The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-08-18

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1t was typical southern even
ing. mild and b. my. In February,
1873. The cub drivers of b
R were unus lally busy, for IL
brilliant masked ball In which the
elite OF the city and neighborhood
participated was being held IN the
Grand Opera House.
Life and death form the most
striking contrast. The principal
cemetery was but few rods from
this temple OF art Its marble mon
aments CLEANED In the moonlight.
contrasting slngularly with the
bright lights and merry laughter
the cheerful sound of music and the
mingling OF the gay maskers. Under
the gravestones and monuments re-
posed the dead, who, still and peace
full now, were once whirling about
In the dance or life, drinking from
the foaming goblet OF Joy and pteu-
sure.
Two colored hack-drivers, John
and Peter, had Just brought wo-
man dressed In the costume OF 4
Spanish queen to the ballroom. and
were looking for other passengers,
when q man wearing black domino
and black mask reckoning to them
called. Halo. there, are you en-
gaged7"
No, sah." replied John, doHing
his hat politely. I'VE are at your
sarvice, sah."
e! wish you to go at once for a
lady. Here Is your pay"
"All right. sab. Whar's your lady,
sah?"
You see from here the gate OF
the old cemetery. Drive there. The
lady will come out and step silently
Into the cab. Bring her here. Do
you understand"
Very we'll. sah."
The hackmen drove rapidly TO the
gates OF the cemetery. The man In
black assembled the steps OF the opera
house, stopped before the main en-
trance. and half hidden behind n
column watched the receding vehicle.
AS soon as the cab arrived ut the
cemetery 1t stopped. and Peter.
alighting, opened the door. The
moon was shining brightly. Both
drivers looked down the path by the
low stone wall, and to the left into
a narrow lane near the church, but
no one was visible. Then John
glanced through the gateway into
the moonlit cemetery.
Look! there she is" he whisp-
cred to his partner.
Before costly and magnificent
monument not far from the en-
trance. stood woman dressed In
black and wearing black mask.
At that moment she turned. walked
slowly toward the gate and entered
the vehicle.
The affair began to seem myster-
ious to the drivers, although during
their years OF business experience
they had become accustomed to near
ly all kinds OF adventures. Peter
quickly remounted the cab and they
drove from the cemetery to the OPP
era house, where the woman silently
alighted.
The man In black, who evidently
had been waiting their arrival. came
from beneath the shadow OF the col
umn.
II engage You for two hours. he
said to the drivers. Here is your
pay: is 1t sufticient?'
DO we 60 for another passenger.
sah?"
mo. remain here until this wo-
man returns and enters the cab.
which she will do shortly after mid
night. You can then drive to the
place where you found her"
ITO the cemetery? All right, sab. ="
And hold your tongues about 1t. :"
I'VE know our business and fol-
low orders. sah."
The masked man took the arm OF
the mysterious woman, and both en-
tered the ballroom.
THAT'S queer" said Peter. WHO
ever heard OF a woman coming right
straight from the graveyard to a
bali? Hack-drivers see strange
things"
"Nonense when yo think little
It's not SO queer" replied the other.
Much stranger things happen. The
valet OF rich man who travelled
about with his master told me that
In some burying-grounds ghosts rise
and the dead walk
"Pshaw! You tell big stories: but
i saw a spirit once" and forthwith
the two drivers launched into 4
serieE Of ghostly recitals. returning
finally to the tale Of the valet.
The man who told me sworo that
It was So" finally exclaimed John.