Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1913-01-01

parts
Stuart noted with some establishment
the peculiar somber effects of the bail
room. He had expected scene OF
splendor. Instead the impression was
distinctly funereai. The lights were
dimmed like the interior OF 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 Il univer-
sal gable which made it impossible
for anything save pantonime to be in;
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
haS st nd ~ OF ,i<rhf iv. #
the slender little singer. She saw him
at once. smiled and sang rs he had
never heard her sing. 10 his further
surprise Stuart saw the doctor stand
ing in the shadows ut the corner of the
stage looking over the gossiping. noisy
crowd with look Of anger and horror
When the last note Of the song died
away. quivering with supernatural
tenderness and passion. he brushed q
tear from his eyes. lifted his hands
high above his head and made mo
tion which. said to her, '"Tumultuous
applause"
She nodded and smiled, and be rush.
ed behind the scenes to ask an expla.
nation.
He grasped both her hands and
found them cold and trembling with
excitement.
"What on earth does this mean?"
Simply that l 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 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"
| 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.
I u.
II came with Harriet. of course Her
music teacher placed her on the pro-
gram. But Mr.. Bivens and l 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 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 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"
II am twenty -four, you know" she
said, simply.
Il have never believed It until to-
night. | wouldn't have known you al
first but for your voice. l 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 grinnine
row of teeth. Suddenly two white
figures drew aside the heavy curtains
In the archway and the dancers
marched into the somber room. j.:
The men were dressed as shrouded
skeletons and the women as worms
The men wore light flimsy gray robes
: on which skillful artists had painted
on four. sides in deep colors the pic
lures Of human skeletons.