Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1891-11-27

alight Aad get another cab. There was no
way of forcing my vehicle out of this pro-
cession. Clearly there was but one thing
to do, and that was to sit still.
Ny dear fellow, l sat, but l did not sit
still. l twitched and turned this way and
that; l used bad words; l painted and
fumed, and at last, as the horses began to
stamp a bit and the wheels began to move
at a snairs pace, l glanced out to see what
the prospect of release might be.
AS put my face to the window pane l
saw in a flash that another coach was
drawn up close to mine. Within it sat a
woman-dressed-oh, old fellowl my very
heart stood still within me, my breath
came and went gasping like a dying mans
she was dressed in the mascot-the yell
low ball gown.
1t was Julie.
l tried to see her face, but it was hidden
by the folds of a black mantle or shawl. or
something.
what" cried l to myself, car she be
doing here, and alone, and evidently bent
on entering this public ballroom?"
The wheels turned faster now, and my
cab was soon separated from and behind
hers. My distracted eyes caught sight,
presently, of the flaming red and blue
posters before the Academy doors, announc-
ing that this was the night of one of the
famous masquerade balls that are annually
given there.
I sat stunned, dazedl l could not move,
or even think commercially. l had but one
impulse; it was to follow, to keep near, to
protect her-to win her back to her home,
if l could, without arousing a disturbance
or a commotion.
He carriage drew up before the curb,
the door was opened and she sprang light
ly out, the train OF her gown with its gar
lands of goldenrod tossed up over her bare,
white arm; the lace shawl fell back from
her FACET was masked-and she passed
in among the throng alone.
l sprang from the cab, paid the man l
know not what-nor he either, l fancy, in
his establishment at my change of base
and made for the ticket office. bought4a
ticket and-old boy, moneyll do most any
thing-of curse l wasn't in evening dress
or anything like it, but a five dollar bill to
the doorkeeper gained me an instant ad-
mission.
How | rushed up those stairs, left my
overcoat and hat and satchel in the coat
room and then took up my station in the
corridor and kept my eyes fixed upon the
entrances of the ladies' dressing room.
l had not long to wait.
Not ten minute after l took up my posi-
ton she came out n apparently was
looking for some one who was not up to
time-or, the thought came to me-could
1t be the man she awaited, knowing me at
least by sight, and seeing me there unex-
pectedly, feared to show himself?
kept out of her way.
Why?
Because | loved her, and l had the most
infinite compassion for her; and ever in
my agony of shame and pain l wanted to
spare her any outburst or humiliation in
such a place as that.
But kept her in sight, although 1 never
let her see me.
She descended the stairs alone. l fol-
lowed her at a little distance, and as she
swept down before me l had time to note
my mascot-the fatal yellow ball gown.
Julie had freshened the frills and 1ounces
of the skirt. and the great trails of golden
rod looked as natural as ever. A spray of
the flowers, too, she had fastened in her
bonny hair, and the contrast of all this
vivid, sunny color with the black satin of
her mask marked her at once as conspicu-
ous-in fact, that gown could never 90 I'M
remarked anywhere.
l recall that l marveled a little in a dazed
way that she should lave chosen to wear
that dress, but in a more l had
other thoughts than this.
She passed into the gulf of the ballroom.
l followed more nearly now, for the press
and surge of the throng was dense with
the confines of the glittering, gaudy scene.
l raised my eyes for an instant to survey
the great circle, and my gaze fell upon the
word above the proscenium arch-it was
written in electric light, "Welcome!"
Just heaven!a welcome" here-now; the
clock pointed to ten minutes to -. l
shuddered. | staggered and caught my
self in time to lean against one of the
1uted columns twined with roses as I
watched a man approach my darling.
1t was no one whom l had ever seen-not
a bad looking fellow as to getup and gen.
eral appearance, but with, it seemed to me,
a sinister face, and the complacent air
with which he threw his arm about my
wife's waist and drew her into the whirl of
the dancers on the tioor maddened me.
Old fellow, l believe l knew what the tor
lures of hades were during the next half
hour, and heaven alone can tell the tumult
of impulses and passions which swayed my
soul as stood there a lookeron in this
l No NV u1OLlcuU lily
mind was made up to rush out and seize
her in my arms and carry her away bodily;
at another, to strike to earth the man in
whose embrace she leaned so c%onidingly-
and then, thank heaven! a calmer mood
succeeded, n I determined tc bide my
time.
It was not long by clocks and watches,
although to me it seemed an eternity,
when l beheld them sauntering slowly,
his tall, dark head bent low above her, out
into the lobbies. l followed; a more ami.
mated conversation ensued; she laughed
behind her mask; the bells rang sweetly
from some neighboring church tower, and
he took out his watch and said, "It's mid
night, dear"
Then she laughed again, and l drew
nearer, spellbound AS l heard her whisper
what will mother say? must hurry
she would never forgive me. She thinks
am at Cousin -'s'-and here 1 lost thu
thread, as l was compelled by the crowd tt
make way.
In a few brief moments they both ran
hastily IN the broad staircaeo folloupoc