Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-06-14

the Place Blanche and presently stop-
ped amid press OF vehicles before the
portals of the Moulin Rouge.
Darrell directed the cabman to go on
little way, and then alighted. Imme-
diately he was aware OF two figures.
man and woman, who We're hurrying
toward him. The man was frocked
Ike a gray friar, with cord and cowl:
the woman wore a fawn colored domi-
no, and she twirled a mask by it's cord
she mad abundant dark brown hair.
ana she was tall, like Vera. Her COM
panion was a six footer. and he looked
a giant In his gray robe.
Il beg your pardon" be said In Eng
nsh. Are you done with the cab? All
these are engaged"
You leave the ball early" said Oar
rel, without answering the question.
Is II less interesting than usual?"
we say goodby to Paris at SUNRISE"
the young man replied. Isn't that
oeasuy? We have just time to get to
our lodgings and finish packing. You
are AN American, aren't your
Yes" replied Darrell, "I'm an Amer
lean, as you are, and I'm In a bit OF a
nix also, as you are. You want a cab.
and l want TO go into the ball with nv
friend, but we can't do Il without cos
tunes. If we don't get any, I shall be
obliged to go I'm alone, and she win
wait in the cab; so you can't have II
III, on the other hand, you viii sell me
your frock-are you dressed completely
under it?'
| "Oh. yes. I'm dressed all right"
AND as to the domino7 Could it be
sparedr
"How funnyF exclaimed the young
woman, with laugh But everything
happens In Paris. Certainly your
friend can have the domino. Some
body spilled a glass OF book on the
back Of it"-and she turned to reveal
the stain-"but II your friend doesn't
mind that
J The stain is an advantage" replied
Darrell What says the monkT1
! My frock for the cab!" cried the
friar. at is yours"
Darrell protested that he must paw
: the worth of the dresses-indeed much
more-and he succeeded In forcing the
J young man to accept n sum that was
! probably an agreeable addition to his
exchequer. Then the two women got
into the cab, and 1t was Vera in mask
and domino who got out. Meanwhile
Darrell in the shadow Of the vehicle
had slipped the monks frock over his
/ head.
! L have made her n present of my
cloak" whispered Vera "She fancies
that am a millionairess upon a trifling
escapade. She will change her opinion
about my wealth when she views the
cloak by daylight. 1t has seen hard
service"
Il might give the gentleman my OBJ
era hat" replied Darrell. cor your
handcHffs. But the latter l value toe
highly as n souvenir, and the former.
closed, lies easily in the bosom of my
gown. And now for cabby."
: He beckoned TO the driver, who climb
cd down from the box.
Fifty francs for you" said Darrell.
and as much more tomorrow evening
II you are discreet Do you under
standf You will forget everything.
Call there at 6 tomorrow"
/ He gave the man his card, upon
which was written the address of a
, club.
why do you bribe himY" asked
! Vera.
"If any successful attempt is made
, to trace you." replied Darrell. this
man will be found, and If that hap
pens / want TO know OF tt. Meanwhile
, these costumes are great luck"
The unfrocked monk leaned from the
cab window and gave directions TO the
coachman. Vera and Darrell, turning
away, waved their hands in farewell.
The portal OF the Moulin Rouge was
beset by such n throng that Darrell
and his companion passed through I'M
noticed. But a moment later. as they
worked their way out OF the press, a
couple dressed as sailors, the woman's
costume being like the mans In the
minutest detail, accosted them with
merry badinage.
I'VE knew you weren't going away"
said the woman. You were afraid of
drinking too much wine"
mistaken Identity" laughed Darrell
in Vera's ear. 'T hope our friends
were well behaved, for their reputation
, has passed to US. Now to find the Cor
, dons. What a larkl And told Cor
! don this afternoon that would never
have any more funp'
A wild outburst of applause suddenly
arose upon their right, and the crowd
, eddied and swirled as all sought places
, or advantage from which to look down
upon the dancing floor. Darrell felt
Vera's hand on his arm; she seemed to
be drawing him forward
DO you care to see it?'' he asked.
why, yes" said she, ''since we are
here. What are they doing? 1 know
nothing of these grand entertainments.
was too young TO see much of such
fetes as we had in Stavropol. There is
place from which we can see."
And with the words she stepped
nimbly ahead Of him, securing a re-
markably good position.
at is the procession" said he, stand
Ing close behind her. 81 did not ex-
meet 70 Saa ff az 4hfS hO,r