The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1907-01-10

to-to-lodge, tonight"
The words were out at last. No.
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
ngly about my shoulders.
DO go, Jack; it will do you good.
III not be at all afraid to remain
nere."
Honest, Nell?" | queried, drawing
her on my lap and gazing at her ques-
tionally. Really won't you feel bad
ly, If | go?"
"Not the least little bit. / want you
to go"
She was very insistent on my go.
ing and later as | walked to the club,
Icould not help thinking of her eager
ness to get me off. We had been mar
ried but few months and this was
the first night that / had left her
alone. Nell is one of those lovable,
clinging sort of women, and | had ex-
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 Nelrs 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 initiations-and never were can
didates put through more ridiculous
stunts. / entered into the sport with
the abandon of youth. 1t seemed good
to be free-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 un-
usally witty; glasses clinked merrily
and the glitter, the laughter, the song,
| 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
go 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 its 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 a 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
black-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
Olc pct tOl IL
Escaping. l turned to follow the
coquetting little Jap, but she had be
come lost in the whirling vortex Of
dancers. | stood fascinated. Al
about me was life-life that | hat
once known. Grotesque and fancifu
attlred maskers, waltzed and paraded
before me. The hall was brilliant
with electric bulbs; the orchestra
| crashed inspiring music from behinC
the palms; the scene was ever chang
ing and the merry laughter and buzz
| of the gay throng was contagious. i
sent the dormant blood raging
| through my veins.
In the arms of plllow-stuffed mig
ger wench, a moment later, | was jam
ming through the crowd / lost my
silk hat in the shuttle and stopped Il
regain 1t.
Bang! l was struck amidships an(
was sent sprawling on all fours.
fat woman sat gracefully down on tht
small of my back With every effor
to arise she pumped down harder
threatening to fiatten me like a pan
cake. My grunts brought my friends
TO my assistance and she was raised
| Grasping my battered hat, fed.
| Bat zip! The treacheTous slipper!
noor slid out from under me and sen