The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-08-17
CHAPTER XIV.
MIS-. CRANKY DUMoNr's 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 Dunont and
wife should cote the first Charity Ball ac-
companied by a nephew of the General, Mr.
Oliver Trevor. s.r
It 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 a 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
sembIy. @ a-
As she descended from her carriage at the
door of the Academy, a fashionably- attired
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 enc who looked particularly
at the hood of Mrs. Dumont's domino.
The party entered the crowded lobbies
leading to tbs 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 hitler and thither-
powerful as some torrent. it drove all before
it. The General scarcely knew how OF
where the separation took place, but he
found himself far away from his eompan-
ions, and utterly ignorant as to which direc-
ton they had taken. ts4-e
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 maskeTs
crowded around them, shouting and laugh
ing Mrs. Dumont was confused and almost
stunned by the noise.
LET us 90 back and find the General"
she said to her companion; she is waiting
for us, no doubt, in one of the lobbies. We
shall never be able to discover him upon
the stage"
MIR 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 eEaEyd,
AS Mrs. DumOnt gazed about her, -. x
dered by the confusion, she suddenly ielt
her left hand pressed in the strong hand Of
a man.
AZ will take you to the General, madam,
q 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 entiraly
separated from Mr.. Trevor. The stranger |
led her on, still piercing the crowd, through |
which he pushed his way, clearing a passage |
for his companion as he went. Vi |
They passed ont into the main hall and |
assembled O staircase leading to tho 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 /
frieAdsIp said Mrs. Dumont, Indignantly.
f'For purpose which is too serious TO al
low of any ceremony" answered the stran-
ger, whose voice was muffied by his mask.
Thus disguised, his accents wonld 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 Generalg' she demanded,
eagerly.
81 do not know. madam, " answered the