Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-10-30

trifed with q bunch Of violets beside her
to Christopher that she had scarcely spoken
at all. yet tp him. at least. she dominated
srm to be sleeping partner" a.rod
Christopher, wishing himself elsewhere,
though his interest was entansled.
"on the contrary. you're to be very wide
awake. But III tell you all about 1t. OF
course you've heard of the Van Boutsn ball
OF course Christopher had. and said SO.
For the past fortnight the papers had rained
was to be a masked ball. and was aimed
to rival In magnfhcence the histori affair
at Devonshre House in Diamond jubilee
Mss ysn Beauty as sG
her millions. She and a carefully selected
aunt had taken and restored fne old Abb
hey Of Henry Wis day. conveniently near
had been presented and captured society;
also she had captured. or was on the point
Of capturing, the Marquess OF Arrowdaine'
at which. it was said, after the unmasklng,
her engagement to Lord Arrowdale- wouid
perhaps be announced ll
I'VE have scheme for the night Of the
fury, If we can only carry It out" Fitzgerald
went on. 1T falls on the last Of March, as
I said; so that at midnight we shall have
the LIST Of April or All Fools Day, you
brilliant idea--though II did give us our In
spiration. We had reason to believe up to
last night that the plan ,s was IN the best
and men! One Of our best mice suddenly
failed us--innuensa or something obvious.
The wheels wouldn't 60 round without him
upset; but i I rsnsotsd. when in doubt, al.
ways consult an American girl SO called
Miss Dauvray into consultation. No chap:
her convictions, she consented to lunch at
the ultra-respectable Athenasum. While
waited for her I saw you-and your car
blush; / mean the carJ. Now. il only we
nay Just then came along Major NoESurn, In
Your sudscity and originality captivatsd my
the man for us. II we could SECURE you.
myself, and ana several frisnds-to ST. Romans
Mount for the ball In your ripping motor
car. We don't mean to stay late; In fact
w. can promise that you'll be back In town
dancing. Now. what do you say. when. In
addition to short hours. you'll be IN for
splendid advsnturs-just the sort Of thing
to appeal to your
my errand here this morning was to leave
note from Lord Arrowdale, making an ap-
pointment for q talk about motoring pity
Of his friends to st. Romans for the ball"
nobiy beautiful with the ivory curve Of her
cheeks stained deep rose-oolor. still she
did not speak.
Christopher was glad when she looked up.
It gave him his nrst real chance to see what
her eyes were like. No: It was not neces-
sary for woman with such eyes to say
much with her lips. still, what did the eyes
sayf somsthing. very oxpressively, very
ardentiy-but what2 Was she pleased to
hear that there was chance of his being
engaged to take another party to the ball2
hv "a Huah whan hA nantOnAd
appointment with Lord Arrowdalef
Christopher noticed now that she was look
Ing tired, Her eyes were gentle and sad.
his In support Of her one word. II was as
II she appealed to HIM But-did she want
him to consent or refuse7 He felt suddenly
a passionate desire to understand her, The
would see more Of her. TN that case" he
said, II am at your orders"
TITS settled--youre ono Of us!" exclaimed
Yes" said Christopher. -.
Then you shall hear the whole thing.
know that Milly van Bouten-or her aunt.
who poses as hostess-has offered the scrope
= blue diamond as prize for the greatest
sensation Of the evening"
Meaning the abandonment costumsr'
mot exactly that, for II can even be won
by party Indeed, l think II win be won
by my party What she means 10 to give
the diamond to the person or group Of per-
trance creates the greatest sensation.
Naturally. everybody wants to get that
diamond which Milly van Bouten bought at
Christie's on purpose to offer In this way.
Myself, rather think she hopes Arrow
dale may get II, as 1t would please him, and
then thered be chance of Its coming back
to her In the end--thouyh know for . fact
that he hasn't proposed yet, in spite Of all
the talk For my part. / want to get II.
/ discovered that Miss Dauvray had also set
her heart on annexing It. This suggested
our putting our heads together, Mily got
the diamond at a bargain. and the day after
, she was offered three times what she paid
|, by the American millionaire, Jim Scrope-
Saunders. who fancies himself to be an Of
shoot of the real Scropss, She wouldn't sell
. Il; what was twelve thousand pounds to
Millyf But It's something to Jus; and II We
ret the prise, ~ we shall. our idea 10 to sell
to Scrops- Saunders and divide among our
asslstants--the biggsst portion for Ourselves,
!, a. 10 only fair, since we're the ortUinators
.. Of the idea Thsre'il be nve In It. including
yourself now, and two men who are friends
Of mine Whatever happens. you're sure OF
, adventure and whatever you like to charge
, for your car and your services. II we get
i the diamond, your share will be Ave hun
I dred pounds. How does that strike your
I AS most gensrous--too generous for me
4 to accept" said Christopher.
We'll force you to accept. But never
: mind that part now. told you that q
friend with motor had failed U.S. A motor
e Ia necessary because, when we've made our
r sensation, we must be able to dash away. -
. up-to-dats highwaymen should. But OH