The Red Cloud chief., 1901-04-19

eianoing at the son-in-Iaw whom she
would 20 gladly have welcomed oighed
a disappointed sish with all sincerity.
I'VE must give a ball, or something
before their departure" whispered Sir
arguing. the something" In the shape
OF tableaux vivants, with dance after
ward, won the day.
When at length the night arrived.
Kings Abbott was in a state of con-
fusion impossible and hopeless TO de-
| scribe. the most remarkable feature In
the whole case being that nobody
seemed In proper frame OF mind the
spirits OF all being either too high or
too low to suit the part allotted them.
so that a sensation Of mingled terror
and delight prevailed through every
dressing room In the house.
There had been numerous meetings
and rehearsals. for the most part pleas
urable. although here and there dis
putes had arisen about trifies light as
air, and everything had been arranged
on the most approved principles.
The guests were assembled in the
drawing-room, facing the folding
doors. behind which. In a small back
apartment, the stage had been erected
Already were the younger members Of
the audience showing evident signs Of
impatience, when the doors were
thrown open. the curtain rose, and in
the center of the stage Mildred Tre-
vanion as Marguerite stood revealed.
| Denzil-who begged hard to be al
lowed to withdraw from the entire
thing. but whose petition had been
scoffed at by Mabel and Miss Sylverton
as Faust, and Lord Lyndon as Me-
phistopheles. enlivened the back
ground. Mildred herself, with her long
fair hair plated and falling far below
her waist. with the inevitable flower
In her hand with which she vainly
seeks to learn her fate, and with a soft
innocent smile OF expectation on her
lips. formed a picture at once tender
and perfect in every detail. At least
SO thought the spectators. who as the
curtain fell, concealing her from their
view, applauded long and heartily.
After this followed Miss Sylverton
and Charlie in the Black Brunswick
err" and Mabel and Roy Blount as
Lancelot and Elaine, which also were
much admired and applauded.
Then came THE United Kingdom,
when Frances Sylverton, as IRE.
land" undoubtedly carried off the
crown OF victory. Perhaps altogethe,
Miss Sylverton might have been termed
the great success of the evening
The tableau terminated with a seen,
from the court Of Louis XIV. the dress
es for which, as for most of the others
were sent from London.
After the tableaux followed a ball
to effect a change of raiment for whicl
soon caused the rapid emptying of tn
impromptu theater.
; Denzil, who scarcely felt in humo
, for balls or any other sort OF amuse
ment just then. passed through tn
library door which opened off the lat
l scene OF merriment, and sunk wearil
I into an armchair.
, He was feeling sadly dispirited an
D out of place amidst all the gayety SUI
rounding him: a sense of miserabl
h depression was weighing him dowI
His one thought was Mildred; his on
deep abiding pain, the fear of hearin
y her engagement to Lyndon openly az
knowledged.
Fer the past week this pain had bee
y growing almost past endurance, as
s witnessed the apparently satisfied mar
d ner in which she accepted his lord
ships marked attentions. He hate
r himself for this fatuity-this NEAR
ness, as 1t appeared to him--that con
r PEELED him TO love and long for won
d an who showed him plainly every hoy
q of the day how little she valued eth.
x him or his devotion. Still he coul
q not conquer It,
r. As these thoughts rose once MOI
d unbidden to his mind and took posse
, sion of him. he reused himself dete
e minedly. and getting up from his cha
n threw out his arms with a quick In
n pulse from him. as though rssolvs
v upon the moment to be free.
\ | ITO he continued