The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-12-20
The Yellow Domino.
BY KATHARINE lyman.

as might be. seeing that there were
80 hungry gentlemen to be fed before
morning broke. We cast lots for the
order of precedence, and. as it chanc-
ed. came to be the last of ell. where
fore Luke Monroe clapped me On the
shoulder and congratulated me that |
was not likely to have an Indigestion
from too speedy feeding. if | ran the
risk Of getting no supper a. all
l would have bartered many sup
pers to catch but one sight Of Flea
rora, where fore it chafed me that my
lot should have been cast last. Nor
could | ask any to change with ne.
seeing that all were so hungry, ana
had rot known what it was 10 have as
full meal as this was like to be for
many year. if, indeed. they had it
ever; for it is not every day that a
plain gentleman is cooked for by NJ
Paul. the Kings chef de cuisine.
Tha first cock lad crowed before
the tlc!let was thrust in my hand and
the Yellow Domino over my head
and shoulders. But the ball was sill
at its height. The court was dancing
minuet. AS | pushed my way
through the masks, some one plucked
at my domino. l looked down, to see
a sharp-faced man wearing a cook s
cap end white apron.
Come with me-" he said. 81 have
something worthy Of SO distinguished
a SOurmcnt. You have doEc me honor
tonight, Monsieur"
| knew not if it were a jest or not.
but l allowed him to draw me into
the supper room. The place was no
such ruin as I had expected. Many
servants carried away empty dishes
and replaced thom by full.
Fall to. most excellent gentleman;
fall to-" said the little ran, rubbing
his hands and gazing at me with mis-
head to one side, and his sharp black
eyes gloatings upon me.
How long does the court stay?"
asked.
why. it will dance in the dawn"
he responded; perhaps two hours
hence the coaches will be called for"
l fell to then, realizing that l wos
hungry man. and faith, l cleaned
Inc platters with vengeance, but as
fast os | ate, other delicacies were
laid before me as though by magic.
And ! drank great draughts which
seemed to take the colu from my
heart that had lain there SO long
indeed, since Elearora had left it
empty.
l had the last goblet to my lips.
when | felt a hand cn my shoulder,
and, turning around, | became aware
that the room was filled with ladies
and gentlemen, all very splendidly
clad end sparkling with jewels. There
was Let mask to be seen. unless,
iEdeed, it was the little cook, who had
fallen into the background, and stood
there rubbing his hands in an attitude
of great humility.
who are you, Master ieIlow Domi-
no." asked he whose hand was on
my shoulder, "tha. wear the mask
when the signal has been given to
and who do such great JUS
tice to cur good things?'
l knew tie face well between its
falling masses of curis, even If had
not recognized lie Grand Monarque'
by the stars ana orders with which
he glittercd magnificently.
t,,%o II
not dare uncover, for there, by the
Queen, stood Eleanora. all in white
and gold tissue, more beautiful. If
more sad. t,an'I remembered her.
The King gave ne another slap on
the shoulder. -t
why, you are the most prodigious
fellow" he said, "a grosser feeder
even than n. Porthos. Tell us again,
good Paul. what ile has eaten
The little cook whom l row per-
eived to be no other than the Kings
cook, then came forward and testified
that since 10 o'clock | hal not been
above five minutes absent from the
tables. g.
he produced his tablets, and l Will
cay that even for 80 gentlemen Of the
Irish regiment the consumption OF food
and drink was indeed prodigious. AS
,ic' went on the King roared with
laughter. The Queen and her ladies
hid their merriment behind their fans,
all except Eleanor, wLo watched me
with a strange intentress, as though
she had somehow fathoned my dis
guise.
The supper room was now full to
the door, every one tiptoei1g anI
TO catch sight Of the
Yellow Domino.
Come sir, said the King. Eve must
see your face. Of with .~e domino!
You are one of the wonders Of the
word. You shall stay with Us, and