St. Tammany farmer., 1922-09-16


with fierceness beyond reason. More
famous buildings had been allowed to
go to ruin, like the Hotel Royale, but
the opera house had been kept In re-
pair for Mardi Gras. It was itself
landmark. Nothing else would ever
be like it.
From his seat In the Lavergne box
Gramont contented himself during the
early evening with the common role
OF oil 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 Lucie during the
evening.
While in search Of smoking compan-
ions, Gramont encountered many OF
his acQuaintances, and among them
Doctor Ansley and Jachin 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 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 member of the Krewe Of
sComus. He was also, 1t became evi-
dent, giving a share Of his allegiance
to Bacchus, for his feet were obviously
unsteady. He was clad in parti-
colored costume. Which was crowned
BY an exaggerated head Of Mephisto.
. .sWontlerin, who i am, aren't you'll"
he htccnped.. "Well, don't wonder
sail between ol friends tonight. Tell
you what, IN friends-come with me
and I'll find you a lii drink, eh? Real
old Boone pinchneck-got it from some
boys In Louisville, been savin' it up for
tonight
He wagged his head at them, and
pursued his subject in half-maudlin
burst Of confidential assurance. y
"Havin' 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 it for you.
Come on, Gramont, that's Il good fell
low! You'n I had a disagreement to-
day-don't matter tonight, nothin'
matters tonight, nothin' at all. Mardi
Gras only comes once a year, ehf
Come along, now" =
Jachin 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. -z
mo 'toyment in you, any more7 Bet
ter come along. Tell you, I've got the
biggest joke of the season ready to
pull off-something rich! Gramont,
come on!''
Thanks, no." responded Gramont
curtly.
The masquer gave up the struggle
and moved on down the empty hall
way.
II wonder who that was, now7'
mused Doctor Ansley, frowning. "tEvi-
IDENTIFY someone who knew US; at least,
he recognized you, Gramont."
$50 it seemed;' put It Jachtn Fell.
His tone, like his eyes, had somber
fire: "A party Of them drinking, eh1
That will make trouble. The Krewe
won't like it. Who was he, Gramont7
Sounded like
''Young Mai1lard." At Gramont's
response whistle broke from Doctor
Ansley. Jachin Fell nodded assent.
You took the words out of my
mouth. So Bob is drinking again, eh1
Hello, Gramont-where tor
the open window.
II think TIL make my adieux, Fell. I
intend to be up early In the morning
and get off to work."
'What?" 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 YETI
I'm growing old and sober, DOCTOR"
and Gramont ehuckled 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, Gra-
mont sought out his hosts and made
his farewells, although not without
encountering some opposition. At
length he was free, he had obtained
his hat and coat, end as he passed out
of the building he again met Fell and
Ansley, who were finishing their ci-.
gars at the entrance He bade them a
final adieu and plunged into the crowd.
It lacked half an hour OF midnight.
For 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 Mall
lard, looking extremely agitated, and
behind him old Judge Forester, who