The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-05-13
go to one" said Florence with eager

| lOI.
Just as soon as I can 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"
I'm take particular care" agreed
Norton. We've got to do some hus-
thing 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
"a have a spin besides. Hang
work."
Florence laughed, and even Jones
permitted a smile (Which was not
grim this timel to stir his lips.
A happy person is generally I'M
obseryant. Two happy persons to-
gether are 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 a taxicab followed them into
town. Jones, not being IN love, was
keenly obseryant; but the taXicab
took up the trail two blocks away, so
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 ones 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.
Il want a pair exactly like these
said the detective. How much?"
Two dollars each, rental: sever
apiece If you wish to buy them"
I'll buy them"
The detective paid the bill, nodded
CURLY, and returned to his taxicab.
Now, l wonder" unused the cos
tuner, what the dickens those iEno-
cent looking young people are up to?'
He ever 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
Yes, 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 impressive face OF the butler, As
IL he had seer 1t 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
& dcuche of ice cold water. Under
his breath he murmured: You're a
| wonderful man, Jones, aud ! 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 | mumbling? Perhaps | was
going over my catechism. | 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 Ave 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!"
The splendor of the rooms, the dag
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 mar she loved.
And they were waltzing 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 a 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 ray cavalier suddenly stopped in
front of Florence.
"Enchantress, may l have the pleas
ure of this dancer"
Jim touched Florence's hand. But
she turned l%aughingly toward the
stranger. What difference did it
make? The man would never know
who she was nor would she know
him. 1t was a lark. that vas all: