The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-16

ness
Suppose we go at once and pick
out some costumes" suggested Nor
ton.
"Just as soon as / a get my hat
on" replied Florence, happy as a lark.
"But mind" warned jones'. "be sure
that you see the costumer alone and
that no one else is about"
It'll take particular care" agreed
Norton. We've got to do some hus-
Ting to find something suitable. For
a big affair like this the town will be
ransacked. All aboard! There's room
for two in that car of mine; and we
can have a spin besides. Hang
work."
Florence laughed, and even Jones
permitted a smile (Which was not
grim this time) to stir his lips.
A happy person is generally un-
~observant. Two happy persons to-
gether r totally unobservant OF
what passes around them. In palmer
terms this lack is called love. And
being frankly in love with each other,
neither Norton nor Florence observed
that q taxicab followed them into
town. Jones, not being in love, was
keenly o~bservant; but the tax1cab
took up the trail two blocks away, 80
the matter wholly escaped Jones eye'
The two went into several cos
tuners, but eventually discovered a
shop on a side street that had been
overlooked by those invited to the
masquerade. They had a merry time
rummaging among the camphory
smelling boxes. There were dominoes
of all colors, and at length they agreed
upon two modest one that were
evenly matched in color and design.
Florence ordered them to be sent
home. Then the two of them sailed
up to the Ritz Carleton and had tea.
The man from the taxicab entered
the costumer's, displayed a detectives
shield and demanded that the pro-
prietor show him the costumes Sc
lected by the two young people who
had just left. The man obeyed won
deringly.
81 want a pair exactly like these"
said the detective. How much?"
1.-TWO dollars each, rental; seven
apiece If you wish to buy them"
"TIl buy them"
The detective paid the bill, nodded
CURLY, and returned to his taxicab.
Now, I wonder" unused the cos
tuner, what the dickens those limo
cent looking young people are up to?'
He never found out.
On the night of the ball Norton
dined with Florence for the first 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 was altogether another. All
through dinner Jones replied to ques'
tons with no more and no less than
ayes, sir" and mo, sir" Norton was
beginning to learn that this strange
man could put on a dozen kinds OF
armor and always retain his individ-
uality. And tonight there seemed
something vaguely familiar about
the impassive face of the butler, as
if he had seen it 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
a douche of ice cold water. Under
his breath he murmured: You're a
wonderful man, Jones; and I take my
hat off to you with the deepest admira-
ton. Hang mel" ...,....
What are you mumbling about?'
asked the happy girl at his side.
"Was I mumbling? Perhaps | was
going over my catechism. 1 haven't
been out in society in SO long that
I've forgotten how to act"
Il believe that. We've been in here
for five minutes and you haven't told
me that you love me-"
Good h~eavens!"' And his arms
went around her SO tightly that she
begged for quarter,
How strong you are!"
The splendor of the rooms, the daz-
cling array of jewels, the Kaleidoscope
colors, the perfume of the banked
flowers and the music all combined
to put Florence into a ~pleasurable
kind of trance. And it was only when
the first waltz began that she became
herself and surrendered to the arms
of the man she loved.
And they were Waiting over a vol
cano. She knew and he knew it.
From what direction would the blow
come? Well, they were prepared for
all manner of tricks.
In an alcove off the ballroom sat
Braine and Olga, both dressed exactly
like Newton and Florence. Another
man and woman entered presently
and Braine spoke to them for q mo-
ment, as if 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 pleas
ure of this dancer"
Jim touched Forence's hand. But
she turned laughingly toward the