Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-10-01
statue of humiliation and chagrin.

yond him. where the path deDouched
from the shadow of the frs and
spruces, the road was made dazzling
by the shimmering moonlight. He was
in something of predicament.
To remain where he was meant to
court death in the unpleasant form of
pneumonia. To make dash for it
meant death in far more unpleasant
guise of ridicule
To slip in unnoticed was practically
impossible. especially as he had not
the slightest acquaintance with the
rear of the hotel where an entrance
must be effected.
The sound of nearby feminine laugh
ter startled the Inundated author into
activity, and he scuttled into the near
est thicket like a frightened rabbit.
From this coign of vantage he eau
tiously peered out.
The laughter had emanated from a
group of persons who were walking
along the road leading to the hotel.
But what a peculiar assortment of
clothes.
One was arrayed in the costume of
colonial days, sword and all; another
had apparently deserted the fall round
up without discarding the sheepskin
chaps and sombrero before coming to
town; several were hidden in the volu-
minous folds of nightgown affairs Of
various colors, and all wore masks.
Stotesworthy gazed in fascinated
amazement. There were other ridicu-
lous costumes than his own abroad
that evening, and for moment he felt
little easier. And then light dawn
ed upon him, and he groaned aloud.
The last dance of the season-the
masquerade!
That's what it was. He had forgot
ten all about it, And it would be =
o'clock in the morning before the fools
would think of such thing as sleep;
hence the groan.
Silently and stealthily, though not
quite so incOnspicuOus as an Indian
stalking his quarry, Stotesworthy St.
John alternately crept and dashed to-
ward the unsuspecting Cragside Hall.
He took advantage of every bush
and bowlder in a manner that would
have been credit to boy scout, and
at last he paused for breath in the
very shadow of the hotel
Cautiously he peered around the
corner and found that he was looking
into what was Enthusiastically the clothes
drying yard of the establishment,
A sudden inspiration descended upon
the author, and, not stopping to con-
slider the effect his sudden appearance
might have upon the laundress, he
made a dash for the first sheet which
met his eye.
AS luck would have it the maids
back was turned, and she did not see
Stotesworthy until. with his rOtund
form partially hidden by the damp
sheet, he passed her on the way to an
open door which. he had shrewdly
guessed, opened into the laundry.
"Oh, heavens" he heard her whim
per as she sank upon the pile of linen
in the basket at her feet and hid hel
face in her hands. 81 seen it again
Somebody's goin' to die, know
By sheer luck Stotesworthy, stun
bling blindly about in the darkness OF
the hotel basement. came across stair
way unused since the addition to Crag
side Hall was built two seasons before
He mounted to the door at the tor
and cautiously turned the handle; il
was unlocked He opened the door &
crack and peered into a small apart
ment which he did not remember OF
ever having seen.
A young man, whom Stotesworthy
recognized as one Familiarity called
Tommy by the younger feminine guest,
of the hotel was the only person with
in his range of vision.
King Solomon in all his glory was
never arrayed like Tommy. A dandy
of the court of Louis XIV, or probably
Louis himself, he appeared to be as he
stood by an open window anachro
nistically inhaling an Egyptian ciga
rette.
1t was wonder that Stotesworth,
recognized him at all, notwithstanding
he had laid aside his mask. so be
wigged and beruffled was he.
"Psst" Stotesworthy Kissed "Psst
Tommy
Tommy turned and stared curiousl,
at the door whence the sound seemed
to come.
what is it," he asked. what dc
you want?"
Are you alone?' came in a guard
ed whisper What room is this, any
way?"
yes, I'm alone" Tommy answered
land this is a sort of cloak or ante
room; used to be the old Office. guess
1t opens into the ballroom. What,
up?"
Can | get upstairs from hereT
Stotesworthy inquired in the same
hoarse whisper "Get me upstairs with
out any one seeing meT'
II don't know" the courtier of Loui,
XIV. replied. NO. | don't believe yo,
can. Why"
"This is why" Stotesworthy exclaim
ed tragically and stepped into the
room
"What-oh, you've lost your mask
Is that it?" Tommy replied.
"Geer' he burst forth as ne took II
the authors fantastic costume. "What
Won I.iounI IN tp raprncant any.