The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1912-12-27

ton which said to her. "Tumultuous
applause"
She nodded and smiled. and he rush
ed behind the scenes to ask an eXpla-
nation
He grasped both her hands md
found them cold and trembling with
excitement.
What on earth does this mean?"
simply that | was engaged to sing
tonight. and l wanted to surprise you.
Didn't you like my song:"
1T lifted me to the gates of heaven.
dear"
Then 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 I don't understand-your father
hates Bivens So
A big hand was laid on his shoulder.
he turned and faced the doctor smiling.
but l don't hate him. my boy! I've
given up such foolishness. We've
buried the Ratchet. I'm to see him in
a few minutes and we are to be good
friends
"Bivens invited you here to discuss
a business proposition tonight" 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 Mr.. Bivens and have had
some correspondence and I'm to see
him in little while and talk things
over quite informally, Of course. but
effectively"
HE has agreed to a conference
here?' the young lawyer asked,
anxiously.
"Why. of course. His butler has just
told me he would see me Immediately
after the ball begins"
Stuart breathed easier and turned to
Harriet.
"You look glorious tonight little pal!
Funny that l 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"
II am twenty-four, you know" she
said. simply.
II have never believed 1t until to-
night. wouldn't have known you at
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 cornice
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 robes
of cotton fiber which were drawn over
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 ghostlike waltz.
From the corners of the high balco-
MES strange lights flashed. developing
in hideous outlines and phosphor-
escent colors of the skeletons and long.
fuzzy. exaggerated lines of the ac-
companying worms. The effect was
thrilling.
Suddenly the music stopped with a
crash. Each ghostly couple. skeleton
and worm. stood motionless. The
silvery note of a trumpet called from
the sky. The blinking eyes of the
death heads in the ceiling and on the
walls faded slowly. The trumpet
pealed a second signal-the darkness
fed and the great room suddenly
blazed with 10000 electric lights. The
orchestra struck the first notes of
thrilling waltz, and, presto, in an in
slant the women appeared in all the
splendor of the most gorgeous gowns.
their bare arms and necks flashing
with priceless jewels. and each man
bowed before her in immaculate even
ing clothes.
From the four corners of the vast room
were released thousands Of gorgeous
ly tinted butterflies. imported from
the tropics for the occasion. AS the
dancers glided through the dazzling
scene these wonderfully coloFed crea-
lures huttered about them in myriads.
darling and eircling In every direction
among the flowers and lights until the
room seemed a veFitable fairyland.
A burst Of applause swept the crowd