Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1912-03-07

nerience he now asked himself with
terror what game the girl was play
ing? Up TO what point could an op-
era.siuger make a fool OF good-nat-
ured young man, quite new 70 ioVe'
o misery!
Thus did RaouIs thoughts ny from
one extreme to the other. he no
longer knew whether to pity Christine
or to curse her; and he pitied ana
cursed her turn and turn about. AT
all events, he bought a white domino.
The hour of the appointment came
Mt last. With his face In mask
trimmed with long, thick lace, looking
Tx. n pierrot in his white wrap, the
viscount thought himself very rldlcu-
Ions. Men of the world do not go 10
the opera ball in fancy-dress! II was
absurd. One thought, however, con-
soled the viscount he would certain
ly never be recognized!
This ball was an exceptional analr'
given some time before Shrovetide, in
honor of the anniversary Of the Dlrtn
of n famous craftsman; and 1t was
expected to be much gayer, noisler'
more Bohemian than the ordinary
, masked ball. Numbers OF artists nau
arranged to go, accompanied by d
whole cohort OF models and pupils
who. by midnight, began to create
, tremendous din. Raoul climbed the
grand staircase at five minutes 10
twelve, did not linger to look at the
) motley dresses displayed all the way
/. I'M the marble steps, one OF the rlch-
est settings in the world, allowed no
facetious mask to draw him INTO
war of wits, replied to no jests and
: shook off the bold familiarity OF
: number OF couples who had already
r become a trifle too gay. Crossing the
big crush-room and escaping from
mad whirl of dancers in which he was
caught for a moment, he at last en-
tered the room mentioned In CHRIS
/, tines letter He found 1t crammed I;
for this small space was the point
! where all those who were going TO
supper in the Rotunda crossed those
who were returning from taking a
I glass OF champagne. The fun, mere
9 waxed fast and furious.
n Raoul leaned against. door-pos'
. and waited. He did not wait long. A
black domino passed and gave quick
:. squeeze to the tips of his fingers. he
understood that 1t was she and FOL
q lowed her:
i rs that you, Christine?" he asked
= between his teeth.
tVIrn
= promptly and raised her finger to mel
iips. no doubt to warn him not to
mention her name again. Raoul con
tinued to follow her in silence.
He was afraid of losing her, after
meeting her again in such serange
circumstances. His grudge against
her was gone He no longer doubted
that she had nothing to reproacn
herself with" however peculiar and
inexplicable her conduct might seem
He was ready to make any display
of clemency, forgiveness or coWardice
He was in love. And, no doubt, nc
would soon receive a very natural ex
PLANTATION Of her curious absence.
The black domino turned back from
time to time to see II the white dom
inc was still following.
AS Raoul once more passed through
the great crush-room, this time in the
wake of his guide, he could not hell
noticing a group crowding round
person whose disguise, eccentric all
and gruesome appearance were caus
ing q sensation 1t was man dressed
all in scarlet, with a huge hat ant
feathers on the top Of wonderful
deaths head From his shoulders huns
Z an immense red-velvet cloak, which
!" trailed along the floor like a kings
train; and on this cloak was EN-
broidered, in gold letters, which every
d one read and repeated aloud, Don
x touch me! | am Red Death stalking
abroad"
}? Then one, or atty daring, did try tt
N touch him but Skeleton
70 hand shot out Of crimson sleeve
ut and violently seized the rash one
e. wrist; and he, feeling the clutch o
rs the knucklebones, the furious grasl
Id of Death, uttered a cry of pain ant
p terror. When Red Death released hin
n. at last, he ran away like very mad
I'd man, pursued by the jeers of the by
ISLANDERS.
OF It was at this moment that Raou
y passed in front of the funereal mas
ca querader, who had just happened t
n turn in his direction. And he nearl
gu exclaimed:
SIS The deaths head of Perroi
ne Guirec!"
'r- He had recognized him! H
nc wanted to dart forward, forgettin
ng Christine; but the black domino, VIII
q! also seemed prey to some strang
excitement, caught him by the arr
or and dragged him from the crush-roon
I'D far from the mad crowd through whic
Red Death was stalking.
~ AetW