The Detroit times., 1914-10-22

dfned with Florence Tor the nrst time
and for once In his life he experienced
that petty disturbance Of collective
thought called embarrassment. To
talk over war plans with Jones was
one thing. but to have Jones serve
soup vas altogether another. AL
through dinner Jones replied to Ques-
tions with no more and no less than
Yes, sir" and mo. sir" Norton was
beginning to learn that this strange
man could put on dozen kinds OF
armor and always retain his individ
uality. And tonight there seemed
something vaguely familiar about the
impassaye face OF the butler, as II he
had seen II somewhere In the past but
could not tell when or where. As he
and Florence were leaving for the
automobile which was to take them TO
the princess, the truth came home TO
him with the shock Of douche of ice
cold water. Under his breath he mur-
mured You're q wonderful man,
Jones; and I take my hat on to you
with the deepest admiration. Hang
Ime!.
What are you mumbling about p
asked the happy girl at his side.
WAS Il mumbling? Perhaps I was
going over my catechism I haven't
been out In society In 50 long that I've
forgotten how to act"
Il believe that. We've been In here
for fiye minutes and you haven't told
me that you love me-"
Good heavens" And his arms went
around her so tightly that she begged
for quarter.
How strong you are!"R
The splendor Of the. rooms, the
dazzling array OF jewels. the kaleido-
scopic colors. the perfume Of the
banked flowers. and the music all
combined to put Florence into .
pleasurable kind Of trance. And Il
was only when the first waltz began
that she became herself and surren-
dered to the arms OF the man sne
loved.
And they were waItzing over a vol
cano. She knew and he knew IL.
From what direction would the blow
come? Well, they were prepared for
all manner of tricks.
In an alcove OF the ballroom sat
Braine and Olga, both dressed exact
ly like Norton and Florence. Another
man and woman entered presently
and Braine spoke to them for a mo-
ment, as II giving instructions, which
was indeed the case.
The band crashed into another
dance, and the masqueradess began
swiriing hither and thither and yon.
A gay cavalier suddenly stopped in
front Of Florence.
"Enchantress. may have the
pleasure OF this dancer"
Jim touched Florence's hand. But
she turned laughingly toward the
stranger. What difference did IL
make? The man would never know
who she was nor would she know him.
u was lark, that was all: and de
spite Jim's warning touch she was
up and away like the mischievous
sprite that she was. Jim remained
in his chair, twisting his fingers and
wondering whether to laugh or grog
angry. After all, he could not blame
her. To him an affair like this was
an ancient story; TO her IL was the
door OF fairyland swung open. Let
her enjoy herself.
Florence was having a splendid
time. Her partner was asking all
sorts Of questions and she was re
plying In kind, when out of the crowd
came Norton (as she supposedly, who
touched her arm. The cavalier
stopped. bowed, and made on
Norton whispered: Il have made
an important discovery. We must
be on at once. Come with me-"
Florence. without the least sus
picion In the world, followed him u.
the broad staircase. What with the
many sounds Il was not to be won
dered at that the difference I'm ths
quality OF voices did not strike Flor
ence's ear as odd. The result OF hel
lconndence was that upon reachins
the upper halls, opposite the dress
Ing rooms. she was suddenly thrus
into a room and made prisoner
When the light was turned up sh,
recognized with horror the woman
who had helped to kidnap her an,
take her away on the George Wash
Iington weeks ago. She could no
have cried out for help II she ha,
tried. w
| Meantime Jim got mp and bega,
to wander about in search Of Flor
lence.
Braine played a clever game tina
I~I~1~4 n. ana an. n..-.f-- "a,