Show THE SERPENT SERPE AT THE BALL No Scene is so Gay at al the Russian t 1 Court That Does Doe Not Lurke J 1 JEver Ever Present Present For tho the grand balls at tho the court of Russia carloads of ot rare flowers from Nice orchids and Immense roses e came every week to decorate the big V houses thrown open and tho the tables c were loaded with delicacies from ev every e ev l cry ery corner of tho world An invitation Invitation tion to dine sent out at the opening a of the tho season frequently meant that one was expected ad every week upon tr the tho night Indicated ono one went if Ir one h could in an all easy cas familiar way and nUll al tho banquet was always spread says saysa a writer in Tho The Delineator Ono One knew that thal many man of these prodigal hosts and It hostesses wore were nearly bankrupt that b the peasants on their estates might bo he starving and that the humble nr were often not paid for al years sU But Bul even een In tho the midst of this vast ast display of wealth there Is a hideous coiled serpent ready to lo strike It is anarchy All AH the guests were wore gathered stand standing standing standIng ing in complete silence as ag the tho doors were thrown open for the entrance of the tho emperor and empress resa Just as asther they ther stepped across the threshold there was wm distinctly heard In the tho hushed leashed room a sharp unexpected It was only the electric elo light as an extra battery hatter was turn turned l lAm t I Am tim ln but hilt the emperor uttered a low lowY t Y and the empress a staggered and lt ned pale while a moment of or agon agone i of Iz tg fear held the roomful of or guests I o I 1 |