The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1915-04-01

any one with the character Of your
disguise, least of all the Countess
Perigoff. Besides" Jones added smil-
ing, perhaps may go myself"
"Goody! I've read about masked
balls and have always been crazy to
go to ene," said Florence with eager
ness.
Suppose we go at once and pick
out some costumes?" suggested Nor
ton.
'Just as soon as can get my hat
on" replied Florence, happy as lark.
"But mind" warned Jones; BE sure
that you see the costumer alone and
that no one else is about"
''I'll take particular care" agreed
Norton. We've got to do some hus-
thing to find something suitable. For
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 spin besides. Hang
work."
Florence laughed, and even Jones
permitted smile (Which was not
grim this time) to stir his lips.
A happy person is generally un-
observant 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 taxicab followed them into
town. Jones, not being in love, was
keenly observant: 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
shop on 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. j
The man from the taxicab entered
the costumer's, displayed detectives
shield and demanded that the pro-:
prietor show him the costumes SCI
lected by the two young people who.
had just left. The man obeyed won.
deringly.
Il want a pair exactly like these. y
said the detective. How much?"
1.-TWO dollars each, rental; seven
apiece II you wish to buy them"
''Ill buy them"
The detective paid the bin, nodded
CURLY, and returned to his taxicab.
Nov. I WONDER" unused the cos
tuner, what the dickens those inno-
cent looking young people are up tor.
He never found out.
On the night Of the ball Norton.
dined wit 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-
lions 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 impassive face of the butler, as
| II he had seen it somewhere In the.
mast. 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
q douche OF ice cold water Under
his breath he murmured: You're
wonderful man, Jones; and take my
hat OF to you with the deepest admira-
ton. Hang mel"
What are you mumbling about?"
asked the happy girl at his side.
was 1 mumbling? Perhaps was
going over my catechism. haven't
been out in society in so long that:
I'VE forgotten how to act"
II believe that. We've been In here.
for FIVE minutes and you haven't told,
me that you love me-" I.
"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 daz-j
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 1t was only when:
the first waltz began that she became
herself and surrendered to the arms
Of the man she loved.
And they were waltzing over vol-i
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 of 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 mo-