Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-10-10

SILVER serpents climbed up the side
OF the throne and were clustered with
in the royal seat. On the. velvet
cushions of the latter an enormous
sheaf of roses tied with ribbon of the
American beauty shade awaited the
coming of the queen
Suddenly shrill whistle rang
down through the rotunda of the ho-
tel and ere its first echoes had died
away the crashing notes of the march
rang out into the stiffness OCCASION
ed by the peoples surprise.
Then from the uppermost balcony
the slaves masked and in gorgeous
array began to wind slowly down the
stairs 10 the rotunda far below.
The procession was headed by Il
Slave in magnificent white satin
suit who seemed to be master of cere-
monies-a Grand Marshal so to speak.
The Slaves formed in two long
lines leading to the throne, the King
and Archbishop followed by tiny pages
magnificently attired being the last to
appear. These escorted by the
Master of Ceremonies marched be
tween the long lines of slaves to the
throne There the king placed the
glittering serpent crown upon a satin
cushion. and gave it to the smallest
Of the three pages. Then TO each Of
the others he gave n bouquet of roses
Moving forward down the aisle
formed by the lines of waiting slaves
the little procession halted before
Queen Mary's bower Then the
Grand Marshal and the King set forth
on their journey in search of the
Queen. Up and down. round and
round through the balconies they
went. Whom would they choose?
Upon what girl. favored beyond her
sister would be bestowed the royal
honors?
Whose brow would the glorious
diadem resting on its satin cushion
adorn? The people watched breath
lessly.
AT length the two stopped before
a group of ladies' on the third balcony.
With low bow and a few low spoken
words the King took the hand of n
tall girl in pink (Miss Ethel Hughes)
and preceded by the Grand Marshal
th1sth ho"il thN WHlit liit ali
resounded with tumultuous applause
Through the long lines of slaves
and past the royal guards gorgeous in
royal purple, the queen, apparent
went Gracefully kneeling at the
foot of the throne the beautiful crown
was placed upon her head and she
took her seat in the gorgeous chair
awaiting her. The crown was fast
ened by beautiful jewelled pins. care
fully put in place by the King. The
new queen held in her arms the i'm
mense shear of roses prepared for
her coming.
The Queen of the Slaves dress was
pink panne crepe. of an exquisite
wild rose shade very simply made.
hut with simplicity that is extreme
ly costly. The dress fell in lines that
increased the height and gave com
manding aspect to the wearer. 1t was
trimmed with applique
While not strillingly pretty of face.
he yonng queen had a beautiful car
riage which enabled her to wear her
lovely gown with distinction and to
I'LL her position with ease and grace.
After the coronation the slaves of
Tered their homage to their queen.
Locking themselves together they
forming a large serpent which waved
its length and Kissed and writhed on
The floor before the throne. 1t was
marvellously done and very realistic.
Next Queen Mary, followed by her
was escorted from
her throne and offered her allegiance
to the Queen of the Slaves. She also
presented a parchment tied with rib
bon to the new queen.
Then each slav. with a maid of
honor upon his arm marched slowly
past the throne bowling low as they
did So 1t was a very pretty sight
and occupied long time as the num-
her of the Slaves was by no means
small.
After this triumphal march the King
offered his arm to the Queen, and the
royal pair walked slowly out. Queen
Mary escorted by the Grand Marshal
and her ladies-in-waiting followed
Upstairs the magnificent ball room
had been gaily decorated in roses and
ferns. A band of musicians sat wait
ing for the signal. In a fairy bower
leading out of the ball room the two
queens and their attendants sat and
viewed the spectacle before them.
Words grow suddenly impotent to de-
scribe such scenes as that in the ball
room.
The Slaves had gathered then
Colorado's beauty and chivalry
And bright the lights shone
Ger fair women and brave men.
After the march during which the
queen was once more presented to
those present the ball opened. The
first three dances were reserved for
the Slaves. after that the floor was
free to all in attendance. The music
was superb and the floor like a mir
ror. To dance is no effort under such
conditions as those.
But II all ended-its n way ouch af-
fairs bave-and now 1t seems only g
beautiful dream. BLUEBELL.