The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-09-28

can. by the way, you haven't seen
Bob? He's in costume, but he might
have spoken to yOu-"
Gramont answered in the negative,
with a slight surprise at the question.
1t was not long before he came to
comprehend more fully just what the
loss OF the old French Opera house
meant to the assembly. He heard com
PARSONS made OF every hand, regret
full illusions, signs for the days that
were no more.
was one Of the city'S finest, up to date
In every way, with an abundance Of
room-and yet everyone said that Co
mus would never be the same. About
the opera house had chung the romance
OF many generations. About It, too,
had chung the affections Of the people
with a ~fierceneSs beyond reason. More
famous buildings had been allowed to
go to ruin. like the Hotel ROyale, but
the opera house had beer kept in re
pair for Mardi Gras. 1t was Itself
a landmark. Nothing else would ever
be like Ii.
From his seat In the Lavergne box
GramOnt Contented himself during the
early evening with the common role
of ull 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 70 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 u~cquaiutanCes, and among them
Doctor AnSiey and joachim Fell. The
three stroIIed off together Into n 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
colored costume, which was crowned
by an exaggerated head Of Mephisto.
"Wonderin' who | am, aren't you ="
he hiccuped. "Well, don't wonder
sail between OF friends tonight. Tell
you what, m friends-come with me
n III find you a iii drink, Ell? Real
boys in Louisville, been savin' it 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
friends-lots more fun than dancin'
And say! I'm going pull something
great, positively great; you don't
want to miss it, gentlemen You come
along with me and I'll fix it for you.
Come on, Gramont, that's a good fell
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. eh?
Come along, now"
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 of-something rich, Gramont,
come on ~
Thanks, no." responded Gramont
CURLY.
The masquer gave up the struggle
and moved on down the empty hall
way.
Il wonder who hat was. now? ?"
unused Doctor Ansley, frowning. xvi.
IDENTIFY someone who knew us at least,
he recognized you. Gramont."
$50 ii seemed put 1t joachim Fell
His tone, like his eyes, had ii soInber
fire. "A party of them drinking. Ell!
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, ehi
Hello, Gramont-where too"
Gramont tossed his cigar through
the open window.
IL think I'll make my adieux, Fell. ]
intend to be up early in the morning
and get off to work"
"What?" protested Ansley in aston
ishment. you must stay until Re,
comes, at least, Why, that's the even
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