The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1897-10-13
THE DANCE OF DEATH.


room of the Maecenas. AT the granite
threshold of the building he hesitated,
but the power of habit is strong, and for
from one to three hours in the lux
choice spirits composing. his club.
because he had ever failed in being a
welcome accession to the groups Of
young men usually to be found engaged
in the occupation of the place. but with
out doubt because of the unusual cir
cumstances environing his own personal
ity. For, the fact is, it was the morning
That evening the multiform benefac-
lions of the gods to him were to be
crowned by the gift of wife of his own
hearts choosing. Under these circum-
stances, therefore, it was perhaps natural
that the bridegroom ELECT should have
hesitated to brave the attention his pres
the Maecenas Luckily when he entered,
there were not half a dozen fellows pres
ent, and these were in a group at one of
the tables, evidently engrossed in the
discussion of some subject calculated to
divide interest with the topic naturally
suggested by the unconscious selfcon-
They were high-bred young bloods,
those of the Maecenas. The courtesy of
their greeting to Darby may have been
was all Not the lift of an eyelid, as they
made room for him, betrayed cognizance
of the happy destiny they knew to be
tant, Hardin Golden, displayed admirable
finesse in setting all parties at ease.
We have Just been discussing the
Darrow,'' he said, addressing Darby.
tDarroW-What of him?''
Man alive Have you not heard? Why
the morning papers are full of the shock
ing occurrence"
"The papers I have neglected to look
into; II have been otherwise engaged
Stammered Darby.
Hardin nodded.
ct understand. Well, Darrow, poor fell
low, met an awful death last evening"
TIT bi SAINT be stf BILE Mny anG Ta %bed
I parted from him he told me he was
going directly home"
Yes. Yet it was not two blocks dis
tant from the terrace where he was trip
ped by the trailing loop of a telegraph
wire. AS fate would have it, at the same
moment there was a train running at full
speed upon the elevated road above; the
buffer caught in the wire, and the loco
motive rushed on, dragging the coils in
which barrow, poor devil, was being
he was whirled, sometimes above the
roofs of the houses; the wire broke, and
he was was, droPpedd into an obscure street,
Darby shivered; he made no comment.
It was an awful story to have heard on
his. bridal morning. How might mortal
Juggernaut, grinding out the lives of the
happy and wretched alike?
The Hlppancy OF Bret Cosby Jared up
on his mood.
ct strikes me that's about the style
deaths adopting these latter days."
be t Eatc young fashiEnab1e
nered monster that's not got the polite
ness of a French dancing master, when
he pounces upon and waltzes off to des
truction with a fellow, as he has done
with barrow. Who can tell what doom
may be lurking in ambush for the first
of us fellows that leaves the Maecenas?'
Rendered restless by the turn the con-
versation had taken, Darby had moved
away from the group, and was leaving
the room. He heard the idle words Cos
by had spoken. He went on as though
he had not heard. The baize doors swung
and shut after him.
After all. it may not be pitiless
doom to which one goes, you see, Cos
by laughed Hardin. What happier
destiny could a poor: devil. of Maecenas
Wifely embraces of woman like Carolyn
&" There's many a slip quoted
Cosby. Fortune has a trick of smiling
when he least expects it,
I'D take. Phils chances for the prize
he's TO- draw from her tonight. at all
swinging already in the hall of the Lo-
max house ready for his wedding chimes.
Ha! speaking of the decorations, that re-
minds me. Sartini, the florist, told me he
had just received an importation of Ital-
ian plants, and [ promised Darby I'd call
by and tell him to send up one of those
superb moon flowers for Miss Lomax
Sartln1 is certain he has one that will
put out its blossoms just about the time
would be pleasing omen for his BRIDE"
He returned his paper to the file ard
at once took his leave to attend to the