Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-20

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else heard it or not But did so much
wish that she might have heard it or
her husband because they are from the
south"
But don't understand-your father
hates Bivens so.''
A big hand was laid on his shoulder,
be turned and faced the doctor smiling
But don't hate him. my boyl I've
given up such foolishness. We've
buried the Ratchet. I'm to see him In
few minutes and we are to be good
friends"
"Bivens invited you here to discuss
a business proposition tonightr' Stuart
exclaimed, blankly.
mo, no, no." the doctor answered.
II came with Harriet. Of course. Her
music teacher placed her on the pro-
gram. But Mt. Bivens and have had
some correspondence and I'm to see
him In a little while and talk things
over quite Informally, Of course, but
effectively"
He has agreed to a conference
hereT the young lawyer asked,
anxiously.
why. OF course. His butler has just
told me he would see me Immediately
after the ball begins"
Stuar+ breathed easier and turned to
Harriet.
You look glorious tonight. little pail
Funny that / never saw you In even
ing dress before. You look so tall and
queenly. so grown. so mature. You're
beginning to make me feel old. child.
I'll be thinking Of you as a grown
woman next"
81 am twenty-four, you know" she
said. simply.
81 have never believed It until to-
night wouldn't have known you at
first but for your voice. I had to rub
my eyes then"
The lights were suddenly turned
lower, approaching total darkness.
The attendants noiselessly removed
the temporary stage and cleared the
great room for the dancers.
As the chimes struck the hour of
midnight. skeleton heads slowly began
to appear peeping from the shadows
Of the arched ceiling and from every
|
and pillars. Draperies of filmy Grape
flowing gently in the breeze were
lighted by sulphurous hued electric
rays from the balconies. Tiny electric
lights blinked in every skeletons
sunken eyes and behind each grinning
row of teeth. Suddenly two white
figures drew aside the heavy curtains
in the archway and the dancers
marched into the somber room.
The men were dressed as shrouded
skeletons and the women as worms
The men wore light fimsy gray robes
on which skillful artists had painted
on four sides In deep colors the pic
lures of human skeletons.
The women wore curious light robe:
: of cotton fiber which were drawn owe
the entire body and gave to each figure
the appearance of huge caterpillar.
The strange figures began to move
slowly across the polished floor to the
strains Of a ghostlike waltz.
From the corners of the high balco
MES strange lights flashed. developing
in hldeous outlines and phosphor
escent colors Of the skeletons and long
fuzzy, exaggerated lines of the &C
companying worms. The effect wa
thrilling
Suddenly the music stopped with ,
crash. Each ghostly couple. skeleton
and worm, stood motionless. TIL,
silvery note of q trumpet called from
the sky. The blinking eyes of tn
. death heads in the ceiling and on tn,
walls faded slowly. The trumpe
pealed a second signal-the darkness
fed and the great room suddcnl.
blazed with 10000 electric lights TIL
orchestra struck the first notes of
thrilling waltz. and. presto. in an In
slant the women appeared In all tn
splendor of the most gorgeous gowns
their bare arms and necks flashing
with priceless jewels, and each ma
bowed before her in immaculate even
ing clothes.
From the four corners of the vast rooI
were released thousands of gorgeous
ly tinted butterflies. imported fror
the tropics for the occasion. AS tn
dancers glided through the dazzlin
scene these wonderfully colored crea
lures fluttered about them In myriadi