Owingsville outlook., 1922-10-12

"Sull Ha.s an American now. Calls
hin self Henry GramOnt, and would
drop IL, lrirre stuff altogether If these
French je.I- around here would let
him"
A page b.u. ,Nt ts, domino. Fell,
discardinG the mask -u.eys he domino
about his shoulders, a.u 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, filled
with an eddying. laughing crowd of
masquerS and merrymakers of all ages
and sexes; confetti twirled through
the air, horns were deafening, and
laughing voices rose into sharp screams
of mreStraincd delight.
At last gaining st. Charles avenue,
with the Malllard residence 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 Il 1.-the figure approach
ing from the rear: with running leap
and an exclamation of delight the fig
ure forced itself in between them,
grasping an arm of either man, and
bantering voice broke in upon their
train Of talk
Forfeit" :" It cried. "FOrfelt-where
are your masks. sober gentlemen? This
grave physician may be pardoned, but
not domino who refuses to mass
And for forfeit you shall he my escort
and take me whittier you are going"
Laughing. the two fell into step,
glancing at the gay figure between
them. \ ColumbIne, 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
II was evident that she had recognized
them.
Willingly. fair COlumbine," respond
ed Fell in his dry and unimpassioned
tone Of voice. I'VE shall be most happy
indeed To protect and take you with
us"
$50 far as the door, at least" inter
rupted AnSlpy, with evident caution.
But Fell drlly laughed aside this wary
limitation.
NAY. good physician, fartherr =" went
on Fell. Our Columbine has an excel
lent passport, 7 assure you. This gauzy
scarf about hNr 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-"
"OhI" From the ,o' ubine broke a
cry Of warnic- nd swift dismay.
Don't y"r daTc s.a. "v me. sir
dom wa taraT"
F. o. urad witt i ynuckle, and
sub .-
Ans y regarded his two companions
with sidelong curiosity. He could not
recognize COlumbine, 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, = seemed that Fell knew
their con'g.A'0n, and accepted her as a
f,I' wv ~ --5 at the Maillard .ouse.
What rr ..G DOING out on the
n"I d Fell sud-
-Clly'- a.. n friends ~
relatives to axe tale ..
COlumbine's laughter pc. I'd and
she pressed Fell'S arm con ..n-t.
"Havc / Ut some little rights ia the
wOrlG mouNIeur7" she said in French.
81 h,.. ne"r ngling with the dear
crowds "" ,u lying them, before | go
to be burleG in the dull splendOrs Of
the rich mans house. Tell me, do you
think that the Midnight Masquer will
make an appearance tOnight?"
81 have every reason to believe that
he WILL" said Jachin Fell, gravely.
COlumbine put one hand to he
throat, and shivered trifle.
"YOu-yOu really think so? SOu are
not trying to frighten me?" Her voice
was no longer gay. "But-the jewels
If they are taken by the Masquer-"
"In thar case," said Fell, "let the
| blame be mine entirely. If they are
lost, little Columbine, others will be
! lost with them. fear not l 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"