The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-02-28

Tor 50. It's dlrt cheap at that price,
but it's so small wouldn't stand d
chance of getting back the cost of the
cloth renting it. What do you say?''
l said Yes" Immediately on seeing
the costume. 1t was giddy affair
with its livid green color, its long,
stuffed tail with fork at the end and
two little horns projecting from the
cap.
l paid NJ. Clausen his price, con-
graduating myself on getting a fine
suit so cheaply, and FASTENED back to
my rooms to try on my purchase.
When | presented myself at the
Newbury street house at 8 o'clock that
night, Colonel Wade greeted me in the
hall facetiously:
"Ah! So we are to be honored with
other members of the family? Two of
your brothers are already here. You're
DR.. Swain, I'll wager"
If the man with whom l. came in
daily contact did not recognize me, my
disguise was perfect. | laughed to
myself as passed up stairs.
Ten minutes later | was mingling
with as great a crowd of notables as
were assembled on that famous Styx
houseboat. Several William Shake
speares were strolling about the room,
Napoleon Bonaparte was having a
desperate Irritation with Joan of Arc
and over in one corner William Penn
was busily tanning a somewhat portly
edition of Queen Elizabeth.
AS | stepped into the ballroom
jostled against tall man dressed ex-
actly like myself, except that his CO.'S
tune was of glowing crimson. The
meeting was evidently more of sur
prise to him than to me.
"Where in hades did you come from,
Shortly he whispered, pulling me out
of the crowd.
"Why, naturally, that's just where
did come FROM" answered, disguis-
ing my voice and wondering mean
while at such language even from a
brother fiend.
81 told the professor you were cooked
for six months when | saw the pinch
yesterday. How did you get out?'
"Ask no questions" answered in a
solemn tone. laying my finger on my
lips. 81 have leave of absence from
his satanic majesty himself for to-
night only. Tomorrow l shall be cook
ed again, as you say"
"Well, we mustn't be seen together:
might cause suspicion. See you later"
l knew not a thing of what he was
talking about, but as my answers were
probably equally puzzling to him |
judged that we were even. Following
his advice, left him and began lo6.sa
ing for certain young lady.
In a few minutes had found a
graceful Cleopatra whom | thought l
recognized to such an extent that l
was perfectly willing to play Antony
to her for the rest of the evening.
Dropping the high falsetto in which
l had been talking to the red devil, l
assumed my natural voice.
"Oh. Mr.. Churchill! Is that you?
exclaimed the Egyptian queen. "Why,
I'd never have known you in this
worldv'
'In this world, of course not, but you
! certainly would in the lower one.
where you see l belong, Miss Dorothy
Cleopatra" answered, and we shook
hands.
"I'm SO glad to find some one l
know" she continued. 'T've been talk
ing to so many kings, queens and en-
perors for the last half hour that you
mustn't mind IL my conversation Is o
trifie stilted at first"
| 49,. as I've Just been comparing
temperatures with neighbor of mine
from hades you mustn't mind If there
is certain warmth to my remarks" l
! answered.
We were in the midst Of an interest
ing tete-a-tete when some one tapped
me on the shoulder. Turning, / saw
another devil-this one clad4n somber
black-behind me.
"Sorry to disturb you, but must
see you for few minutes" he said
grufiiy.
| l excused myself reluctantly to the
| fair queen and walked toward the II
! brary with my black companion.