The Yale expositor., 1922-11-09

pair for Mardi Gras. II was Itself
a landmark. Nothing else would ever
be like IT,
GramOnt cOntented himself during the
early evening with the common role
of all the "blackcoats"- that of look.
ing on idly. More than once he saw
Lucie Ledanois called ont. among 9th.
ers of the fair sex, as dancing part
ner for some member of the Krewe.
None Of the male guests, however, was
allowed to participate In the festivity
until Rex and his queen should ar.
rive-at midnight; thus, GramOnt saw
almost nothing of Luc'e during the
evening.
While In search Of smoking cOmpan-
ions, Gramont encountered many OF
his acquaintance, and among them
Doctor Ansley and joachim Fell. The
three strolled off together into one OF
the unused passages leading TO other
parts Of the building. They opened q
window and stood watching the crows
that surged in :he street below, con-
stantly increasing as the hour grew
later, for the procession IL Rex would
be well worth seeing aid nobody
meant to miss anything upon this
night of nights.
Suddenly, at the sound Of an APP
preaching footstep, the three men
turned. The electric lights were going
in all of the Railways, and the- per.
ceived that the individual approaching
them was a member of the Krewe Of
| Comus He was also. II became eVt
| dent. giving a share of his allegiance
TO. Bacchus, for his feet we're obviously
unsteady. He was clad in a parti.
colored costume, which was crowned
by an exaggerated head of Mephisto.
"Wonderin' who l am, aren't your
he hiccuped. "Well, don't wonder;
sail between OF friends tonight. Tell
you what, m friends-come with me
and I'll find you a III drink, eh? Real
old Boone pinchneck-got 1t from some
boys In Louisville, been savin' 1t up for
| tonight"
He wagged his head at them, and
pursued his subject In a half-maudlip
burst of confidential assurance.
"Havin' a little party in one of the
rooms" he continued. "All OF us
| friends-lots more fun than dancin'
And say! I'm going pull something
great, positively great; you don't
want to miss II, gentlemen! You come
along with me and I'll fix II for you
| Come on, GramOnt, that's a good fel
low YOu'n | had a disagreement to
day-don't matter tonight. nothin
matters tonight, nothin at all. Mardi
! Gras only comes once a year, chi
Come along, now"
joachim Fell very civilly refused the
! invitation, as did the others. GramOnt
who now recognized their accoster
was less civil in his refusal. Mephisto
regarded them with vinous regret.
mo 'jOyment in you, any more? Bet
ter come along. Tell you, I've got the
biggest joke of the season ready to
pull off-something rich! GramOnt
come ont"
Thanks. no." responded Gramont
CURLY.
The masquer gave up the struggle
and moved on down the empty hah
way.
81 wonder who that was, now"
unused Doctor Ansley, frowning. "Evt
IDENTIFY someone who knew us; at least
he recognized you, Gramont."
$50 II seemed" put 1t Jachin Fell
His tone, like his eyes, had somber
fire. "a party of them drinking, chi
That will make trouble. The Krewe
won't like it, Who was he. GramOnti
| Sounded like"
young Maillard." At Gramont's
response a whistle broke from Doctor
Ansley. joachim Fell nodded assent.
"You took the words out of my
mouth. So Bob is drinking again, chi
Hello, Gramont-where TOT"
Gramont tossed his cigar through
the open window.
81 think I'll make my adieux. Fell.
intend to be up early in the morning
and get off to work"
"WhatT protested Ansley In aston.
ishment. you must stay until Rex
comes, at least! Why, that's the event
Of the carnival The evening hasn't
started YET.
I'm growing old and sober, doctor"
and Gramont chuckled whats more,
was drifting with the crowds all aft
ernoon, and I've just begun to realize
that I'm dead tired. Rex or no Rex,
I'm afraid I'd best say goodnight,
gentlemen"
Returning to the auditorium, Ora.
mont sought out his hosts and made
his farewells. although not without
encountering some opposition. AZ
length he was free. he had obtained
his hat and coat. and as he passed out
Of the building he again met Fell and
Ansley, who we're finishing their CT
CARS at the entrance. He bade them q
final adieu and plunged into the crowd.
II lacked half an hour of midnight
For a little, Fell and Doctor Ansley
stood talking then tossed away their
cigars and turned into the building.
They halted in the foyer before the
appearance of two men-JOseph Mail.
lard, looking extremely agitated. and
IT., oId T,,dOo Toractor ,x,h.