The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-10-19
.continned.,
CHAPTER xviii.
sFha Masked ball.

- ~
The Masked BALL
About this tiu1e-that is to say,
about the time the Black Hundred was
stretching out it's powerful secret
arms toward Norten-there arrived
in NewpYork City a parsonage This
was the Princess PaHlova,
a fabuloualy rich Polish Russian. She
leased fine house near Central park
and set about to conquer Social New
York. This was not very dificult, ZOE
her title was perfectly genuine ana
she moved in the most exclusive d1plo-
matte circles in Europe, which, az
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 a talk
about her highness, printed portralts
of her, and devoted page occasion
ally in the Sunday editions. She be-
came something of q rage. One morn
ing it was announced that the Prln-
cess Parlova would give masked ball
to formally open her home to So
ciety; and it was this notice that first
brought the Princess ParlpYa under
Braine's eyes. He was in the Perl
60 apartment at the time.
We'll, Well" he unused aloud.
what is IT." asked Olga, turning
away from the piano and ending one
Of Chopin's mazurkas brokelly
Here is the Princess Parlova IN
town"
"And who is she?"
-.She is the real thing. Olga; real
princess with vast estates in Poland
with which the greedy Slay next door
has been very gentle"
81 haven't paid much attention to
the social news lately. What about
her 2"
..She is giving a masked ball to for
mally open her house on the west
side. And it's going to cost q pretty
penny
ssWell, 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 high
ness"
sol"
.And you are going to ask her to
invite two particular Irisnu.- OF yours
to this wonderful ball of hers"
Indeed" ironically. That sounds
all very easy"
"I will not have you cail .-e child!
Well, then, Olga"
That's better. Now. how will itsbe
easier than think
.'Simply this, the Princess Parloya
is an oath bound member, but has not
been active for years.
.'Choi" Olga was all elimination now.
Go on:..
"Yod viii go to her with letter Of
Better than that.
you will make a formal call and show
her this ring You know the ring,
re SAID, passing the tailsman TO the
countess. Show this to her and she
will obey you in everything. She VIII
have no alternative =
livery good replied Olga. and
the the program is to insist that she
invite Florence and that fool Of re-.
.norter to this bali. Then what ?"
aYou can leave that to me-.
Haven't all these failures been a
warning?"
'.No, my dear. was born optinis-
tic; but there's ink somewhere IN
one Of my pockets. Time after time
I'VE had everything Just where
wanted it, and tilen-poof! It's pure,
bald luck on their side, but sooner
or later the wheel Will turn Ana
any chance that offers am bound TO
accept Somehow or other we may be
able to trap Florence and Norton oIl
want both OF them. II can get them
-
draw in Hargreave.
as there such man ?"
you saw him that night at the
restaurant =
Il have often thought that perhaps
/ lust 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. Pm IN no mood for whims:
Music does not soothe your soul,
then ~ cynically.
IF 4 had one 1t might. You VIII
cali on the Princess Parloya tOmor-
row afternoon 1t depends upon You
what my plans will be. think you'll
have little trouble in getting into the
presence of her hfghneSs. and once
there she viii not be aE>e to resist
you"
sIlI co.
And 20 she did The foOtmans in
green livery hesitated for a moment,
but the title on the visiting card was
quite sufficient He bowed the coun-
tess into the reception room and went
Ia search OF his distinguished mis-
tress.
The Princess Paflov4 was hand
some woman vefging urhv middle re. |
She was patrician; Olgass keen eye
Iiiscerned that Instantly. She came |
into the reception room with that g 81