Cruel As The Grave

The stranger having divested himself of his upper garments then put on

this horrible dress. When he had finished his revolting toilet, even to

the drawing on of the skull-cap, he surveyed himself in the mirror that

reflected as ghastly a figure of "Death," as Milton, Danté, or even

Gustav Doré, ever conceived.

He laughed sardonically, as he exclaimed: "Ah ha! they will not expect 'Death' to be a guest at their ball!"

Then over this grim costume he threw a large travelling cloak, and upon

his head he placed a broad-brimmed black felt hat. And now, being all

ready, he prepared to leave the room.

First he put out the light, and then he cautiously unlocked the door,

and, secure from observation himself, he looked out to see if the coast

was clear.

The passage was dark, but soon he saw a door on the opposite side open,

and two young men come out in masquerade dresses, and hasten, laughing

and talking, down the stairs. They were evidently on their way to the

mask ball.

The next instant, the door on the same side with his own opened, and a

lady and gentleman, both in black dominoes and masks, came out and

passed down stairs.

"Good!" said the stranger to himself. "If I am met at all, I shall be

mistaken for one of the invited guests of the ball, and pass out without

being recognized." And so saying, he softly drew the key from the inside

of the lock, and closed and locked the door, and taking the key with

him, glided down the stairs and out of the house, and took the road to

Black Hall.