Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1906-11-08

was to have upon my destiny.
Bismillahl whatever that meansi)
CHAPTER u.
After half an hours wandering
q weird, dim and dusty. musty old
curioshop. with stuffed peacocks
hanging from the ceiling, and skulls
and bnonzes and marbles, paintings.
furnished jewelry and ancient armor,
rare books Of veilum. small arms, tap
estry, pastimes, plaster masks, and
musical instruments. recalled to
mind the shop Of the dealer in an
Equities Ia Baizsc's La Peau de Cha
grin. and glanced about mot without
q shiver) for the fatal ASS skin. II
forgot that / was wearing il myself
that nightD / was something OF a
collector OF antiquities, of the mani
mate kind, and for a time ! became
lost in peculation-speculatio rath-
er agreeable Of its kind. | liked TO
conjure up in fancy the various
scenes through which these curiosi.
ties had drifted In their descent to
this demi-pawnshop; the brave men
and beautiful women, the clangor OF
tocsins, the haze OF battles, the glitter
OF ball rooms, epochs and ages. What
romances lay behind yon satin slip
per? What grande dame had smiled
behind that ivory fan? What mea,
that furnished silver mask?
The old French proprietor was evi-
IDENTIFY all things from a pawnbroker
to an art collector; for most of the
jewelry was in excellent order and
the pictures possessed value far be
yond the instrinsic. He was wait
ing upon a customer, and the dingy
light that shone down on his bald
head made II look for all the world
like an ill-used billiard ball He was
exhibiting revolvers.
From the shining metal OF the
small arms, my glance travelled to
the face of the prospective buyer. II
was an interesting face, clean-cut
beardless. energetic, but the mouth
impressed me as being rather hard
Doubtless he felt the magnetism of
my scrutiny. for he suddenly looked
around. The expression on his face
was not one TO induce me 10 throw
my arms around his neck and de
clare | should be glad TO make his
acquaintance. IL was a scowl. He
was in evening dress. and I could
see that he knew very well how to
wear IL. All this was hut momentary
He took up a revolver and balanced II
on his palm.
BY and by the proprietor came sid
ling along behind the cases, the slip.
shod fashion OF his approach inform
ing me that he wore slippers.
DO you keep costumes" | asked.
Anything you like. sir from Q
crusader to a modern gentleman, -
with grim and appropriate irony.
What is It you are In search Of
a masquerade costume?
only a gray mask" | answered
Il am 10 go to a masked ball tonight
as a Gray Cspuchin, and want q
mask that will match my robe"
Your wants are simple"
From shelf he brought down q
box. took OF the cover. and left me
to make my selection Soon | found
what | desired, and laid ii aside, wait
ing for NJ Friard to return. Again
observed the other customer.
There is always . mystery TO be
solved and story TO be told. when
q man makes the purchase OF .
pistol in y pawnshop A man who
buys pistol for the sake OF pro-
lection does 30 in the light of day,
and in the proper place, q guns shop.
In the dusk OF evening. Well. il
was none OF my business. Doubtless.
he knew what no was doing. I
caughed suggestively. and Friand
came slipping In my direction again.
This is what ] want How much?"
! inquired.
Fifty centA II has never been
worn
drew out my wallet. had ar.
rived In town too late TO go TO the
bank. and | was carrying an ancom.
fortably large sum in gold-bills. As
! opened the wallet to extract a small
bill. ! saw the stranger eying me
quietly. Well. we'll the dullest being
brightens at the s!ght Of money and
it's representative drew out .
small bill and handed IL To the pro
prietor. He took II. together with
the mask, and sided over to the cash
register. The bell gave forth a muf.
fed sound. not unlike that of a fire.
hell in suOwst"rm. W he was
"a the act Of wrapping M my pur.
chase. | observed the silent custom.
er's approach. When he reached my