Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-02-05
go to one," said Florence with eager


ness.
Suppose we go at once and pick |
out some costumes?" suggested Nor
ton.
Just as soon as I 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"
"Pll take particular care" agreed
Norton. We've got to do some hus-
Ting to find something suitable. For
big affair like this the town will be
ransacked. Ali 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 a 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 a 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 a
shop on a side street that had been
overlooked by those invited to the
masquerade. They had 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 detectives s
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
dering1y.
Il want pair exactly like these
said the detective. How much?"
Two dollars each, rental; seven
apiece if you wish to buy them"
I'll buy them"
The detective paid the bill, nodded
curtly, and returned to his taxicab
Now, 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. Te
talk over war plans with Jones was
one thing, but to have Jones serve
soup was altogether another. AL
through dinner Jones replied to ques
tions with no more and no less thai
YES, sir and mo, SIR" Norton wa.
beginning to learn that this strang'
man could put on a dozen kinds 0
armor and always retain his individ
5. uality. And tonight there seemed
something vaguely familiar abou
8 the impassive face of the butler, a
q if he had seen it somewhere in tn
IS past, but could not tell when 0
o where AS he and Florence wer'
q leaving for the automobile which wa
q to take them to the princess, the trut
$, came home to him with the shock q
y a douche of ice cold water. Unde
o his breath he murmured: You're
wonderful man, Jones; and take m
10 hat off to you with the deepest admire
y ton Hang mel"
What are. you mumbling about?
d asked the happy girl at his side.
d. WAS mumbling? Perhaps wa
y going over my catechism haven
{! been out in society in SO long ths
Of I've forgotten how to act
III Il believe that. We've been in her
,e for five minutes and you haven't tol
me that you love me-
ID "Good heavens!" And his arm
went around her so tightly that sh
ze begged for quarter.
Is How strong you are!"
is The splendor of the rooms, the da
sn zling array OF jewels, the kaleidoscop
ct colors, the perfume of the banke
%. flowers and the music all combine
ne to put Florence into a pleasurab
TO- kind of trance. And it was only whe
n the first waltz began that she becau
herself and surrendered to the arm
lis of the man she loved.
And they were waltzing over a W
ne cano. She knew and he knew
IS From what direction would the bio
We come? Well, they were prepared 4
all manner of tricks.
n In an alcove on the ballroom s
Braine and Olga, both dressed exact
'e- like Newton and Florence. Anoth
ne man and woman entered present
ne and Braine spoke to them for a m
OF ment, as if giving instructions, whi,
ut was indeed the case.
ny The band crashed into anoth
dance, and the masqueraders beg;
ce swirling hither and thither and 20
"n A gay cavalier suddenly stopped
ng front of Florence.
"Enchantress, may l have the ples
!! ure of this dancer
Jim touched Florence's hand. B
ne she turned laughingly toward t
'ur stranger. What difference did
he make? The man would never kne
who she was nor would she knt
Mt him. It was a lark, that was a
and despite Jim's warning touch s
! was up and away like the mischievo
ire sprite that she was Jim remain
in his chair, twisting his fingers a
u" wondering whether to laugh or gr,
angry. After all, he could not blal
es. her. To him an affair like this was
ing ancient story: to her it was the dc
int of fairyland swung open. Let her
BUR Joy herself.
ess Florence was having a splent
nil time. Her partner was asking all so
of questions and she was replying
xed kind, when out of the crowd ca
to Norton Gas she supposedly, who touch