Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-07-17

GU. 1 COuiu not rep thinking Vi VIA
this night might have been II Ken
nedy had been alive. Indeed. ! was
glad 10 take up my white mask. throw
a long coat over my ~outlandish cos
tune and hurry of in my waiting car
In order TO forget everything that re-
minded me of him in the apartment.
Already a continuous stream of guests
was trucking in from carriages at the
curb TO the Dodge door. while q gap
ing crowd surrounded the canopy Oh
the sidewalk.
As ] entered the ballroom II was
really a brilliant and picturesque as
semblage. or course ! recognized
Elaine in spite OF her mask. almost
Immediately.
Enthusiastically, she was talking
to the n most striking figure on the
floor. a tall man In red-a veritable
Mephistopheles. AS the music started.
Elaine and his Satanic majesty laugh
ingly fox-trotted OF. but were not lost
TO me in the throng.
] soon found myself talking TO a
young lady In spotted domino. She
seemed TO have a peculiar fascination
for me. yet she did not m~onopolize all
my attention. AS We trotted past the
door. | could see down the hall. Jen-
nings was still admitting late arrivals.
and | caught a glimpse o: one cos
tuned as a gray friar, his cowl over
his head and his yes masked.
Chatting. we had circled about to
the conservatory. A number OF cou-
plies were there and. through the
palms. | saw Elaine and Mephisto
~laughingly make their way.
As my spotted domino partner and
swung around again. | happened TO
catch another glimpse Of the gray
friar. lie was not dancing, but walk
ing. or rather stalking. about the edge
OF the room. gazing about as IL search
ing for someone.
In the conservatory. Elaine and Me-
phisto had seated themselves in the
breeze OF an open window. somewhat
in the shadow.
You are Miss Dodge" he said ear
nestly.
you knew me?" she laughed. And
you?"
He raised his mask. disclosing the
handsome face and fascinating eyes OF
Del Mar.
II hope you don't think I'm here In
character" he laughed easily. az she
started a bit
"I-I-well. | didn't think 1t was
you. she blurted out.
Anthem there is someone else
you care more to dance WITH"
Mono one-no."
Il may hope. them"
He had moved closer and almost
touched her hand. The pointed hood
of the gray friar in the palms showed
that at last he saw what he sought.
Mono. Please-excuse me-" she
murmured rising and hurrying back
to the ballroom.
A subtle smile spread over the
gray friars masked face.
or course ! had known Elaine.
Whether she knew me at once ! don't
know or whether II was an accident.
but she approached me as | paused in
the dance a moment with my domino
girl.
From the-sublime-to the ridicu-
lous." she cried excitedly.
My partner gave her a sharp glance.
You will excuse me?" she said. and.
as ! bowed. almost ran on to the con
%servatory. leaving Elaine to dance on
with me.
Del Mar. quite surprised at the sud.
den flight OF Elaine from his side. fol.
lowed more slowly through the palms.
As he did so he passed a Mexican
attired In brilliant native costume. AT
a sign from Del Mar he paused and
received a small package which Del
Mar slipped to him. then passed on as
though nothing had happened. The
keen eyes OF the gray friar, however.
had caught he little action and he
quietly slipped out after the Mexican
bolero.
Just then the domino girl hurried
into the conservatory What's do
ing?' she asked eagerly.
Keep close to me-" whispered Del
Mar. as she nodded and they left the
conservatory. not apparently in com
pany.
Upstairs. away from the gayety OF
the ballroom. the bolero made his
way until he came to Elaine's room.
dimly lighted. With a quick glance
about, he entered cautiously. closed
the door. II approached a closet
which he opened. There was a safe
built into the wall.
As he stopped over, the man un.
wrapped the package Del Mar had
handed him and took put a curious lit
tie instrument. Inside was a dry bat
terry and a most peculiar instrument.
something like a little fiat telephone
transmitter. yet attached by wires to
ear pieces that fitted owe the head
after the manner OF those Of a wire
less detector.
He adjusted the h~eadpiece and held
the fiat instrument against the safe,
close to the combination which he be-
gan to turn slowly. II was a bur-