The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-04-18
A MATCH
FOR SATAN
By MARTHA ". MONROE

ohC HASul Ut Il lldS4ueTauc Dill tNO
persons appeared, man and "a woman.
who excited considerable interest. The
man represented Faust, the woman
Marguerite. Presently a third person
entered, representing Mephistopheles.
The interest was heightened by Me
phistopheles and Faust talking togeth-
er, both at the same time casting
glances at Marguerite.
That girl will lose her heart said
guest representing Rob Roy to an
other dressed as Martha Washington.
The fellow got up as Faust is lady
killer"
"And know the girl. said the other
IF Faust tackles her she'll make him
regret it,
I'll tell you what you do. Tell Mar
guerite 10 20 for Faust. III tell Faust
10 80 for her. I'll bet you Il dozen pairs
of gloves against box of cigars that
| win"
The bet WAS made. though ii was ex-
pected that 1t would result in draw.
for 1t was not likely that definite re
suit could be obtained. Faust naturally
gravitated toward Marguerite. and the
two disappeared in an unfrequented
part of the house. whore occasional
passers saw them sitting tcte-a-tete.
unmasked. They seemed very much
absorbed in each other.
Faust left Marguerite to keep an Ell
gagement to dance-he had broken two
engagements for Marguerite. but the
woman with whom he had the third
came for hm-and MephiStophelcs
Joined her. When Faust finished his
dance he came back to continue the
tete-a-tete and, finding Mephistophces
in his place scowled. Mephistopheles
scowled back Marguerite gave the
latter a nod indicating that she pre-
ferred the former. and Mephistopheles
went away sullen.
Later Marguerite danced with Me
phistopheles, while Faust was seen
standing apart. evidently In no good
humor Whenever the couple whirled
by Faust Mephistopheles gave one OF
those "ha, has'r' for which the devil is
famous. Faust involuntarily fingered
the Jewel hilted dagger In his belt
BY this time this version OF the poem
Of Faust" not intended by the author
began to attract the attention Of a
small coterie who were In the secret Of
the bet.
Those who knew Marguerite best
were OF the opinion that she would
plunge Faust down into the fiery fur.
mace without the slightest injury to
, herself, and there were those who con
. sidercd her a match for the devil.
It Is astonishing how man, when
made mad by woman. will forget that
| he is an Intelligent human being. And
, there are cases where no time Is re
quired to turn his head. BY common
consent Marguerite was left to her
| lover OF the poem and the party tC
> whom he had sold his soul. To all ap
+ pearances Faust seemed to be playing
his part well, but Mephistopheles was
, evidently paying more attention tc
} Marguerite than does his prototype In
the poem or I'm Gounod's famous opera
t Faust, instead OF being under Mephis
, topheles' influence. seemed to be an
tagonized by him.
1t was shortly before the first glim
mer OF dawn, when the dancers were
at their gayest. that Marguerite went
up to one OF the men ana excitedly
/ whispered something In his ear. The
: man calling another, the two hurried
ly left the ballroom In company with
= In IN \c N thav nuf
! OF sight and hearing Of the dancers she
said to them hurriedly:
Those two men are going to kill
each other
, "The devilr exclaimed one OF the
2 men
net and DIR. Wells"
What forf"
We'll suppose it's about me Go
quick. Stop them
(which way did they gof'
They're out ON the tennis court"
r The two men ran out through a back
. door Ii was just light enough to see
two dim figures on the tennis court
hacking Mt each other with the short
knives they had worn In their belts
during the evening The two men and
the girl ran to where they were. and
the combatants. seeing that they had
attracted attention. desisted One Of
those who had interfered took Faust
by the arm, and the other, a large,
powerful fellow. took Mephistopheles
by the ear and led them back to the
house and into the ballroom.
The dancing had ceased. and the
dancers were promenading or resting.
: On seeing Faust and Mephlstopheles
led In like two naughty schoolboys
! there was shout OF laughter. Mar
) guerite made for a door. but she was
caught and brought back.
Even the absurdity OF the situation
.rxrl