American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-04-22
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Masked Bail.

hOOut the time tHe DidCh hundred was
stretching out It's powerful secret arms
toward Norton-there arrived in New
York city a parsonage. This person
age was the Princess Parlova, a fabu.
lousy rich Polish Russian She leased
q 1ne house near Central park and set
about to conquer social New York.
This was not very difficult, for her
title was perfectly genuine and che
moved IN the most exclusive diplo.
matte circles In Europe. which, as
everybody knows. is the most brilliant
In he world When the new home
was completely decorated. she gave
an elaborate dinner. and that attracted
b newspapers. They began to talk
about her higEness. printed portraits
Of her, and devoted a page occasion.
ally in the Sunday editions. She be-
came something OF a rag One morn
Ing II was announced that the Princess
Parlova would give a masked ball to
formally open her home I o society;
and It was this notice that first
brought the Princess Parlova under
Braine's eyes. He was at the Perlgoff
apartment at the time.
well. Welt" he unused aloud
What is III" asked Olga. turning
away from the piano and ending one
OF Chopin's mazurkas brokenly.
Here is the Princess Parlova In
town"
"And who is she7"
"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
her9"e
she IL giving q masked ball to for.
mally open her house on the West side.
And it's going TO cost a pretty penny"
We'll, you're not telling me this TO
make me want to know the princess"
said Olga, petulantly.
mo. But I'm going to give you a
letter Of introduction to her hlghness."
"Ohl"
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"
Il Will not have you call me child!"
well. then, Olga"
That's better, Now, how will Il be-
easier than I think"
simply this, the Princess Parlova is
an oath bound member, but has not
active for years"
"Ohol" Olga was all animation now.
Go on"
You will 40 TO her with a letter OF
introduction-nol Better than that.
you will make a formal call and show
ner this ring. You know the ring" he
aid. passing the talisman to the count.
ass. SHOW this to her and she will
obey you in everything She Will have
no ALTERNATIVE"
VERY good" replied Olga And
then the program Is to insist that sho
invite Florence aHd that fool OF q re-
porter to this BAH Then what?"
You n leave that to me"
Haven't all these failures been a
mo, my dear. | was born optimis.
Iic; but there's a ink somewhere In
me OF my pockets Time after time
We had everything Just where | wanted
T. and then-poofl It's pure bald
Iuck on their side. but sooner or later
he wheel viii turn And any chance
nat offers ] am bound to accept.
or other We may be able to
Trap Florence and Norton. | want
OF them II | can get them nus.
y away. Jones will be forced TO draw
n Hargreave."
rs there such a manr"
You saw him that night at the
restaurant"
1 nave often thought that perhaps
Just dreamed H." She turned again
% the plano and began humming idly.
stop that and listen I O me-" said
sraine, not In quite the best OF tenn. !
'ers. I'm In no mood for whims."
Music does not sooth your soul.
cynically.
III had M II might You will
AL on the Princess Parlova tomor.
'ow afternoon. II depends upon you
wat my plans viii be. think your
little trouble in getting into the
presence Of her highness. and once
mere she win not be able to resist
I'm GO"
And 20 she did. The footman In
|reen livery hesitats19sfor a m
Mt the title on the &}filins card was
'uite sufficient He 2nEsd the count
~ into the reception F66fh and went
Q search Of his distinguished mis-
The Princess Parlova was a hand
lome woman verging upon middle age
sne was a patrician; olga's keen eye
that instantly. She came
INTO the reception room with that dig
lined serenity which would have i'm.
'ressed any n as genuine. She held
ne card In her fingers and smiled In