Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1906-12-15
The Girl in Red.

Nell-lt you don't mind, / m COINS
to-to--lodge, tonight"
The words were out at last MOI
daring to look at her. l gulped the
steaming coffee and covertly over the
edge of the cup, gave her a quick
glance. Instead of tears, greatly to
my surprise a pleased expression il
lumined her face. Arising, she swept
over to me and threw her arms low
mgly about my shoulders.
do go. Jack; 1t will do you good.
m not be at all afraid to remain
nere'
Honest. Nen?" | queried, drawing
her on my lap and gazing at her ques-
tionally. Really won't you feel bad
ly, if l go?"
Not the least little bit want you
to go.'
She was very insistent on my 60
ing and later as | walked to the club,
l could not help thinking of her eager
ness to get me Off We had been mar
i ried but a few months and this was
the first night that had left her
alone. Nell is one of those lovable,
! Shh5Aho oVA VI WUliAtiit anu hAO CAT
pected burst OF tears and plant that
| no longer loved her. Her manner to
say the least was surprisingly differ
ent. 1t puzzled me
But Nells actions however. were
soon forgotten. At the club, l was
hailed as one back from the dead.
The boys crowded about me, chaffed
good-naturedly about giving the "old
lady" the slip and welcomed me into
| their midst. with open arms. There
were limitations and never were can
| didates put through more ridiculous
stunts | entered into the sport with
the abandon of youth. 1t seemed good
to be lree-to get out with the boys
again Once more l was the reckless,
fun-loving, devil-may-care fellow that
my friends had known.
The speeches and toasts were I'M
usally witty; glasses clinked merrily |
and the glitter, the laughter, the song, |
l guess went to my head. A sort of |
resentment against Nell for having
kept me tied so closely to her apron
string, crept into my breast.
The banquet broke up, but did not
60 home. The night air was glorious.
Never had known night to possess
such alluring charm. A party of six
kindred spirits, set out to do the
town" The full moon riding high in
the heavens, smilingly beamed it's ap-
prOval A policeman sulking in the
shadow of an electric light pole,
watched us suspiciously. Music at
tracted us. A masque ball was being
held in nearby hall and we broke
in upon the dance, as the music
crashed and the dancers swept out
upon the polished floor.
A dainty little creature robed in
quaint Japanese costume, coyly ap-
preached on tip toes and chucking me
under the chin, fitted gayly away.
tried to pursue but Mephisto in
flaming red, with a demure little
blacll-draped nun in his arms, laugh
ingly BUMPED me back into the crowd.
There was an agonizing Shrek of pain
and then a green hued umbrella was
brought forcibly down on my head
and shoulders had stepped on some
ones pet corn.
Escaping, turned to follow the
coquetting little Jap, but she had be-
come lost in the whirling vortex Of
dancers. stood fascinated. All
about me was life-life that ! had
once known. Grotesque and fanciful
attired maskers, waltzed and paraded
before me- The hall was brilliant
with electric bulbs; the orchestra
crashed inspiring music from behind
the palms; the scene was ever chang
ing and the merry laughter and buzz
Of the gay thrOng was contagious It
sent the dormant blood raging ,
through my veins.
In the arms of a pillow-stuffed mig
ger wench, a moment later, was jam (,
ming through the crowd l lost my :
silk hat in the shuttle and stopped to :
regain it. :
Bang! l was struck amidships and .
was sent sprawling on all fours. A /,
fat woman sat gracefully down on the =
small of my back. With every effort :
to arise, she pumped down harder, :
TO fiatten me like a pan =
cake. MY grunts brought my friends
to my assistance and she was raised.
Grasplng my battered hat. HeA.
But zipt|AThe treacherous slippery .
floor slid out from under me and sent :
my feet pirouetting into the air and my
head downward. / landed on the back
Of my neck and then rather dazedly
sat up. Surrounding me on every side
was a laughing. jesting crowd. Knight !
7rrants, clowns, monks, colonial :
danes and sportive misses whose alb '
Drevlated skirts allowed a display of I
iaintly turned ankles, were hilarious
over my discontinue.
/ tried to join In their march-but !
/ dull sickening feeling overcame me.
suddenly awakened to my true self
md my thoughts returned to Nell
lear trusting girl, awaiting alone at
,pp1a For NV Vott1rn With poncofpuca &