The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-15

!ta1an headnet or the period It will De DeautsSus in her hair"
 The progress of an unusual social event zt- tested by the dense crowd about the lighted awnings of the Saint Mammon on Christmas Eve.
 Upon entering, the guests were hosted in lifts to the dressing rooms, where twentieth century wraps discarded, revealed sixteenth century F1orenfneG, Before comparisons could be made they were hur- ried to the of the large ballroom of the Saint Mammon. The lights here were so dim as tc obscure all but the faint gleam of bare shoulders and the smo1der of gems. Fed by mystery, cxpec- fation grew to a subdued murmur group after group laughngly entered the gloom. Noble F1orentines," said voice from the dark when the las. couple entered. My Lord Leo nardo, hearing that company of brave cavaliers and beautious ladies driven from Florence by the siege had taken refuge in his possessions has bidden you in all courtesy, it is the feast of the Eve of Christmas, to dine with him and pass the day from the hills overlooking Rayenna. Here vareous joyous gentle, wonderful and pleasant things shall De done for 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 grand ballroom of the Saint Mammon.
 A deep "Ohr' of long drawn wonder came from the crowd on the threshold.
 sThe 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 roof of lattice work that hid the ceiling and this and hanging from 1t in huge yellow light of noon sitting through the grape leaves dapled the terrace with moving shadows and gnted in prismatic coiors from the antique. gold, silver and Venetian glass of table covered with altar lace that stood against the rose-covered wz 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. A 1.-the young Saracen, his bare and legs cszsped
 
 hawks who shook their gilded b1ipkers at monkey chained by jeweled girde to the terrace wall
 De Bracy stood indicating the seating of his guests.
 Woman in Green" and over her splendid hair she head-net of diamonds and old camtos. With out waiting for De Bracy's hand, she swept to the
 Hour after hour, marked by changing shadows and struck by distant church bells, the dinner on Tumblers, .jugglcrs, fortune-teilers, poets, wrestlers, capercd 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 and chattered him out" he said.
 The saraesn bent lo0sened the monkeys chain.
 He's got away!" Catch himr shouted Waters
 cry from the women and 2 fury-fash leapt upon the table-scream on scream, as the monkey flew it's length and sprang straight at the head of Mrs. Re- d1ngton Blackburn-an explosion of yclls-and he jumped from her shoulders, clansbering up the swinging grapevnes to the roof There he sat chaf- te-ng, picking at Italian hairnet while all around him flowed copper of glorious hair.
 Below, Mrs. Redington Blackburn cast her glass into De Bracys face. You beast" she hissed, her face, hard old, scanned through its cracked enamel while in the red glory of the setting sun her head shone-bald.
 Tt is easily explained, Etr Williams" said De Bracy. "Her maid told my man that when she was iii retreat in the Austrian Tyrol she contracted sickness that left her bald. So I had a monkey trained to snatch the head-net wherever he saw if He saw 1t on Mrs. Blackburn. Did you see that the lady had left for Europe?"
 Yes" grinned the old man, "and did you see ths? handing him slip of paper.
 Mir Williams, said De Bracy, this check IS foo great. I am overpad."
 No you ain't. You've saved the United Milling and give my wife Christmas gift thafn make :ic rest of her life happy"