Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-04-25


len doesn't repeat herself. There'll be
row of dozen beauties. the most
dangerous girls in all st. Louis. You
shall meet them all and have your
guess as to which is Ellen"
"And shall l never know in all the
world?"
"Never in all the yorld But grieve
not. Tonight joy is TO be unconfined,
and there is no tomorrow.
"And one may make mad love to
any?"
ITO any whom one madly loves. OF
course; not to twelve at once. But
/ we must 60 See. isn't it fine?"
At once from somewhere on parade
there came the clear note of bugIe.
which seemed to draw the attention
of all. We could see ascending the
great flagstaff at the end of its hal
yard the broad folds of the flag. Fol
lowing this was hoisted a hoop or rim
/ of torches. which paused in such po-
sition that the folds of the flag were
well Illuminated. A moment of silence
came at that and then ciapping of
hands from all about the parade as
the banner foated out. and the voices
of men. deep throated. greeted the
flag. Again the bands broke into the
strains of the national anthem. but
| Immediately they swung into rollick
ing cavalry air.
Tonight" said Kitty to me zone
may be faithless and be shriven BY
~ -
these things go? Such a lot of fuss is
made in the world by ignoring the
great fact that man is by nature both
gregarious and poIygamous. Believe
me. there is much in this doctrine of
the Mormons out there in the west
The floor now was beginning to fill
with dancers. There moved before US
kaleidoscope of gay colors. over
which breathed the fragrance of soft
music. A subtle charm emanated from
these surroundings. Music. the sight
and odor of sweet flowers. the sound
of pleasant waters, the presence of
things beautifui-these have ever had
their effect ON me.
Signing. said to myself that was
young. | turned to speak to my hos
tess. but she was gone. So there
stood for half an hour. biting my
thumb. had as yet seen nothing of
the mysterious Ellen, when 1 felt
tug at my sleeve.
Come with me- whispered voice.
1t was Kitty. We passed to the op-
posite side of the dancing floor and
halted at the front of a wide marquee,
whose flaps were spread to cover
long row of seats.
Count them.' said Kitty. There
are twelve
And so indeed there were twelve
beautiful young girls. as one might
pronounce. even though all were mask
them were dressed in white and half
in black. and thus they alternated
down the row. Twelve hands handled
divers fans. Twelve pairs of eyes look
ed out, eyes merry. or challenging. or
mysterious, one could not tell. About
these young bellies gathered the dens-
est throng of all the crowd.
At each fair charmer as l bowed I
looked with what directness dared to
see if might penetrate the mask and
SO foil Kitty in her amiable intentions
AS we passed out at the foot of the
row recalled that I had not heard
the name of Ellen.
Now, then. which one is sLe?" |
queried of my hostess.
SILLY, do you want me to put your
hand in hers? You are now on your
own resources. Play the game" And
the next moment she again was gone
had opportunity without rudeness,
the crowd SO pressing in behind me. to
glance once more up the line saw.
or thought saw. just chance glance
toward where stood. near the foot of
the Row of Mystery. as they called it
looked second time and then all
doubt whatever vanished.
If this girl In the black laces, with
the gold comb In her hair and the gold
shot little shoes just showing at the
edge OF her gown and the red rose ar
her hair. held down by the comb, half
hidden by the pile of locks caught up
by the ribbon of the mask, If this girl
were not the mysterious Ellen. then
indeed must Ellen look well to her
laureIs. for here. indeed. was q rivai
for her!
| began to edge through the ranks of
young men who gathered there. laugh
ing. beseeching. imploring, claiming
The sparkle Of the scene was in my
veins. did not walk-the music car
ried me before her. And so | bowed
and murmured. 81 have waited hours
for my hostess to present me to Miss
Ellen" q mumbled the rest OF some
imaginary name since had heard
none.l
The girl pressed the tip Of her fan
against her teeth and looked at me
meditatively.
"And ours, of course, is this dance"