Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-10-30
CHAPTER III.
THE Masked BALL

THE MA6kED BALL
CHRIsToPHER drew UP Scarlet Runner
" before the door Of the new Athenaeum
Restaurant Just as the tall porter in
dark green and gold lace was giving his
services to lady who was alighting from
the motor in front Of him. Her face was so
that he was stiffly and mechanically holding
up letter designed for delivery to the
magnificent porter for q luncheon guest. II
was not only her beauty which Christopher
That girl can't be more than twenty
four. II she's that; yet the whole history Of
the world seems looking out Of her eyes
Of the world" was the curious thought that
tumbed into his head.
Two men standing In the doorway seemed
men, an elderly major. friend OF his rich
uncle, he knew slightly. The other. who was
young. exceedingly we'll dressed. and so
good-looking as to be almost picturesque,
had pale olive features which seemed vague
ly familiar to Christopher.
les, sir; you called me, ! think. sir7"
II was the voice OF the green and gold
porter. He had handed the lady out Of tho
motor car: the motor car was gliding away:
the major was shaking hands with the pic
turesque young man.
"oh-er--yes." Christopher answered the
giant briskly. He thought that he would
not be sorry to escape a broadside from the
retired officer II want to leave this letter
for Lord Arrowdale. He's to lunch here. /
believe, and will be inauiring for q letter.
Very good, sir" said the porter, and took
the envelope But he was not quick enough
to save Christopher from the major, who
came forward and said all the things that
the esSDos TSs yoans man ma wHSS ov
and even explained without petulance his
mention Of Lord Arrowdales name. which
tho elderly gossip had caught No. don't
know him: never met him In my life. A
friend wanted him to try my car. Promised
to leave note here making an appoint
ment."
As he talked on. from tho tail of his eye
he watched the progress Of the lady. She
had been met In the doorway by the picture
csque young man. and they were speaking
togsther now with kind Of suppressed
eagerness II It had not seemed too ridicu-
iously concsited to fancy such q thing. Chris
topher would have had the idea that he was
the subject Of their conversation.
We'll, ia, Ia. Next time write old Jamey
I'll tell him his nsphew.s looking prosper.
GUS" said the major, and sidled of without
backward glance. 40 he did so, before
Christopher could guide Scarlet Runner
the girl standing In the door and urried
forward.
Il beg your pardon. but may / speak to
pedal Another car iurked ready for scarlet
Runners place. or must slip In ahead.
Whist I want 10 to ask 4 you viii lunch
q i Holding sss no.sr. sss.s Sn' o' way
Lunch with your echoed Christopher as.
tonishsd; you mistake me for bomsons
sNo, no." said the other. Major Norbvrn
has told me everything. You like adven-
turesf You are invited to arrange one"
That caught christopher. a. Il vas meant mt
perhaps no thought q o., the lady, hoping to be
here. drive my car to the garage close by.
without faiir'
without fail"
Five minutes later Christopher returned,
Walking e rapidly round the corner that nth, he
were still standing In the wide doorway Of
the fashionable new restaurant. and had not
expected him back so soon. for they were
Il was only as Christopher came close
upon them that she looked UP and saw him.
With a start Of surprise. evidently not wholly
:as; a nSass s sss a sSy
turned to welcome his guest with an i'm
pulsive air which was rather engaging. Yes,
he would wss ssr.g S.vs
possible for an Engiishman to be SO pie
tursscus In ordinary froek-coat and sill.
nss " this man .. va. .m English p,, You'll .n
that's better than to be commonplace, Isn't
"Assursdiy." said Christopher,
Z thought you'd be Of that opinion. Mr.
you know my manner
From Major Norburn. Even the narnc OF
your splendid car. It's the same as an intro
duction And now will introduce you to
Miss Dauvray Then I'll introduce myself
Ny name 10 Ponsonby Fitzgerald; and u
someone else were introducing me, he'd
probably tell you that don't do anything
In the same way as other people
Ponsonby Fitzgerald! The young mans
handsome face and figure appeared upon Its
own background now. He had written q
queer novel, which made q sensation on the
strength of Its quserness; and out OF the
novel he had woven . play which owed itt
success to the same quality. People knew
him and talked Of him still. though he had
not since written another novel or another
play There were things about him In ths
papers sometimes He went to country
houses, and was said to be entertaining.
They went In to luncheon. Mr.. Fttxgera1t
had engaged table which was laid with
two covers but In an instant II was re
arranged for three. "And now for bus
ness" exclaimed Fitzgerald In his lively, en-
thusiaatic way which made him seem yer,
boyish. though his years might have beer
twenty-nins or thirty Miss Dauyray and
have an important lob on for the last da!
OF March--or rather. II win be the hrst 9
April by the time It's found out; wherein
will lie the Joke. And were going to pro
pose that you shall be the Co. In our part
"A Tho Southern girl neither assented nor pro
tested though Fitzgerald challenged he
with his great daring black eyes sh