The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-12-10

the entertainment Dy ulTeu uduCeIS'
singers and professional entertainers
began on an improvised stage.
During this part of the program the
women and men of the banqueing
party who were to appear in the fancy
dress ball at II, including Nan, retired
to the rooms above to dress for their
parts.
Stuart noted with some establishment
the peculiar somber effects Of the ball
room He had expected a scene Of
splendor. Instead the impression was
distinctly funereal. The lights were
dimmed like the interior Of a theater
during the performance. and the lofty
gilded ceilings with their mural decOra
tons seemed to be draped in tilmy
black Grape.
The professional entertainment be-
gan on the little stage amid univer-
sal gable which made it impossible
for anything save pantOmime to be in
telligible beyond the footlights. Star
after star, whose services had cost
$1,000 each for one hour, appeared
without commanding the slightest at
tentiOn.
Stuart turned to the program in his
hand and idly read the next number:
"A song by an unknown star.
He was wondering what joke the
manager was about to perpetrate on
the crowd when his ear caught the first
sweet notes Of Harriet's voice singing
the old song he loved so well, the song
she had first sung the day he came
from the south.
His heart gave a throb of pain. Who
could have prepared this humiliation
for his little pal? He.pushed his way
through the throng Of chattering fools
until he stood alone straight in front of
the slender little singer. She saw him
at once, smiled and sang as be had
never heard her sing To his further
surprise Stuart saw the doctor stand
ing in the shadows at the corner of the
stage looking over the gOsSiping. noisy
crowd with a look Of anger and horror
When the last note of the song died
away. quivering with a supernatural
tenderness and passion, he brushed q
tear from his eyes. lifted his hands
high above his head and made mo
ton which said to her, "Tumultuous
applause"
She nodded and smiled, and he rush
ed behind the scenes to ask an eXpia
nation.
He grasped both her hands and
found them cold and trembling with
excitement.
What on earth does this mean"
Simply that | was engaged to sing
tonight, and | wanted TO surprise you
Didn't you like my song:'
1t lifted me to the gates of heaven,
dear
Then l don't care whether any one
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
big hand was laid on his shoulder,
he turned and faced the doctor smiling
"Hut | don't hate him. my boy, I've
given up such fooishnesS. 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 tonight" Stuart
exclaimed, blankly.
NO, no, no." the doctor answered.
II came with Harriet. of course. Her
music teacher placed her on the pro-
gram. But Mr.. 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"
here the young lawyer asked.
anXiously.
why, of course. His butler has just
told ne he would see me Immediately
after the bali begins"
Stuart breathed easier and turned to
Harriet.
You look glorious tonight, little PAL
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 grown
woman next"
Il am twenty four. you know she
said, simply.
Il have never believed It until to-
night. ! wouldn't have known you ut
first but for your voice | 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
nook and corner of the huge cornce
and pillars. Draperies OF fiImy Grape
flowing gently in the breeze We're
lighted by sulphurous hued electric
rays from the balconies. Tiny electric
lights biinked in every skeletons
sunken eyes and behind each crinninr
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 f1imsy 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 robes
Of cotton fiber which were drawn over