The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1912-05-11
The Bal Maadua.

IL LIEN 4hOoIc uhu L tht
M French embassy that night
wv my own valet could not have
| distinguished which was the
aid and which the archduke. BY some
means, which l did not bother to in
Quire, Moore had secured two suits of
/ black velvet Of the time Of the thir-
teenth Louis, which were marvels in
fit and style. Even our swords were
similar-long. leather sheathed rapiers
with dead gold hits.
Under my doublet l laced the steel
vest Bernheim brought me. 1t and one
other were made by famous Milan
armOrer 300 years ago, Bernheim said.
and the two had been in his family ever
since. And, so far as he knew, there
were no others like them in all Europe,
not even in the museums. 1t was
wonderful piece of work truly. The
links were small and yielding and 80
cunningly joined that 1t was as pliable
as knitted wool and much less bulky.
Indeed. when rolled into a ball 1t was
no bigger than mans fist 1t looked
quite too flimsy to afford any protec-
ton. yet when saw it proof against n
bullet fired from Il revolver and also
turn repeated sword thrusts l was per-
force convinced.
AS every one came masked, admis-
sion was. of course. only by card, after
which all were conducted singly to Il
small room where the mask was re-
moved and Identification satisfactorily
established by the ambassadors secre-
tary.
The house was one Of the largest In
the capital, standing in Il park Of its
own on the edge of the inner town.
The grounds were the main attractions
They covered twenty acres and were
maintained exactly as originally laid
out by II famous Italian landscape art.
list, with immense trees and huge
hedges and narrow walks and wonder
full vistas.
The Marquise de Vicrle welcomed her
guests alone in one Of the small recep-
ton rooms, every one entering singly
and unmaSking. She herself being rs
yet in ordinary evening dress. She was
very handsome woman, much young
er than the marquis and of the very
oldest French aristocracy, Il grande
dame in bearing as well as in birth.
Your royal highness does MS great
honor" she said as bowed over her
hand.
answered her lii suit, and we toss
ed<thc usual number of compliments
back and forth.
"Whom shall we bid join you at
supper" she asked
My dear marquise," | protested.
"you have your personal party Sc
lected- doubtless invited, and my I'M
expected comihG9 must not break your
arrangements"
But she declined to excuse me-
"Who attends you tonight?" she
asked.
"AIy aid, Colonel Moore"
Suppose, then, we make it a party
Of eight and ask Lady Helen, the
Countess de Relde. Mile. d'Essolde and
the American ambassador"
"Charming" l exclaimed, Charm
ingw
And what hour will your highness
be served?" she asked.
AT whatever hour Nine. Ia Mar
quise fixes"
Say, l o'clock, then, in the blue
breakfast room. 1t Is quiet and re-
tired"
bowed again over her hand and
was withdrawing, when the marquise
stopped me.
would not your highness like to
know some of the masques?" she ask
ed.
Every much, indeed" said l.
"Then you will find n chair in the
recess behind the curtains, yonder-
and. when you are tired, there Is a
door, which slides without noise. open
ing into a private corridor leading to
, the garden"
laughed. "And I may have Colo
mel Moore with me? There will be
many faces | shall not know"
, "IIe Is without?' she asked
"Yes-and costumed somewhat like
myself"
; She touched bell. / held up my
mask.
admit the gentleman in black vel
vet, like monsieur she ordered.
From the recess we could see all that
entered and hear every word said
! must admit l rather enjoyed the ex
perience-though l very rarely guessed
the face behind the mask.
) Suddenly the marquis entered hur
riedly.
"Do you know, Claire" he said. "tha,
the American archduke Is here to
. nightY'
Instantly laid my hand on the slid
! ing door. 1t was time for us to be go
: ing. And the door refused to move.
! looked ut Moore. who shrugged his
shoulders. ! could imagine the smile