The Southern herald., 1922-08-25

be like it.
From his seat in the Lavergne box
GramOnt cOntented himself during the
early evening with the common role
Of all the "blaCkcOats Of look
ing on idly. More than once he saw
Lucie LedanOis called out, 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 Lucle during the
evening.
While In search of smoking cOmpan-
ions. GramOnt encountered many Of
his acquaintance, and among them
Doctor Ansley and Jachln 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 we'll 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, 1t became evil
dent, giving share Of his allegiance
to Bacchus, for his feet were obviously
unsteady. He was clad In a parti-
cOlored costume, which was crowned
by an exaggerated head Of MephistO'
"WOnderin' who / am, aren't you II
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 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 half-maudlin
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 1t, gentlemen You come
along with me and I'll fix 1t for you
Come on, Gramont, that's a good fei
low! You'n | had a disagreement to
day-don't matter tonight, nOthin
matters tonight, nothln' at all. Mard
Gras only comes once year, eh'
Come along, now"
Jachin Fell very civilly refused thu
invitation, as did the others. Gramont
who now recognized their accoster
was less civil In his refusal. Mephlstt
regarded them with vinous regret.
"No 'joyment in you, any more? Bet
ter come along, Tell you, I've got thu
biggest joke Of the season ready Il
pull Off-something rich! Gramont
come on"
Thanks, no" responded Gramon
curtly.
The masquer gave up the struggl
and moved on down the empty hall
way.
81 wonder who that was, now?
mused Doctor Ansley, frOwnlng. "Evl
IDENTIFY someone who knew us; at least
he recognized you, Gramont"
$50 1t seemed" put it Jachin Eel
His tone, like his eyes, had a sombe
fire. "a party of them drinking, eh
That will make trouble. The Krew
won't like it. Who was he, Gramont
Sounded like"
"Young Malllard." At Gramont
response a whistle broke from DoctC
Ansley. Jachin Fell nodded assent.
"You took the words out Of m
mouth. SO Bob is drinking again, eh
Hello, GramOnt-where TOT"
Gramont tossed his cigar throug
the open window.
! ~ think I'll make my adleux, Fell.
! intend to be up early In the mornin
: and get off to work"
t "WhatT protested Ansley In asto
r ishment. "You must stay until Re
comes, at least Why, that's the evel
b Of the carnival! The evening hasn
: started yet"
e I'm growing old and sober, doctor
and Gramont chuckled. whats nor
( | was drifting with the crowds all al
e ernoon. and I've just begun to reall
d that I'm dead tired. Rex or no Re
r I'm afraid I'd best say gOOdnigf
l. gentlemen"
r Returning to the auditorium, Gr
n mont sought out his hosts and ma
It his farewells, although not witho
encountering some opposition.
e, length he was free, he had obtain
]. his hat and coat, and as he passed o
o of the building he again met Fell al
e Ansley, who were finishing their
ie gars at the entrance. He bade them
d fnal adleu and plunged into the crow
t. 1t lacked half an hour Of midnigl
1t For a little, Fell and Doctor Ansl
stood talking, then tossed away thu
e, cigars and turned into the building
te They halted in the foyer before t
of appearance of two men-Joseph Ma
o. lard, looking extremely agitated, a
1t behind him old Judge Forester, W
'e wore a distinctly worried expressi,
o, Cro BE CoNTINUEDJ