst of this scene of folly Maud
Dumont wore o long domino of rich black
silk and velvet mask of the same somber
hue She had selected this costume at the
request of the General, who did not wish
her to be conspicuous among such an as
Sembly.
AS she descended from her carriage at the
door of the Academy q fashionably-
gentleman accidentally, it seemed to her,
iostled against her, and her domino, not be-
ing very securely fastened, was disarranged,
the hood falling back.
'Excuse me, madam said the stranger,
politely, as he stepped aside.
Owing to the hurry, possibly, in replac-
ing the hood, Mr.. Trevor did not notice the
shred of scarlet ribbon which the stranger
had affixed to it. There was crowd about
the doors, and his quick movement had not
been noted; yet the ribbon was distinctly
visible to any one who looked particularly
at the hood of Mrs. Dumont's domino.
The party entered the crowded lobbies
leading to the immense platform which COW
cred the lower part of the house. Three
minutes after entering the Academy, the
General was separated from his wife and
nephew.
The crowd flowed hither and thither-
powerful as some torrent, it drove all before
it. The General scarcely knew how or
where the separation took place, but he
| found himself far away from his compan-
| ton they had taken.
| Mr.. Trevor and Mrs Dumont had been
driven back by the throng, and had retreated
to the western entrance. Here the crowd
was still greater. The noisy maskers
crowded around them, shouting and laugh
ing Mrs Dumont was confused and almost
stunned by the noise.
"Let us go back and find the General, I"
she said to her companion; che is waiting
for us, no doubt, in one of the lobbies. We
| shall never be able to discover him upon
| the stage"
Mr. Trevor obeyed, and conducted his
lovely charge to the other side of the build
ing. Again they found themselves buried
in the ever-changing, ever-restless crowd
AS Mrs. Dumont gazed about her, bewil-
dered by the confusion, she suddenly felt
her left hand pressed in the strong hand Of
man.
81 will take you to the General, madam, :"
voice whispered in her ear. "Leave your
companions arm and come with me-"
| She obeyed almost involuntarily, scarcely
knowing what she did, and before she could
repent of her imprudence she found herself
drawn through the crowd by the strong
grasp of the strangers hand and entirely
separated from Mr.. Trevor. The stranger
led her on, still piercing the crowd, through
which he pushed his way, clearing passage
for his companion as he went.
! They passed out into the main hall and
assembled staircase leading to the first tier
of seats The corridor outside the dress
circle was much less crowded than the rest
of the house Here the stranger paused.
''Why have you separated me from my
friends?" said Mrs Dumont, Indignantly.
"For purpose which is too serious to al
low of any ceremony" answered the stran-
ger, whose voice was muf1ed by his mask.
Thus disguised, his accents would have
been strange to his nearest and dearest
friends. To Mrs. Dumont they were utterly
strange. She tried in vain to remember
those tones but she was unable to do So
"Where is the General?" she demanded
eagerly.
81 do not know, madam" answered the
stranger, coldly.
The Generals wife looked at her mystic
rious guide with strange thrill of terror.
"You have deceived MEL she exclaimed.
Say, madam, as you deceived Clarence
Suydam!'
Maud Dumont clasped her hands convul-
sively at the sound of that once familiar
name.
clarence Suydam" she murmured.
''Why do you mention that mans name to
me?"
81 have told you before, madam, that I
have solemn purpose to fulfill IN bringing
you here
'.But I will stay no longerw returned
Mrs. Dumont Indignantly. 81 am no child
to be fooled OF frightened thusW