Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-12
Enmeshed In Hank Of Hair Forrest nslsy
Forrest Halsey

the smolder of gems Fed by mystery, expectation
grew to subdued murmur as group after group
laughingly entered the gloom.
Noble Florentines,' said voice from the dark
ness when the last couple entered MY Lord Leo
nardo hearing that company of brave cavaliers ana
beauteous ladies driven from Florence nv - sire.
had taken refuge in his possessions, has hidden you
in all courtesy as It IS tne least o. .ne ,e =
mas to dine with him and pass the day from noon
to the set of sun in the pergola OF villa on the nils
overlooking Ravenna Here various joyous, gentle,
wonderful and pleasant things shall be done Tor your
amusing and in special honor of a young lord, his
friend, and gentle lady.
"Signores and signors, enter the feast IS spread.
Stringed music began to play and the curtains
forming the whole back of the room were drawn
away, revealing in food OF light what mad been the
grand ballroom of the Saint Mammon.
A deep "Oh" of long drawn wonder came, from
the crowd on the threshold
The ballroom had disappeared. stone floor OF
black and white mosaic extended TO terrace wall
of old Italian marble over which climbed and blew
hundreds of roses on their vines. Two MASSIVE
columns supported a roof of lattice work that hid
the ceiling and this and hanging from it In huge
profuson gstened masses of purple grapes. inc
yellow light of sitting through the grape leaves
dappIed the terrace with moving shadows and gnted
in prismatc colors from the antique gold silver and
Venetian glass of table covered with altar lace tnat
stood against the rose-covered wall. Beyond, clear
etched in summer sunshine, mile on mile the olive
vineyards stretched to the red roofs OF Ravenna.
Butterflies dipped among the roses. On long golden
perches tropic birds preened vivid wings. 1.-the
young Saracen, his bare arms and legs clasped by
silver bands, knet in corner tending some hawks
who shook their gded blinkers at monkey chained
De Bracy stood indicating the seating Of his guests
Young williams and his hancee entered, the woman
a pace in advance-she had copied Tiepolos Woman
in Green" and over her splendid hair she wore
head-net of diamonds and old canoes Without walt
ing for De Bracys hand she swept to the head OF the
table.
Hour after hour, marked by changing shadows and
struck by distant church bells, the dinner went on
Tumhers juggers fortune-telers, poets. wrsstlers,
capered sang and made their appeal Finally. the
curtains parted, revealing the greatest tenor OF the
age. Ave Maria, he sang
The monkey clashed his chain ant chartered.
De Bracy signalled the young Sara en-. Take him
out he said.
The Saracen bent looseped the monkeys cnaln'
made a msstep and fell.
Hes got awayi Catch him!" shouted Waters
cry from the and fury-hash leapt upon
the tabe-scream scream, as the monkey few It's
length sprang straight at the head of Mrs Red
ington Blackburn-an explosion of yells-and he
jumped from her shoulders clambering up the swing
ing grapevnes to the roof There he sat chattering.
picking at an Italian har-net while all around him
flowed copper mass of glorious hair.
Below Mrs Redington Blackburn cast her glass
into De Bracy's face You beast" she Kissed, her
face hard, old scanned through its cracked enamel