Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1909-1915, 1914-11-13
CHAPTER. XVIII.
The Masked Ball.


about the time the Black Hundred was
stretching out its powerful secret arms
toward Norton-there arrived in New
York@city parsonage. This person.
age was the Princess Parlova, fabu.
lously rich Polish Russian She leased
fine house near Central park and set
about to conquer social New York,
This was not very difficult, for her
title was perfectly genuine and she
moved in the most exclusive diplc.
matte circles in Europe, which, as
everybody knows, is the most brilliant
In the world. When the new home
was completely decorated, she gave
an elaborate dinner, and that attracted
the newspapers. They began to talk
about her highness, printed portraits
Of her, and devoted a page occasion.
ally in the Sunday editions. She be
came something of rage One morn.
Ing 1t was announced that the Princess
Parlova would give a masked ball to
formally open her home to society;
and it was this notice that first
brought the Princess Parlova under
Braine's eyes. He was at the Perigoft
apartment at the time.
well, Welt" he unused aloud.
What is .it?" asked Olga, turning
away from the piano and ending one
OF Chopin's mazurkas brokenly.
Here is the Princess Parlova in
town" 81
> "And who is she?"
"She is the real thing, Olga; a real
princess with vast estates in Poland
with which the greedy Slav next door
has been very gentle"
II haven't paid much attention to
the social news lately. What about
herr"
"She is giving masked ball to for
mally open her house on the West side.
And it's going to cost pretty penny"
well, you're not telling me this to
make me want to know the princess"
said Olga, petulantly.
"No. But I'm going to give you a
letter of introduction to her highness."
"Oh!"
And you are going to ask her to
invite two particular friends of yours
to this wonderful ball of hers
Indeed" ironically. THAT sounds
all very easy"
Easier than you think, my child"
II will not have you call me child"
'Well, then, Olga"
That's better. Now, how will it be
easier than I Think"
Simply this, the Princess Parlova is
an oath bound member, but has not
been active for years." -..
"Oho!" Olga was all animation now
"Go on!''
"You will go to her with letter OF
introduction-no! :. Better than that,
you will make a formal call and show
her this ring. You know the ring" he
said, passing the talisman to the count.
ess. "Show this to her and she will
obey you in everything She will have
40 alternative"
'Very good" replied Olga "And
then the program Is to insist that she
invite Florence and that fool of re-
porter to this ball. Then what?"
"You can, leave that to me-"
Haven't all these failures been a
warning?"
NO. my dear. was born optimis.
tic; but there's jinx somewhere in
one of my pockets Time after time
Eve had everything just where wanted
it, and then-poof! It's pure bald
luck on their side, but sooner or later
the wheel will turn. And any chance
that offers I am bound to accept.
Somehow or other we may be able to
trap Florence and Norton. I want
both of them. If I can get them snug.
ly away, Jones will be forced to draw
in Hargreave."
us there such man."
"Yod saw him that night at the
restaurant" .v-~s
Il have often thought that perhaps
I just dreamed It," She turned again
to the piano and began humming idly
Stop that and listen to me-" said
Braine, not in quite the best of tenn
pers. Sim in no mood for whims."
Il Music does not sooth your soul
them" cynically.
~ IF I had one it might. You will
call on the Princess Parlova tomor
row afternoon. 1t depends upon you
what my plans will be- I think you'll
have little trouble in getting into the
? presence Of her highness, and once
there she will not be able to resist
you 5,s $@s,. =
"a It'll co. : ~
~ And go she did. The footman in
green livery ,hesitated for a moment
but the title on the visiting card was
quite sufficient. He bowed the count
ess into the reception room and went
in search of his distinguished mis-
tress. l...22~ ,IE
The Princess Parlova was hand
some woman verging upon middle age
She was patrician; Olga's keen eye
/ diseerned that instantly. She came
into the reception room with that dig
niied serenity which would have i'm
! pressed any one as genuine. She held
the card in her fingers and smiled in
quiringly toward her guest M @
81 confess she began, that I re