White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1922-06-25
SYNOPSIS

i. SYNOPSIS
CHAPTER I.-During the height OF the
New Orleans carnival season joachim Fell.
wealthy though somewhat mysterious cite
izen, and DIR. Ansley, are discussing .
series Of robberies by an Individual known
a. the Midnight Masquer. who, Invariably
attired as an aviator. has long defied the
police. Joseph Maillard. wealthy banker.
Ii giving a ball that night, at which the
Masquer has threatened to appear and
rob the guests. Fell and Ansley, on their
way TO the AFFAIR. meet a girl dressed as
Columbine, seemingly known TO Fell. but
masked. who accompanies them to the
ball.
CHAPTER If.-Lucie Ledanois. recent
ly the ward of her uncle, Joseph Mall
lard, In the Columbine.
CHAPTER HIN his library Joseph
Naillard and Q group OF friends are held
Up n robbed by the Midnight Masquer.
CHAPTER Iv.-Lucie Ledanois, the last
of an old family, is in straitened circum-
stances. Joseph Maillard's handling Of
an old friend OF her parents and deeply
interested in the girl. Henry Gramont.
really the prince de Gramont. son of
but who spurns the title of prince. IL
enamored Of Lucie and believes himself
a not unfavored sutton.
8tAftA TN fa-oidI1OHl
Hammond, sergeant In the American
army In France. n there known TO
9ramont, lives with him. He was the
original Midnight Masquer, and Gramont,
for n particular purpose, after discover
ing Hammond's activities. assumes the
role. Where Hammond had been a rob-
Der for financial gain, Gramont. OF
the loot, TO those whom he has robbed.
The Jewels and money. in Individual pack
ages. are got ready for delivery next day
20 their original owners. That night they
are stolen from Gramont's auto.
CHAPTER vI-Ben Cacherre. an In
diyidual Of unsavory character, appears
20 be associated with Jachin Fell. He
has a peculiar interview with one Mem
phis Icy Gumberts. notorious influential
crook, IN which there In significant refer
ence to a mysterious boss"
CHAPTER vn-Juc,e summons era
mont to her home and how him the
packages from his auto. He admits he
is the Midnight Masquer.. but oonvinces
her that he had no thought of robbery
lie refuses. however. TO explain his pur-
pose. The packages are returned to
their owners.
CHAPTER vIfr.-That evening Fell,
Gramont, and DIR. Ansley. at the krewe
of comus ball. are accosted BY an IN
toxicated masked individual whom they
recognize as Bob Maillard. lie invites
them TO a convivial party I'm a private
room. They refuse. and Grarnont leaves
the building. Joseph Maillard seeks his
son, fearing public scandal as a result OF
Bob's condition. With Fell and Ansley
they ind the room where the reveis are
going on. Entering they discover an In
OF robb.ng the intoxicated youths. H.
a struggle that ensues Maillard Is shot
n killed. The "Masquer' escapes.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
What" Maillard clenched his
stick and took n forward step. anger
working in his faee. "What the devil
d'you meani"
Exactly what | say-and perhaps /
can prove II. Remember the oil con
Germ TO which you persuaded your
precious father tn sell some Of Miss
Ledanois' Bayou land? Remember the
real estate company To which you per-
suaded him to sell her st. Landry par
lsh property? You had interests In
both concerns; | don't imagine you'd
care 10 have your share In those trans
actions exposed. Further. l entirely
understand your Indignation over my
getting rid OF this stock before the
crash, and II III becomes you TO assume
any snch attitude.
Maillard glared at him for n long
moment, a red tide OF rage flooding
and ebbing from his heavy counte-
nance. Then. mastering himself. he
turned away without further speech.
Leaving Hammond to take the car
home. Grament headed for Canal
street to minele with the carnival
crowd and revel In his new-found
sense of freedom. Now that he was
his own master. he felt like n new
man. With a hoyish abandon he
tramped the streets merrily, exchang-
ing jests and confetti, shoves and
bladder-blows, laughs and kisses. Mad
ness and reckless gayety were In the
very air, and Gramont drank deep OF
these youthful tonics. When ut last
he wandered home to his pension, he
was footsore. weary, dlsarranged and
tousled-and very happy. The wine
Of human ~comradeship is q good wine.
That evening the Comus ball, the
most exclusive revel of the most ex-
elusive arlstocraey of the southland.
CToNutu Inc tulllNt III WIieA ~ huc
held TO capacity. Here evening dress
was prescribed for all the guests. The
Krewe of .Comus alone were masked
and costumed, In grotesque and mag
nificent costumes which had been In
the making for months. The Krewe
is to the South what the Bohemian
club Is to the western coast. with the
added enhancement of mystery.
Despite the revels of the Krewe,
however-desplte the glittering jewels.
the barbaric costumes, the music. the
excitement-an indefinable air OF re-
greet, almost Of sadness, p%ervaded the
entire gathering. This feeling was
something to be sensed, rather than
observed definitely. Some said, after
ward, that 1t was n ~premonition OF
the terrible event that was to happen
this night. Wrong! 1t was because.
for the first time In many generations.
the Comus ball was held In one Of the
newer public buildings instead Of In