The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-07-11

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hibits.
With much pomp and dignity. the
Judges announced that they had given
their award to Exhibit No. M-and ~
they made their declaration, the
drapes were drawn aside. They had.
fortunately for their reputation, made
the designation by number instead Of
the title Of the subject-for before
their eyes, under the number "a, hung
''The Purple Mask"
The crowd applauded the decision.
and having once made 1t the judges,
despite their chagrin and astonish-
ment, could not reverse themselves.
Paul Duvelle was beside himself with
Joy, and in his excitement he would
have exposed Pat to the suspicion of
being his model.
Pat had adroitly lost herself in the
crowd, where Paul could not easily
find her.
"How glad am that you have won,"
said the girl when, little later, she
congratulated the young artist. 1--WE
shall celebrate tonight with party
at the studio, and I'll pay the ex-
penses." And Paul. in the rapture Of
his happiness, was further delighted
| in the prospect.
Sphinx Kelly heard all about 1.-THE
Purple Mask" and suspected that
Pat was the beautiful model. He like
wise presumed that there would be
celebration in the artists colony and
| was ON hand that night, waiting in
the street. when Pat and Jacques ar
rived at the students quarters. i
Pat failed to penetrate Kelly's clev-
er disguise. The Sphinx felt sure that
he was following an interesting lead,
and WAS among the crowd of artists
who assembled In Paul's studio, all In
fantastic garb and In high spirits.
Jakobski, half Wild in rage and dis
appointment, because his plans had
been frustrated, determined that he
should be avenged upon the perpe-
traitor Of the trick that had SO decid-
edly upset his ambitions.
There were always henchmen at
hand to do his bidding. and Jakobsh
had Paul followed to his studio. when
he went home in triumph with his
prize. Jakobsli's man learned Of the
celebration-and Jakobski determined
to be present.
He had most of the afternoon in
which to formulate his plans, and kept
his servants busy in perfecting details
of the arrangements. When evening
came Jakobsd had everything re-
hearsed and ready to proceed. With
u party of burly henchmen, he burst In
upon the revelers at Pauls studio sud
denly and unannounced.
1--WE are gendarmes," shouted Jak.
obski. land you are all under arrest"
Pat was. at the moment. standing.
In the middle Of a table. passing out
cakes to the throng. dancing around
in her joyousness and inspiring the
revelers in their mad fun. When
Jakobski and his gang burst through
the door. Pat waited only for the an
nouncement he made.
Then she smashed the lamp hang
Ing over her head, and threw the
studio Into darkness.
Sphinx Kelly was In the thickest of
the tight. Somebody opened the door
and the crowd surged out Of the studio
and down the stairs.
| Sphinx Kelly seemed to be the spe-
cial object of attack, and Jakobski's
men kept him busy repelling their as
saults. In the scramble and fighting
Pat managed to avoid collisions, and
was near Jacques when she saw Kel-
~ fighting his way, against odds, as he
descended the stairway to the street
Grasping Jacques and pulling him
after her. Pat was soon clambering
down stairs, eager to keep Kelly with
In sight. Just as she reached the
street she saw the Sphinx being un-
ceremoniOusly thrown into an automo-
bile.
To her Apache friends who had
come with Jacques as a special guard
to the Queen of the Underworld" the
| girl gave orders that the automobile
bearing Kelly from the scene must be
kept in sight. Then tumbling into the
machine that had brought her to the
studio, Pat was soon following the
gang who had kidnapped Kelly.
The race was sharp and spirited,
and Pats driver brought his machine
to halt just in time for the girl to
see Kelly being carried. struggling, in
to a ramshackle building. The door
slammed behind prisoner and captives,
and Pat was halted by the impassa-
BILE barrier.
| The girl noticed a door that led to
short flight OF stairs, and, with
Jacques closely following. she mount
ed to the floor above the street. She
listened intently to the scuffle and
sharp voices that reached her ears
from tho rom below She heard
heavy doors slide upon their rollers.
Then Jakobski and his gang scrambled
to get away.