The Monticellonian., 1915-09-16

this night might have been if Ken nedy had been alive Indeed, l was glad to take up my white mask, throw a long coat over my outlandish cos tune and hurry of in my waiting ear in order to forget everything that re minded me of him in the apartment.
 Already a continuous stream Of guests was trickling in from carriages at the curb to the Dodge door. while gap ing crowd surrounded the canopy on the sidewalk.
 As I entered the ballroom it was really a brilliant ard picturesque as semblage. Of course I recognized Elaine in spite of her mask. almost i immediately.
 Enthusiastically. she was talking 10 the one most striking figure on the | floor. tall man in red-a veritable Mephistopheles As the music started, Elaine and his Satanic majesty laugh ingly fox-trotted off. 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 monopolize all my attention. As We trotted past the nings was still admitting late arrivals and l caught a glimpse of one cos tuned as gray friar, his eewl over his head and his eyes masked.
 Chatting, We had circled about to the conservatory A number of cou- ples were there and. through the palms. l saw Elaine and Mephisto laughingly make their way.
 As my spotted domino partner and 1 swung around again. happened to catch another glimpse of the gray friar. He was not dancing. but walk ing. or rather stalking. about the edge of the room. gazing about as if 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 Eel Mar.
 T hope you don't think I'm here in character" he laughed easily. as she started a bit
 'I-I-well. I didn't think it was you she blurted out
 "Ah-then there is someone else you care more to dance with?"
 ''No-no one-no."
 'I 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.
 "No-no Please-excuse me-. she murmured rising and hurrying back to the ballroom.
 A subtle smile spread over the gray friar's masked face.
 Of course had known Elaine Whether she knew me at once I don't know or whether it was an accident, but she approached me as I paused in the dance a moment with my domino girl.
 From the-sublime-to the ridieu- lous," she cried exeitedly.
 My partner gave her sharp glance You will excuse me-" she said, and as I bowed, almost ran off to the con- servatory. leaving Elaine to dance off 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 the little action and he quietly slipped out after the Mexican bolero.
 Just then the domino girl hurried into the conservatory. Whats do- ing?' she asked eagerly.
 Keep close 10 me-" whispered Del Mar. as she ~edded and they left the conservatory aot apparently in com pany.
 Upstairs, away from the gayety of the ballroom, the bolero made his way until he came to Elaines room, dimly lighted With a quick glance about. he entered cautiously. closed the door and approached 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 out curious lit tie instrument. Inside was a dry bat tery and most peculiar instrument, something like a little fiat telephone transmtter, yet attached by wirNs to ear pieces that fitted over the head after the manner of those of a wire less detector.
 He adjusted the headpieee and held the flat instrument against the safe, close to the combination which he be- gan to turn slowly It was bur glars microphone. used for picking
  cisco Argonaut remarks. The towel