White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1922-05-28

80 -. - W.
dancing through the great rooms like
a true Columbine.
Midnight neared, and brought q con
Germ TO many the Midnight Masquer
had gained his name by invariably
appearing a moment or two before the
stroke of twelve. joachim Fell, who
divided his time between enjoying the
smoking room and wandering about
among the masquers, perceived that
Joseph Maillard was watching the
time with anxiety.
A large man, stern and n bit scorn-
rather than handsome. He appeared
the typical banker, efficient, devoid of
all sentiment. Amused by the mans
evident uneasiness, joachim Fell kept
him In view while the moments
dragged. One might have thought
that the little gray man was studying
the %financler as an entomologist
studies a butterfly on a pin.
Shortly before twelve Columbine
plrouetted up TO Fell and accepted the
arm he offered her. They were for
the moment alone, In a corner of the
ballroom.
II must see you tomorrow, please"
she breathed.
Gladly" he assented. May | call?
It's Sunday, you know
III you Will at three. Something
has happened, but I cannot speak of II
here. Does any one else know that
you-that YOU are interested in my
affairsf"
The pale gray eyes of the little gray
man looked very innocent and wonder
ing.
Certainly not, my dear. WhyY"
I'll tell you tomorrow" Then she
broke into a laugh. well, it is mid
highland the MasQuer has not ap-
peared. I'm almost sorry"
The lights fickered on for a mo-
ment, then OF again. The signal for
unmaskingi
The dancing ceased. From the whole
room arose a babel OF voices-cries
Of surprise, EXPLANATIONS. merry
iduEiltI- AVluLlDlnC ItiuOh tu ACI
mask. An instant later Joseph Mail
lard approached them, chuckling to
himself and looking hugely relieved.
TIA, Luciei l guessed you beneath
the Colunbine daintinessi Have you
examined your favor YETI"
Remembering, the girl caught at her
corsage. Cries Of delight were arising
on all sides as the fayors were re-
vealed-most handsome favors, eve
for Mardi Grasl From the heart Of
the rosebuds In her hand Lucie re-
moved a brooch of old filigree work
set with a group OF pearls. She
alanced about for Jachin Fell. but he
had vanished with Maillard. A voice
rose at her elbow:
"Mademoiselle. you are not less
lucky than beautiful, Pearls TO the
PEARL"
She turned To see the Franciscan-
no longer masked, but now gazing at
her from a frank. laughing counte-
nance, still partially yelled by the
brown cowl that was drawn up close
about his head.
Henry Gramont! :" she exclaimed.
"oh, / half suspected that 1t was you
-
But you were not sure?" he
chuckled. You're not offended with
me. Lucief'
~ should be-" She tossed her head.
You were impertinent. NJ. lie prince :"
lie made a dis%tasteful gesture.
None OF that, Lucie! You know
don't like tt"
"Oh, In. la :" she Knocked him. IN.
le prince Is seeing America, nest C
pas? lie has come To America To find
u rich wife. is II not?"
Gramont's face lost its smile. and
suddenly became almost harsh.
Il shall call upon you at four to-
morrow. Lucie.H he said, abruptly, and
turned. Nor did he pause To get her
reply. An instant afterward Lueie was
surrounded by II merry group of
friends, and she saw no mere Of Hen
~ Gramont.
About five minutes later those In the
ballroom distinctly heard, through the
open windows. the heavy pulsations Of
an airplane motor.