White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1922-05-21
say he's become quite popular in

married the prince de Gramont an in
ternational affair of the past genera
| ton. De Gramont led her q dogs life,
l hear, until he was killed in q duel.
| She lived in Paris with the boy, sent
| him to school here at home, and he
! was at Yale when the wal broke out.
He was technically n French subject,
SO he went back to serve his time.
"Still, he's an American now. Calls
himself Henry Gramont, and would
drop the prince stuff altogether II these
French people around here would let
him.
A page brought the domino. Fell,
discardlng the mask, threw the domino
about his shoulders, and the two men
left the club In company.
They sought their destination afoot
the home of the banker Joseph Mail
lard. The streets were riotous, filed
with an eddying. laughing crowd of
masquers and merrymakers of all yes
and sexes; confetti twirled through
the air, horns were deafening. and
laughing voices rose into sharp screams
of unrestrained delight.
At last gaining st. Charles avenue,
with the Maillard residence n half
dozen blocks distant, the two compan-
ions found themselves well away from
the main carnival throngs.
As they walked along they were sud-
denly aware of a 1.-the figure approach
ing from the rear; with a running leap
.1l ~ a-aI...so- - A.lful. ~. n
ure forced itself In between them,
graeping an arm Of either man, and
a bantering voice broke In upon their
train OF talk.
Forfeit ~ IL cried. "Forfeit-where
are your masks, sober. gentlemen This
not a domino who refuses to mask /!
And for forfeit you shall be my escort
and take me whittier you are going"
Laughing. the two fell into step,
~glaDcing at the gay figure between
them. A Columblne, she was both
cloaked and masked. EncirclIng her
hair was a magnificent scarf shot with
metal designs of solid gold-a most
unusual thing. Also. from her words
IL was evident that she had recognized
them.
Willingly. fair Columbine," respond
ed Fell in his dry and unlmpassioned
tone Of voice. I'VE shall be most happy
indeed 10 protect and take you with
US"
$50 far as the door, at least" inter-
rupted Ansley, with evident caution.
But Fell drily laughed aside this wary
limitation.
NAY, good physician, farther :" went
on Fell. "Our Columblne has an excel
lent passport, assure you. This gauzy
scarf about her raven tresses was
woven for the good Queen Hortense,
and ] would venture a random guess
that, clasped about her slender throat.
lies the queens collar of star sap
phires-"
"0h !" From the Columbine broke a
cry OF warning and swift dismay.
Don't you dare speak my ane sir
don't you dare"
Fell assented with a chuckle, and
subsidized.
Ansley regarded his tive companions
with sidelong curiosity. He could not
recognize C~olumbine, and he could not
tell whether Fell was speaking OF the
scarf and jewels In Jest or earnest.
Such historic things were not uncom-
mon in New Orleans, yet Ansley never
heard Of these particular treasures.
However, il seemed that Fell knew
their companion, and accepted her as q
fellow guest at the Maillard house.
"What are you doing out on the
streets alone;' demanded Fell, sud
denly. Haven't you any friends or
relatives to take care of you?"
Columbine's laughter pealed out, and
she pressed FelIs arm %confidingly.
Have ! not some little rights in the
world, MONSIEUR she said in French.
e" have been mingling with the dear
crowds and enjoying them, before | go
10 be buried in the dull splendors of
the rich mans house. Tell me. do you
think that the Midnight Masquer will
make an appearance t~onight?'
Il have every reason 10 believe that
he will" said joachim Fell. gravely.
Columbine put n hand to her
throat, and shlvered a tri1e.
"You-you really think So? You are
not trying 10 Brighten me?' Her voice
was no longer gay. "But-the jewels
II they are taken by the Masquer-'
in that case" said Fell, 'let the
blame be mine entirely. II they are
lost, little Columbine, others will be
lost with them, fear not I think that
this party would be "A rich haul for the
Masquer, eh? Take the rich man and
his friends-they could bear plucking,
that crowd. Rogues ALL"
"Confound you, Fell" exclaimed
Ansley, uneasily. IF the bandit does
show up there would be the very devil
to pay !"
"And Maillard would do the paying"
Fell's dry ehuckle held a note of Bit
terness. Let him. Who cares7 Look
at his house. there, blazing with lights.
Why pays for those lightsf The people
- - Ill