Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1903-08-28

was below stairs and not much frequent
ed. The half-dozen gentlemen. young
and old, who We're present ignored me,
now that / had brought myself within
close range. as a specimen unworthy of
inspection, and before / had finished my
cheroot the room was entirely deserted.
l looked in the mirror to see that my
bloodred lighting chip was stll squarely
in its place and then, throwing away my
cigar. turned TO leave the room.
In the doorway, standing with heels
close together ana quite blocking the en-
trance, was my military friend from the
parquette. He was regarding me with
the same glittering stare that had been
So distressing during the overture. and
now without shifting his attitude with
ont the culver of an eyelid. he said
sharply Take it of"
For a moment | was too much amazed
to speak; then, if | recall correctly.
stepped back "A foot or two in order to
timber myself for a sudden rush. lie was
quicker than /, for before / could do
more than say Oh YOU. sir. -"
his right hand came from behind his back
and was looking into the muzzle of a
revolver pointed squarely between my
eyes.
Take it of" he said again. | glanced
about for some weapon of defense. There
was a heavy iron cuspidor near by at my
his range and to arm myself, and as
did so | heard the click of the pistol lock
and he said-this time i'm a voice that
meant only business" Take it off quick
or I'll kill you"
Trembling. cold and hot at the same
time, Strengthened up and with one
hand tugged slowly at the cravat as
backed farther away from him.
" Hurry" ne said. " give il to me-"
l., l,,ll lit h,,,
volver still leveled in his right. and
dropped the ribbon on the floor.
" Pick it up" he said and although
didn't know till then | was a coward,
picked it up and handed it to him.
" Thank you" said he. and backed out
of the room; then wheeling about he
walked swiftly up the stairs. l could
hear the door into the lobby swing back
as he passed through and the sound of
the orchestra told me the curtain had
risen on the second act.
Now | ask you, my dear Mr.. Partridge
down there i'm the drawing room. what
would you have. done in my position? |
/ leaned against the wall, breathing very
/ hard. The mirror was opposite and my
shirt bosom, even i'm the conspicuous alb
/ Sepce of its crimson ornament was not
whittier than my face. The moments went
by and | stood there like Il whipped child
as indeed | was.
What should | do? To return to Miss
Eta, not only to Miss Eta but to all my
newly-made acquaintances throughout
the opera house, wearing no craVat at
all, was beyond thought. The bone col
lar button, which stood cheaply where a
minute before had been "A gorgeous tie
seemed like "A small yellow eye leering at
my predicament. Where was | to get
another red craVat at that time of night?
and how, even if that We're possible,
could ! explain my long absence to Miss
Haines?
At the thought of her distress | was
moved to action. ! left the smoking-room
and noiselessly pushed open the door into
the lobby and peered through the glass
doors that separated it from the audi
forum, into the parquette. Miss Eta
was gone! Instinctively l looked for the
military william; he was gone. tool The
boudoir scene of the opera OF Mignon