The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-11-01

The splendor Of the rooms, the dazzling n.
ray of jewels, the kaleidoscopic eoaors. the
perfume Of the banked flowers, and the music
all combined to put Florence into Z pleas.
urable kind Of trance. And it was only whSu
the first waltz began that she became her
self and surrendered to the arms Of the man
she loved.
And they were Waiting over Z volcano,
She knew and he knsw it. From what direc-
ton would the blow come. Well, they were
prepared for all manner Of tricks.
In alcovs off the ballroom sat Brains
and Olga, both dressed exactly like Norton
and Florence. Another man and woman en-.
tered presently and Braine spoke to item
for a moment, rs il giving instructions. which
was indeed the case.
The band crashed Into another dance. ana
the masqueraders began swirling hither and
thither and yon. gay cavalier suddenly
stopped in front Of Florence.
Enchantress, may l have the pleasur. a
this dance?"
Jim touched Florences hand But she
turned laughingly toward the stranger. What
difference did 1t makel Tho man would never
know who she nor would she know him
1t was lark, that was al and despite Jim's
warning touch she was up and away like the
mischevous sprite that she was. Jim r.
manned in his chair, twisting his fingers and
wondering whether to laugh or grow angry
After all, he could not blame Ler. To him an
affair like this ancient story: to her
It was the door of fairyland swung OPEN Let
her enjoy herself.
Florence was having a splendid time Her
partner was asking ali sorts Of questions and
she replying in kind when out Of the
crowd came Norton fas she supposed. who
touched her arm The cavalier stopped.
bowed, and made off
Norton whispered IL have made an Inn
portant discovery We must be on at once.
Come with me-"
Florence. without tie least suspicion In the
world followed him up the broad staircase.
What with the many sounds 1t was not 10 BE-
wondered at that the difference in the quality
OF voices did not strike Florences ear ~ odd.
The result of her confidence was that upon
reaching the upper halls. opposite the dress.
ing rooms she was suddenly thrust into al
room and made prisoner. When tie light wasl
turned up she recognized with horror the
woman who had helped to kidnap her an.
take her away on the George Washington
weeks ago. She could not have cried ont fol
help If she had tried.
Meantime Jim got up and began to wac
der about in search OF Florence.
Braine played clever game that night. III
and the Russian. still dominoed like Norto1
and Florence, ordered the Hargreave auto, b. |
number, entered it and we're driven up to tbs }
porte cochere of the Hargrcave house. Th4
two aighted. the chauffeur sent the car To-
ward the garage. and Braine and his com
panion ran lightly down the path to ths
street where tie cab which had follows9
picked them up,
1t grew more and more evident n Jim thu
something untoward had taken place. III
could not find Florence anywhere. In the ~
coves, in the side rooms. the supper or cars
room. Later, to his utter amusement. he ~,
informed that the Harxreave anto had som|
time since been called and it's owner take
home Some one had taken his place.
His first sensation was impotant fur
against Jones, who had permitted tLsn
play with ere. He flung out Of the nansi1
unceremoniously, commandeered q cab, a
few out to Riverdale. And when Jones en-
to the door he Was staggering with sleep.
What's the matter with ycu?" dsnanda
Jim roughly. Where's Florence?"
Isnt she with your" criso Jones. makiT
m effort to dispel the drowsineaa "WM
time Il it?" suddenly.
Midnight Where 10 sLa1"
Midnight I've been drugysd!" wi0oe
4 word Jones staggered OF to the ktchsd
Jim at his heels.
There was always hot water. and With
five minutes Jones had drunk two cups
raw strong coffee.
Drugged. he murmured Some one
the house! I'll attend to that later. MOI
the chauffeur!
But the chauffeur swors on his oath that
had left Jim and Florence ON the steps Of \
porte cochere.
Get int" said Jones to Norton. now So
alive. He could not ct it out Of his he
that some one in the house had drusysd ~
The events which followed were to b
Jones and Norton something like series
nightmares. In the new homo OF the Prince
Parlova a bomb exploded and 6re follow
the explosion. From pleasure to terror
only a step. The widest confusion ind
Unable ensced Most Of the guests wsfs
the opinion that some anarchist had attempt
to blow up the house Of the rich Pole. Jo{
and Norton arrived just n the smoke bsl
to pour out from the windows. A crowd
ALREADY collected.
Then Jim overheard : woman masqusfa
say: :" The fool made tie bomb too Atrc
ch> l. 4. a. s.oos,a an fhA nnconA AnAa