Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-04-02

/ hNdSi.
Il have made her present Of my
cloak" whispered Vera. "She fancies
that am millionairess upon 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 op-
era hat" replied Darrell, "or your
handouts. But the latter value too
highly as souvenir, and the former,
closed, lies easily in the bosom Of my
gown. And now for cabby."
He beckoned to the driver, who climb
ed down from the box.
Fifty francs for you," said Darrell,
"and as much more tomorrow evening
II you are discreet. Do you under
stand? You will forget everything.
Call there at tomorrow"
He gave the man his card, upon
which was written the address Of a
club.
"Why do you bride him?" asked
Vera.
IF any successful attempt is made
to trace you," replied Darrell, .this
man will be found, and If that hap
pens I want to know of it. 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 throng that Darrell
and his companion passed through I'M
noticed. But moment later, as they
worked their way out of the press, q
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. II hope our friends
were well behaved, for their reputation
has passed to us. Now to find the Cor
dons. What lark! And told Cor
don this afternoon that I would never
have any more funv
A wild outburst Of applause suddenly
arose upon their right, and the crowd
eddied and swirled as all sought places
OF 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 itT' he asked.
"Why, yes" said she, "since we are
here. What are they doing? I know
nothing of these grand entertainments.
was too young to see much Of such
fetes as we had in Stavropol. There is
a place from which we can see."
And with the words she stepped
nimbly ahead Of him, securing re-
markably good position.
1T is the procession" said he, stand
ing close behind her. II did not ex-
pect to see it at this hour. It repre-
sents the entry of Roman conqueror
into captured city Of Assyria."
1T Is like scene in theaterr she
CRIED "See the painted palaces! How
beautiful, and with such an air of
antiquity! There is the conqueror in
his chariot. There are the warriors
and the captives. It is magnificent"
She turned and looked up at Darrell.
and he noted how her eyes were shin
ing through the mask.
There had been music. It ceased and
then burst forth again in delirious
melody, which was instantly caught up
by the throng upon the floor. The pro-
cession had passed around the circle,
winding among the painted palaces. in
whose windows could be seen men and
women in the ancient Assyrian cos
tune, copied with great exactitude
from the memorials of that vanished
era. Dancers, were crowding upon the
floor Quadrilles formed as IL by
magic. One caught glimpses of IA
nous men in the world Of art, and
among them, dominating the scene,
We're the beautiful women Of that
world, the famous models, CARRIED in
costumes the most magnificent or the
most simple. some shod in gold leath-
er, others barefoot, some shining with
| jewels, others garlanded with cheap
posies daintily put on.
And they all sang till the voices
drowned the great orchestra and the
roof rang with the song.
What is it?" asked Vera. ~ have
heard it in the street"
ut is 'LHeure Charmante,' the lat
est craze of the Quarter" replied Oar
rell. you know it, .then?" for she had
begun to sing. "Then why not? It is
in the air."
He added his own strong and clear
voice to hers, and they sang together
Justify.
Suddenly the people on their left
veered toward the dancing floor. Vera
turned quickly, her eyes burning. He
nodded, and their hands were clasped
together Another moment and these
two. so strangely met, were dancing
among the revelers-this woman with
the scars of letters on her wrists, this
man who was alive because a bullet
fired half an hour before and meant for
him had gone astray. It was in har-
mony with the nights adventure that
they should dance and sing together in
this mad throng that whirled them
hither and thither, aimless as fate.
The music stopped with an abrupt
crash of the instruments and break
of the voices from song to shouting,
then to silence. All looked toward the
highest gallery, where appeared Lucia,
acclaimed the favorite model and now
proudly perched upon pedestal. She
was small of stature. and her beauty
was not Of the type that carries" to a
great distance. Her costume, however,
was wonderfully effective. She wore
a gown of pale green, brocaded with
irises, and she held in her hands vel.
low veil SO variable in quality under
the lights that it seemed to waver
round her body like tongue of fame.
A famous artist made quick sketch
Of her us she stood there, and then the
Oldest of the students, giant, dressed
like gladiator, gave her his hand, and
as she stepped down from the pedestal
he kissed her on the forehead, us If to
typify the reverence for beauty in the
hearts Of all that vast assembly of its
worshipers. Applause rewarded him,