Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-10-24
How strong you are ~

Ine Splend0r OF the rooms, tne QdzZHnR ar
ray of jewels, the Kaleidoscope colors, the
perfume of the banked flowers, and the music
all combined to put Florence into a pleas
urable kind of trance. And it was only when
the first waltz began that she became her
self and surrendered to the arms of the man
s4e loved.
And they were waltzing over a volcano.
She knew and he knew 1t. From what direc-
tion would the blow come? Well, they were
prepared for all manner of tricks.
In an alcove 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 them
for a moment, as II giving instructions, which
was indeed the case.
The band crashed into another dance and
the masqueraders began swirling hither and
thither and yon. A gay cavalier suddenly
stopped in front of Florence.
Enchantress, may have the pleasure Of
this dancer"
Jim touched F1orence's hand. But she
turned laugLingly toward the stranger. What
difference did 1t make? The man would never
know who she was nor would she know him.
1t was a lark, that was all and despite Jims
warning touch she was up and away like the
mischevous 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 ker. To him an
affair like this was an ancient story; to her
It was the door of fairyland swung open. Let
her enjoy herself 2
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 Gas she supposedly, who
touched her arm. The cavalier stopped,
bowed and made off.
Norton whispered: "I have made an i'm
portant discovery. We must be of at once.
Come with me-"
Florence, without the least suspicion in the
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 a
room and made prisoner. When tie light was
up sue TeCOBulIeu Win Iu0
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 a clever game that night. He
and the Russian, still dominoed like Norton
md FIorancA orderad tho HarOraava ante bu
number, entered it and were driven up 10 the
porte cochere of the Hargreave house. The
two alighted, the chauffeur sent the car TO-
ward the garage, and Braine and his COM
panion ran lightly down the path to the
street where the 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 amazement, he was
informed that the Hargreave auto had some
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 them to
play with fire. He flung out of the mansion
unceremoniously, Communicated a cab, and
few out to Riverdale. And when Jones came
to the door he was staggering with sleep.
whats the matter with your" demanded
Jim roughly. where's Florence7"
Isn't she with your" crieo Jones, making
an effort to dispel the drowsiness- What
time is it?" suddenly.
Midnight! Where Is ske?"
Midnight? I've been drugged!" Without
a word Jones staggered off 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 in
the house! III attend to that later. Now,
the chauffeur!
But the chauffeur swore on his oath that he
had left Jim and Florence on the steps of the
porte cochere.
Get in!" said Jones to Norton, now fully
alive. He could not get it out of his head
that some one in the house had drugged him.
The events which followed were to both
Jones and Norton something like a series Of
nightmares. In the new home of the Princess
Parlova a bomb exploded and fire followed
the explosion. From pleasure to terror Is
only a STEP The widest confusion mag
Unable ensued. Most of the guests were Of
the opinion that some anarchist had attempted
to blow up the house of the rich Pole. Jones
and Norton arrived just as the smoke began
to pour out from the windows. crowd mad
already collected.
Then Jim overheard a woman masquerader
say: The fool made tie bomb too strong.
She is in the room on the second floor The
game Is up il she suffocates-" The voice