The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-21
g MlIlON EDIIAP MYSTfPY Mfmold Mac 1atlF7

VIM ldtlt
How strong you arei
The splendor Of the rooms. de- dasI1inR ~
ny Of jewels. tia kaleidoscopic colors. he
perfume Of the banked howers. and the music
al combined to put Florencs into ! pleas
urable Kind Of trance. And it vas only when
the first waits began that abe became hef~
self and surrendered TO the arms Of the man
shs loved.
And they were waltzing over . volcano.
81, knew and he knew 1t. From what direc-
ton would the blow comet Well. they were
prepared for an manner Of tricks.
In an alcove on 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 I moment, a. IL giving instructions. which
was indeed the case.
The band crashed into another dance, and
the masqueraders began swirlins hither and
thither and yon. A gay cavalier suddenly
stopped in front Of Florence.
Enchantress, may I have the pleasure Of
this dance7"
Jim touched F1orence's hand. But she
turned lauglingly toward the stranger. What
difference did it make? The man would never
know who she was would she know him.
It was . lark, that was all and despite Jim's
warning touch she was up and away like the
misckievous sprite that she was. Jim re
manned in his chair, twisting his fingers and
wondering whether to laugh or grow angry.
After all, he could not blame her. To him an
affair like this was an ancient story; to her
it was the door Of fairyland swung open. Let
her enjoy herself.
Florence was having splendid Time Her
partner was asking all sorts Of questions and
she was replying in kind, when out Of the
crowd came Norton (as she supposedly, who
touched her arm. The cavalier stopped,
bowed, and made OF.
Norton whispered: II have made an inn
portant discovery. We must be on at once.
Come with me-"
world, followed him up the broad staircase.
What with the many sounds it was not to be
wondered at that the difference in the quality
Of voices did not strike Florence's ear as odd
The result of her confidence was that upon
reaching the upper halls, opposite the Dress
ing rooms, she was suddenly thrust into .
room and made prisoner. When tie light was
turned up she recognized with horror the
woman who had helped to kidnap her and
take her away on the George Washington
weeks ago. She could not have cried out for
help if she had tried.
Meantime Jim got up and began to wan
der about in search of Florence.
Braine played . clever game that night. He
and the Russian, still dominoed like Norton
and Florence, ordered the Hargreavs auto, by
number, entered 1t and were driven up to the
porte cochere Of the Hargreave house. The
two alighted, the chauffeur sent the car to-
ward the garage, and Braine and his COM
pan.on ran lightly down the path to the
street where tie cab which had followed
picked them up.
1t grew more and more evident to Jim that
something untoward had taken place. He
could not find Florence anywhere, in the al
coves, in the side rooms the supper or card
room. Later, to his utter amusement he was
time since been called and its owner taken
home. Some one had taken his place!
His first sensation was impotent fury
against Jones, who had permitted item to
play with fire. He flung out of the mansion
unceremOnlOusly, Communicated cab, and
few out to Riverdale. And when Jones came
to the door he was staggering with sleep.
What's the matter with you? +" dema nded
Jim roughly. Where's Florence7"
Isn't she with your" CRIED .sones, making
an effort to dispel the drowsiness- :. What
time is it?" suddenly.
Midnight! Where is sLe?"
Midnight? I've been drugged!" Without
a word Jones staggered of to the kitchens.
Jim at his heels.
There was always hot water, and within
five minutes Jones had drunk two cups Of
raw strong coffee
"Drugged!" he murmured. Some one II
the house! III attend to that later. Now.
the chauheuri
But the Chauffeur swore on his oath TINT h.
had left Jim and Florence on the steps Of the
porte cocheres
Get inl" said Jones to Norton, now fullv
alive. He could not get It out of hi. -,
that some one In the house had drusxed him.
The events which followed were TO 10Th
Jones and Norton something Ike 4 series a.
Nightmares. In the new home Of the Princes.
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