The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-03-31
CHAPTER XIV.
MRS. CRANKY DUMoNT's ADVENTURE.

MNS. CRANKY DUAONT ADVENTURE.
A series of masquerade balls were inancu-
rated by some OF the leaders of New York
society, for charitable purposes, and the
tickets We're placed at high figure, to bar
out the lower classes. OF course the COM
mon people could not attend. but evil ner-
sons could obtain tickets easily, and there
are always some depraved creatures at pub
lie masquerades. Mysteries of death and
darkness lave 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 galiopade or whirlins 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. Dnmont
entered the doors of the Academy cf Music.
leaning upon the arm of Mr.. Trevor The
General walked close behind, eager to watch
over and protect the woman lie loved.
In the midst of this scene of folly Maud
Dnmont wore a long domino of rich black
silk and IA velvet mask of the same somber
hue. She had selected this costume a, the
request Of the General, who did not wish
her to be conspicuous among such an as
semtlv.
AS she descended from her carriage at the
door of the Academy a tashionably -attired
gentleman accidentally. it seemed to her,
iostled against her, and her domino, not be-
ing very securely fastened, was disarrlnged,
the hood falling back.
Excuse Ge, 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 a 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 cov-
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 Lither 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-
ions, and utterly ignorant as to which direc-
tion they had taken.
Mr.. Trevor and Mrs. Dumont had been
driven back by the thronS. and had retreated
to the western entrance. Here the crowd
Ways 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"
she said to her companion; che is waiting
for us, no doubt, in ore 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
III the ever-changing, ever-restless crowd.
As Mrs. Dumont gazed about her. bewil-
dered by the confusion, she Suddenly felt
ner lett land pressed in the strong hand of
O man.
~ will take you to the General madam"
q voice whispered in her ear. "Leave your
arm and come with me-"
She obeyed almost involuntarily, scarcely
knowing what she did, and before she could
dawn through the crowd by the strong
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
They passed out into the main hall and
ascended Il 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 lnufl,ed by his mask.
Thus disguised. his accents would have
been strange to his nearest and dearest
friends To Mrs. Dumont they We're utterly
strange. She tried in vain to remember
hose 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 Mt her myste-
:ious guide with strange thrill of terror.
"You have deceived mel" she exclaimed.