The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-01-03
A MATCH
FOR SATAN
By MARTHA v. MONROE

er, both at the same time casting
glances at Marguerite.
"That girl will lose her heart" said
a guest representing Rob Roy to an
other dressed as Martha Washington.
1.-THE fellow got up as Faust is lady
Killer
"And l 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 to go for Faust. I'll tell Faust
to go for her. I'll bet you dozen pairs
of gloves against a box of cigars that
| win"
The bet was made, though it was ex-
pected that it would result in draw.
for it was not likely that a definite re-
suit could be obtained. Faust naturally
gravitatcd toward Marguerite, and the
two disappeared in an unfrequented
part of the house, where occasional
passers saw them sitting tete-a-tete,
unmasked. They seemed very much
absorbed in each other.
Faust left Marguerite to keep an en-
gagement to dance-he had broken two
engagements for Marguerite, but the
woman with whom he had the third
came for him-and Mephistopheles
Joined her. When Faust finished his
dance he came back to continue the
tete-a-tete and, finding MephistopheleS
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 cha, 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
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-
Sidered her q 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 to
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 to
Marguerite than does his prototype In
the poem or i'm Gounod's famous opera.
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 and eXcitedly
whispered something in his ear. The
man calling another, the two hurried
" left the ballroom in company with
Marguerite. AS soon as they were out
Of sight and hearing of the dancers she
said to them hurriedly:
"Those two men are going to kill
each other!
'The devilw exclaimed one of the
men.
Eyes. the devil and Faust-Mr. Bur
net and DR.. Wells"
what for?"
"Well, 1 suppose it's about me. 60
quick! Stop them!'
(Which way did they go?'
"They're out on the tennis court"
The two men ran out through back
door. 1t was just light enough to see
two dim figures on the tennis court
hacking at 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 Mephistopheles
led in like two naughty schoolboys
there was a shout Of laughter Mar
guerite made for door, but she was
caught and brought back.
Even the absurdity Of the situation
did not prevent the rivals from scoWl-
ing at each other, and Mephistopheles
was unconsciously playing the part OF
Satan to perfection.
"Hello, Jimv said one of his chums.
when did you come up from bel0wF
Jim cast malevolent glance at the
speaker, but made no reply
Kate" said the lady who had made
the hit, 81 knew you were match Tor
any man, but I didn't think you were
superior to Satan"
"Come to the supper ROOM! crieG
the man who had lost the gloves
"I've a toast for you ALL
The rivals and the girl they haG
fought for were pushed into the supper
room, fresh champagne was opened.
and this was the toast given:
"To the only girl that ever lived who
has been too much for the devil"