Evening star., 1928-03-27

excited such a sensation. In truth. the
masquerade license OF the night was
nearly unlimited. But the figure had
gone even beyond the bounds Of the
princes wide rules. Even 10 the lost
there are matters Of which no Jest can
be made.
The figure was tall and gaunt. and
! shrouded from head TO foot in the ha-
biliments OF the grave. The mask which
concealed the face was made so nearly
to resemble the countenance OF a stiff
ened corpse that the closest scrutiny
must have had difficulty in detecting
the cheat But the hummer had gone
so far as 10 assume the type Of the Red
Death His vesture was dabbled in
blood-and his broad brow. with all the
features Of the face, was besprinkled
with the scarlet horror.
When the eyes of the Prince Prosper0
fell upon this spectral image. he was
seen 70 be convulscd in tho first moment
with strong shudder either Of terror
or distaste. but in the next his brow
reddened with rage
Who dares?" he demanded hoarsely
Of the courtiers who stood near him
who dares Insult us with this mockerv?
Seize him and unmask him. that We
may know whom we have to hang at
sunrise from the bsttlementsl"
II was in the eastern chamber In
which the prince stood as he uttered
these words. At first, as he spoke. there
was slight rushing movement OF this
group in the direction Of the intruder.
who at the moment was also near at
hand. and now. with a deliberate and
stately step made closer approach 10 the
speaker. But, from a certain nameless
awe with which the mad assumptions
OF the hummer had inspired the whole
party. there were found none who out
forth hand 10 seize him. so that uniu-
peded he passed within a yard Of the
princes person. and while the vast as
Sembly, as II with one Impulse. shrank
from the centers Of the rooms to the
walls. he made his way uninterruptedly
but pith the same solemn and measured
step which had distinguished him from
the first. through the blue chamber 10
the purple and thence 10 the sixth or
rioiet chamber ere a decided movement
mad Oeen made 10 stop him
u was then. however. that Prince
Prospero madoenlng with rage and the
rhsme of MS own noncntary cowardice.
rufhed hIrriedly through the SIX cham
bers. while none followed him on ac-
count II deadly terror that had seized
upon all He bore aloft drawn dagger.
and had approached tn rapid impctu-
cs1tr - within three or four feet Of
me reiTeating figure, when the latter
having attained the extremity Of the
fjoiet apartment, turned suddenly and
confronted hia pursuer
There W2s q sharp cTy--and the dag
ger oroppeo cleaning upon the sable
carpet upon which, instantly afterWard
fell PROSTATE IN death the Prince PROF.
pfro. Then, sJmmoning the Wild cour-
age " despair. z Jhroug Of the reyelers
~ once threw themselves into The blacE
apartment and selling the hummer
tpoe tall ngufe stood erect and mo-
tjDHleas within the shadow of the ebony
c.ock gaSpcG IN uuulteTable haTfOr at
ilHoln2 tie grave eeTementf and corpse
like nask which they handled Win 80
VIOLENT o Fuocueas. uuLcuauted by any
tangible form
And n0N Was Acknowledged the pres
ejIce u The TED Death he had cotne
Ike q thief Ia the night. and one bY
gfe dfOpDed the reVeiers IN the blood
Dade~eo halls of their feYel and died
eaen ~ lhe despaJflng posture ~ his
'aIt aud the Iltr ~ the ebony clock
vent out W3th That ~ the last of the
9zY and me flames ~ the brazlcfs n
the tripods expired and darkness and
decsy and the Red Death held iillmita
ne coulnlou over ali