The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-10-13

q be like il.
: From his seat In the Lavergne DO,
: 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 out, among 9TH
ers OF the fair sex, as a 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 Lucle 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 a
window and stood watching the crowd
that surged in the street below, con.
stantly increasing as the hour grew
later, for the procession OF Rex would
be well worth seeing and nobody
meant to miss anything upon this
night of nights.
Suddenly, at the sound Of an ap-
preaching footstep, the three men
turned. The electric lights were going
in all of the Railways, and they per-
ceived that the individual approaching
them was a member Of the Krewe of
Comus. He was also, It became evil
dent, giving a share of his allegiance
to Bacchus, for his feet were obviously
unsteady. He was clad In a parti-
c0lored costume, which was crowned
by an exaggerated head of Mephisto.
"Wonderin' who l am, aren't you !"
he hiccuped. well, don't wonder;
sail between oil friends tonight. Tell
you what, m friends-come with me
and I'll find you a LII drink, eh? Real
old Boone pinchneck-got 1t from some
boys in Louisville, been savin' II up for
tonight"
He wagged his head at them. and
pursued his subject in a half-maudlin
burst Of confidential assurance.
"Havin' a little party In one Of the
rooms" he continued. "All OF us
lAltlQS-lOlS mOlt lun liun udItln : 1
And sayl I'm going pull something
great, positively great; you don't
a to miss it, gentlemen You come
along with me and I'll fix 1t for you
Come on, Gramont, that's a good fell
low You'n l had a disagreement to-
day-don't matter tonight, nothin'
matters tonight, nothin' at all. Mardi
Gras only comes once a year, Ell?
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 vlnous regret.
mo 'joyment in you. any more? Bet
ter come along. Tell you, I've got the
biggest joke Of the season ready 20
pull of-something rich Gramont,
on I"
Thanks, no." responded Gramont
The masquer gave up the struggle
and moved on down the empty hall.
way.
IL wonder who that was, nowT"
nused Doctor Ansley, frowning. "Eyi-
lently someone who knew US at least,
recognized you, Gramont."
$50 1t seemed" put 1t joachim Fell.
lis tone, like his eyes. had a somber
Ire. "A party of them drinking, ehf
That will make trouble. The Krewe
eon't like it. Who was he, Gramont7
like"
young Maillard." At Gramont's
a whistle broke from Doctor
joachim Fell nodded assent.
"You tool the words out Of my
iouth. SO Bob Is drinking again, Ell?
[ello, Gramont-where tor
Gramont tossed his cigar through
he open window.
81 think I'll make my adieux, Fell. l
itend to be up early in the morning
nd get off to work"
"Whatf" protested AnsIey in aston
"You must stay until Rex
,mes, at least Why, that's the event
the carnival The evening hasn't
arted yet"
"Tm growing old and sober, doctor,'
Id Gramont chuckled. whats more,
was drifting with the crowds all aft
noon, and I've just begun to realize
at I'm dead tired. Rex or no Rex.
n afraid I'd best say goodnight,
'ntlemen."
Returning to the auditorium, Ora
ont sought out his hosts and made
s farewells, although not without
countering some opposition. At
lgth he was free, he had obtained
5 hat and coat, and as he passed out
the building he again met Fell aSd
lsley, who were finishing their ci-
RS at the entrance. He babe them a
al adieu and plunged into the crowd.
It lacked half an hour of midnight.
r a little, Fell and Doctor Ansley
'od talking, then tossed away their
.ars and turned into the building.
They halted in the foyer before the
pearance of two ~men-Joseph Mail
looking extremely agitated, and
lind him old Judge Forester, who
re a distinctly worried ex6s esslop