davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Spectator., 1916-05-19
Copyright, 1914. by Harold MacGrath)

Very good" replied Olga. And invite Florence and that fool of re- porter to this ball. Then what?"
 You can leave that to me-"
 Haven't all these failures been a warning?"
 No, my dear. I was born optimis- tic; but there's a jinx somewhere in one of my pockets. Time after time I've had everything just where wanted 1t, and then-poof. It's pure bald luck on their side, but sooner or later the wheel will turn. And any chance that offers l am bound to accept Somehow or other we may be able to trap Florence and Norton. I want both of them. If I can get them snug ly away, Jones will be forced to draw in Hargreave."
 "ls there such man?"
 You saw him that night at the restaurant"
 Il have often thought that perhaps l just 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. I'm in no mood for whims.'
 Music does not sooth your soul, then?" cynically.
 If l had one it might You will call on the Princess Parlova tomor- row afternoon. It depends upon you what my plans will be. I think youll have little trouble in getting into the presence of her highness, and once there she will not be able to resist you"
 I'll go."
 And go she did. The footman in green livery hesitated for a moment. but the title on the visiting card was quite sufficient He bowed the count ess into the reception room and went ill search of his distinguished mis- tress.
 The Princess Parlova was a hand some woman verging upon middle age She was patrician; Olga's keen eye discerned that instantly She came into the reception room with that dig nitied serenity which would have i'm pressed any one as genuine. She held the card in her fingers and smiled in- Quiringly toward her guest.
 T confess" she began. that I re- call neither your face nor your name l am sorry Where have I had the honor of meeting you before?"
 You have never met me before, your highness," answered Olga sweetly.
 You came on charity errand, then?'
 That depends. your highness. Will you be so good as to glance at this?" Olga asked, holding out her palm upon which the talisman lay.
 The princess shrank back, paling.
 Where did you get that?" she panted.
 From the head was the answer.
 And you have followed me from Russia?" whispered the princess, her terror rowing.
 oh. no. The Black Hundred is as strongly organized here as in St. Pe- tersburg. But we always keep track of old members. especially when they stand so high in the world as your self"
 But was deceived and betrayed!" exclaimed the princess. They urged
The Spectator., 1916-05-19

Positively no! Here is a list of four names. Invite them; that is all you have to do. Not so much as a silver spoon will be found missing. This is on my word of honor, and l never break that word, if you please"
 Give me the list" said the princess, wearily. Who gave you that ring?" The head"
 Tn Russian"
 No; here in America" Olga dipped into her handbag and produced slip of paper. This she handed to the princess. Here is the list, highness." Who is Florence Hargreaye?"
 "A friend of mine," evasively.
 Does she belong to the organiza- tion."
 No"
 Then you have some ulterior pur- pose in having me invite her?' Il have" answered Olga sharply; but that does not concern your high ness in the least"
 The princess bit her lips. q see your name here also; man named Braine, and another, Norton"
 Say at once that you do not care to execute the wishes-the commands of the order,' said Olga coldly.
 T will do as you wish. And I beg you now to excuse me. But if any thing happens to any of my personal friends"
 "Well?" haughtily from Olga.
 Well, l will put the matter in the hands of the police'
 But so long as your personal friends are not concerned?"
 T shall then of necessity remain deaf and blind. It is one of the pen alties l must pay for my folly. l wish you good-day.'
 And also good riddance," mur- mured Olga under her breath as she rose and started for the hallway.
 Thus it was that when Norton went to the office the next afternoon he
The Spectator., 1916-05-19

me to join on the ground that the organization was to attempt to bring about the freedom of Poland"
 Olga shrugged. You were rich highness. The Black Hundred needed money"
 And you need it now?" eagerly believing that she saw a loophole How much? Oh, l will give a hun dred thousand rubles on your prom. ise to leave me alone. Tell mel"
 T am sorry. your highness, but I have no authority to accept such an offer. Indeed, my errand is far from being expensive. All the Black Hun. dred desires is four invitations to this ball which you are soon to give. That should not cause you any alarm. We shall not interfere with your so. journ in America in any way what. soever. provided these invitations are issued"
 You would rob my guests?' horri, fled
The Spectator., 1916-05-19
Ter arm. The cavalier stoppea, bowed

her arm. The cavalier stopped. bowed and made off.
 Norton whispered: 'I have made an important discovery. We must be off at once. Come with me"
 Florence, without the least suspicion broad staircase. What with the many sounds it was not to be wondered at that the difference in the quality of voices did not strike Florence's ear as odd. The result of her confidence was that upon reaching the upper halls, opposite the dressing rooms, she was suddenly thrust into a room and made prisoner. When the light was turned up she recognized with horror the woman who had helped to kidnap her and take her away on the George Washington weeks ago. She could not have cried out for help if she had tried.
 Meantime Jim got up and began to wander about in search of Florence.
 Braine played clever game that night. He and the Russian, still dom- inoed like Norton and Florence, or dered the Hargreave auto by num- Der. entered it and were driven up to the porte cochere of the Hargreave house. The two alighted, the chauf- feur sent the car toward the garage, and Braine and his companion ran lightly down the path to the street where the cab which had followed picked them up.
 It grew more and more evident to Jim that something untoward had taken place. He could not find Flor ence anywhere, in the alcoves, in the side rooms. the supper or card room. Later. to his utter amazement, he was informed that the Hargreave auto had some time since been called and it's owner taken home. Some one had taken his place!
 His first sensation was impotent fury against Jones, who had permitted them to play with fire. He flung out of the mansion unceremoniously, com mandeered cab and flew out to Riv- erdale And when Jones came to the door he was staggering with sleep.
 Whats the matter with you?" de- manded Jim roughly. Where's Flor ence?"
 Isn't she with you?" cried Jones, making an effort to dispel the drowsi- ness. What time is it?" suddenly.
 Midnight! Where is she?"
 Midnight? I've been drugged,"
 Without a word Jones staggered off to the kitchens, Jim at his heels.
 There was always hot water, and within five minutes Jones had drunk two cups of raw strong coffee.
 "Drugged," he murmured. Some one in the house, I'll attend to that later Now, the chauffeur"
 But the chauffeur swore on his oath that he had left Jim and Florence on the steps of the porte cochere.
 Get in" said Jones to Norton, now fully alive. He could not get it out of his head that some one in the house had drugged him.
 The events which followed were to both Jones and Norton something like series of nightmares. In the new home of the Princess Parlova a bomb exploded and fire followed the eXplo- sion. From pleasure to terror is only step. The widest confusion imag,
The Spectator., 1916-05-19

inable ensued. Most of the guests were of the opinion that some an archist had attempted to blow up the house of the rich Pole. Jones and Norton arrived just as the smoke be gan to pour out from the windows. A crowd had already collected.
 Then Jim overheard a woman mas querader say: "The fool made the bomb too strong. She is in the room on the second floor. The game is ur if she suffocates-' The voice trailed off and the woman became lost in the crowd But it was enough for the reporter. who pushed his way roughly through the excited mas queraders and entered the house. The rescue was one of the most exciting to be found in the newspaper files oi the day.
 So Braine in his effort to scare ev erybody from the house had over reached himself once more. (TO BE CONTINUED
The Spectator., 1916-05-19
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Masked Ball.

About this timeAthat is to say, about the time the Black Hundred was stretching out it's powerful secret arms toward Norton-there arrived in New York city parsonage. This person age was the Princess Parlova, a fabu. lously rich Polish Russian. She leased a fine house near Central park and set akUut to conquer social New York. TThis was not very difficult, for her title was perfectly genuine and she moved in the most exclusive diplo- matic circles in Europe. which, as everybody knows. is the most brilliant in the world When the new homo was completely decorated, she gave an elaborate dinner, and that attracted the newspapers. They began to talk about her highness, printed portraits of her. and devoted a page occasion ally in the Sunday editions. She be- came something of rage. One morn ing i. was announced that the Princess Parlova would give masked ball to formally open her home to society; and it was this notice that first brought the Princess Parlova under Braine's eyes. He was at the Perigoff apartment at the time.
 Well, well," he unused aloud.
 What is it7" asked Olga, turning away from the piano and ending one of Chopins mazurkas brokenly.
 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 Slav next door has been very gentle"
 T haven't paid much attention to the social news lately. What about herr"
 ''She is giving a masked bali to for mally open her house on the West side. And it's going to cost pretty penny"
 Well. 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 highness. :"
 "Oh!"
 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"
 q will not have you call me child."
 Well then. Olga"
 That's better Now. how will it be easier than I think?"
 Simply this, the Princess Parlova is an oath bound member, but has not been active for years"
 "Oho!" Olga was all animation now. "Go on,"
 You will go to her with letter Of introduction--no. Better than that. you will make a formal call and show her this ring. You know the ring" he said, passing the talisman to the count ess Show this to her and she win obey you in everything, She will have no alternative
The Spectator., 1916-05-19

found a broad white envelope on his desk. Indifferently he opened the same and his eyes bulged. Princess Parloya requests" and so forth and so on. Then he shrugged. The chief had probably asked for the invitatiou and he would have to write up the doings, phase of reportorial work eminently distasteful to him. He went up to the city desk.
 Cant you find some one else to do this stuff?" he growled to the city editor.
 The city editor glanced at the card and crested envelope. Good Lord. man. Nobody in this office had any thing to do with that What luck, Our Miss Hayes tried all manner of schemes. but was rebuffed on all sides. How the deuce did you chance to get one?'
 Search me-" said the bewildered Norton.
 If were you I'd sit tight and take 1t all in" advised the editor. It's going to be the biggest splurge of it's kind we've had in years. We've been working every wire we know to get Miss Hayes inside, but it was no go. This princess Is not onto the game yet. In this country you get into so. ciety or you don't through the Sun days"
 Hanged if I know who wished this thing on me"
 Take it philosophically," said the editor sarcastically. The princess seen your picture"
 Get out," grumbled Norton, turn ing away.
 He would go out and see Florence. On the way out to Riverdale he came to the conclusion that the list of the princess fell short and some friend of his who was helping the woman out suggested his name. It was the only way he could account for it.
 But when he learned that Florence had an invitation exactly like his own and that she received it that morning he became suspicious.
 Jones, what do you think of it?" he questioned.
 q think it was very kind of the Countess Perigoff suggesting your name and that of Florence" said the butler urhanely.
 'Olga?" cried Florence. disappoint- edly.
 'It is the only logical deduction can make" declared Jones. They are both practically Russians"
 And what would you adviser" asked Norton.
 Why. go and enjoy yourselves. Forewarned is forearmed The thing is. be very careful not to acquaint any one with the character of your disguise. least of all the Countess Perigoff. Besides" Jones added smil- ing. perhaps l may go myself"
 "Goodyl I've read about masked balls and have always been crazy to
The Spectator., 1916-05-19
John Ruskin.

John Ruskin did not commit sui eide. It is quite true that from g combination of domestic difficulties. il health and oyerwork Ruskin became afflicted with the nervous troubles that verged close upon insanity al times. but he kept the balance ant died at last naturally.
The Spectator., 1916-05-19
INTERNATIONAL, SUNDAYSQl0OL
 LESSON

CBy F. O. SELLERS, Acting Director of Sunday School Course of the Moody Bible Institute. Chicago)
 Copyright, 1916. Western Newspaper Union.)
The Washington times., 1916-08-05
District Boys Watch
Real Battle in Mexico
Military Court Adjourns When Dogs Mix Up Dur
ing Arraignment of Guardsmen Who Acct
dentally Crossed the Border.

. Mexican dog. This Mexican dog was
an Important sort OF animal that rS-
sented the Intrusion OF little Arizona.
He Inspected the invader carefully
while the thirty-odd officers were
trying to mako up their minds what to
dc. with the Americans and exohang-
Ing cigarettes and compliments with
them.
Arizona isn't trained in the nicsties
Of writing notes. He resented the
inquisitiv eness Of Mexico. A yelp
notified the Mexican dog that dtplo-
matio relations were severed and the
The Mexican dog commenced to howl
and the court adjourned so that every
body could watch the hght.
In q very few minutes Arisona had
Mexico seeking. shelter under Q near
by table. The Nexican officers had by
this time forgotten all about what
they were doing before the night and
simply ordered the army to turn the
District troops oy:r to the United
The District boys had the time OF
their lives while they were In the
Mexican town. They, said they were
treated royalty by their captors and
that they wouldn't have known they
were captives at all II II hadn't been
that tho army had . friend who could
talk enough English to tell than 30.
The statement that has reached
Washington that the District boys
were frightened 10 denied absolutely.
There isn't q gray hair among the lot
spssEins of hair brings to light the
The Washington times., 1916-08-05

wARRFN. Aris.. Aug. s.--Ancther
punitive expedition has entered Mex-
leo. fought o battle and inflicted real
punishment! sr.'' g.
There facts would never have become
known but for the notoriety which six
members OF tho District hospital com
pany gained through their efforts TO
see Mexico. which landed them In du-
rance vile.
The six District soldiers headed the
punitive expedition-although they did
not know II at the time. And they were
actually present at tho battle. And 1t
was some battle!
When the six intrepid District war
riors crossed the border they were fol-
lowed by cute little specimen Of dog
dom which serves as q mascot TOR the
Arizona troops in camp here. Tue Ari-
zona dog Isn't a very large animal but
he is active and tough. When the Mex
ican army charged the District soldiers.
surrounded and arrested them. the dog
barked at the army, VINO was uStng q
both of its hands telling the Americans
they were under arrest. and consequent
ly couldn't retaliate.
Under escort OF the army the District
boys were brought before an imposing
tribunal, consisting Of thirty-odd dig
nifled Mexican officers. The Arixons
dog periodically cast his lot with hti
fellow.countrymen and went Into court
into the court room there also came
The Washington times., 1916-08-05
OF
HUGHES IS PRAISED
Sunragists' Official Paper De-
clares It Of High Order"

Charles z. Hughes declaration for
the Federal suffrage amendment was
admirable In matters and manner"
says today's issue OF the Sunragist,
official publication of the Congressional
Union for Woman Suffrage.
II commends the statement for Its
high order OF statesmanship."
In justice to any class, Mr.. Hughes
maintains" It says. results only in the
hard and fast organization of that
class for the removal of the injustice
an organization growing bitterer In
spirit, the longer justice is delayed. The
small statesman meets a social condi-
ton like this with blind efforts
to avoid action of any kind as long as
It is humanity possible to do so. The
large-minded statesman meets these
social facts with the prompt concession
Of reform.
1--WE are at the beginning Of a period
when all the nations OF the world are
taking an inventory Of their moral and
material forces, and organizing them In
a way never before dreamed Of. II our
nation is to hold a place at all among
the great nations Of the earth. II also
must attempt to organize and CO.
ordinate all the services of all the peo-
pie on a basis of genuine democracy"
The Washington times., 1916-08-05
Hall Mission

HALL. MISSION
Removed to 7l9 eth st. y. w.
Religious service held every Sunday at ESQ
All Are Welcome.
p. II. LCTTRELL, Pastor.
The Washington times., 1916-08-05

fact that the washingtonians here are
all growing hne Charlie Chaplin mus
tsches. The climate seems great for
that sort Of thing.
Signal Corps Working Hard.
The signal corps 10 working harder
than any organization IN this section
The men have a regular program Of
drill for every day In the week and are
taking up the various duties Of their
department Of the military establish
ment In q very businessliks way.
captain Terry has outlined a regular
program Of instruction which Ia taken
up by the various sections In turn. It
includes the caro- of equipment. horse
manship. visual signaling, laying tele-
phone and telegraph lines and other fea-
lures of the signal corps duties,
The hospital detachment Ii also going
IN for intensive training. Major Bowkef
has been invited by the surgeons In
charge Of the Copper Queen Hospital at
The Washington times., 1916-08-05

Bisbee TO utilize the equipment of that
institution and to assist In operations.
pitai. is a member OF the medical re-
serve corps Of the army. He states
tnat his hospital would be n base nos
pitai In case OF war. 1he hospital 10
tnorouEhiy up-to-dste In every particu-
modern hospitals In Washington.
Major Young, who is in charge Of the
Arizona field hospital. called at camp
today and disclosed the fact that he .is
taught chemistry at Central HiSh
school and is a graduate Of the rned-
lea. department Of Georgetown Univss.
The Washington times., 1916-08-05
MARYLAND BRIGADE
HAS A STIFF hike
Men Are Tired and Sore From
Nine-Mile Tramp With
Heavy Equipment.
EAGLE PASS. Aug. s.
For it's hike. hike. hike

For it's hike, hike. hike
Which they don't much like.
When you're In the infantree-eei
The old song which the late Chs rles
Kleine who went down on the Lusi-
tania, wrote for the Second United
States Cavalry. expresses the exact
sentiment Of every. man In, the. First.
today. The business Of seasoning the
militia troops to hiking Is being car
ried along progressively and the men
returned last night after a nine-mile
and tired and ready for BED. ''''
The regular officers in charge Of
the training Of the militia are working
the men gradually into shape. The
hike last Friday was Ave miles. Yes
Next Friday they will 60 twelve and
so on, the distance increasing each
without feeling IT, This Is regarded
'ss when some Of tho volunteers were
compelled to march twenty miles
without any seasoning at all.
|. Are Increasing Equipment.
In the practice hikes here the troops
are gradually increasing their equip
ment as we'll as the length of hikes.
Yesterday tho men carried 90 rounds
get to the point whore they can 20
20 or 2b miles per day they will be
carrying 210 rounds together with en-
trenching tools and the entire infantry
pack.
The men Of C Company. First Mary
land. entertained their comrades in
camp last night with q night cap pa
rade. Friends Of c Company at home
sent them six dozen night caps which
arrived Yesterday: After the company
lined up and ni8ht caps issued. Then
they paradcd the company streets. The
boys are very appreciative of the kind
ness OF their friends at home.
Captain Clayton . "Quartermastcr.
Capt. Dick Clayton. OF X Company.
from Silver Springs. has been detached
from his command and assigned tenn
department. Captain Clayton has been
In the War Department at Washington
for eighteen years. and knows more
about paper work Of the quarteritias-
ter's department, and the adjutant
generals department than any man in
the Maryland brigade. This paper
work" is ono Of the banes OF the militia
The First Maryland has been IN camp
on the border now exactly a month. II
was Just n month ago today that the
regiment arrived here. 1t WIS the FIRST
Of the Maryland Brikade to report.
a Eflly Sunday choir has been or
ganizcd for the NJ. Z. Church at Eagle
Pass by Major x. Herbert Black. Of
the active workers In the Billy Sunday
campaign IN Baltimore Las, winter.
Many Of the boys OF the Maryland reg
imcnt are enrolled In the choir.
The Washington times., 1916-08-05
Bapdst
BAPTIST CHURCH,

9TH ST. AND VIRGINIA AVE. 8 \;
REV. HOWARD I. STEWART, PASTOR
Bible School. $40; classes for all: preaching
at II. - FAMOUS MiTp READER s apa ,n1
TREES" Young Peoples service, 6:45;
mid week meeting, Thursday evening at $.
Free pews. Hearty welcome to all.
ETETu p near. 7th s. W. Dr. Weston
rlr Ia Bruner will preach at II
and 7:S each Sunday during August. :. S.,
$3.50. Il. Y. p. L.. Z. All welcome.
The Washington times., 1916-08-05

ssocIATEp BIBLE STUDENTS Assoc1A-
TIoN, Old Masonic Temple, 9th and r ste.
II. Clay Rockwell, Of New York city.
The Washington times., 1916-08-05
Thieves Take Pants.

Thieves broke a show case In front
OF the clothing store Of Isidor Grosner.
1913 Pennsylvania avenue northwest. last
valued at S1O.1
The Washington times., 1916-08-05

The Rev. DR.. George w. Clark. Of
Kentucky. who Is visiting his sister.
Mrs. Phoebe Alice Lillard. 7S street
northwest, will preach at Calvary Bap-
tist Church tomorrow morning. ..