The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-23
CHAPTER x

For the next 10 days, the studio apartment house was buzzing with preparations and excitement. The Duchess fancy dress bah was the subject of much comment in the papers and among the various art groups of the city. Even the churchmen took occasion to express opinions on the eXtravagance, which gave the affair publicity enough to satisfy even the Duchess herself. Invitations were eagerly sought. The Artists Ball became the chief subject of conversation.
 A steady stream of workmen and decorators filed up and down the stairway, doing marvellous things to the Duchess big studio. though everyone was sworn to deep secrecy, so that the ball might dazzle oil with It's uneX- peeted features.
 Bob hardly saw Kathleen at all Her head was always bent over her desk when he glanced In the window, and even Sehmatz did not stop SO often ct her door for the bit of candy or cookie, Pat bustNsd about with worried eX- preSsion on his usual cheery face, yielding his dustpan and broom in hopeless effort to keep the litter out of the halls, while the shrill temperamental voice of the Duchess could be heard from morning until night directing and complaining.
 "1t's patty as a loon she Is, and oil the rest O us'll be the same, I'm thinkin'," Pat told Bob when he opened his door to discover the reason for an especially loud outburst. Were oil done up with wires and riggin' enough to drive anybody nuts that ain't already that way" Then he came closer and asked softly out of one corner Of his mouth, We're goin', amt yeq"
 "Dhe invited me all right" Bob answered, "and I'll be there, though not for tho reason she thinks. suggested she have my friUnd Steve carnahan, from headquarters, and not tell any ono he's coming, she's stuck to wear her famous emerald"
 Fat nodded. shell wear the emerald oil right, Always does when she gives c big blowout, We'll likely bo murdered In our tracks some day on account O it, This Steve now7"
 He's q detective. and Q good one." Bob pulled him inside the room and closed the door, "say, you're helping the electrician, aren't you2 Think we could AK 1t 60 that everyone would pass in front of e big light--to show of their costumes or Somethlng7"
 Pat thought c minute, then he grinned. Sure, Some O thin danes would like nothln' better. I can put it up to the Duchess 50 she'll fall for it In q big way. Lave it to me, We'll rig up c regular Shadow.box likes down at the jail, and give 'om the one.over in foine shape -- or for foine shapes rather"
 The night of the big ball, Kath- leen iistlessly put on her Irish peasant costume, and tied c green ribbon around her head. All tho pleasure and excitement over the party had gone, because it was Professor Braeey who was to be her partner for tho evening, Once or twice she had heard Bob and his dog pass her door and had hoped they would stop. But al. ways they had gone on, while she reluctantly turned back to her desk. often Q tear splattered down on some gay verse of love and summer and happiness. Pat had scowlingly delivered daily gifts of flowers, candy or books from Professor Braeey but when ho would have offered an opinion on the subject, Kathleen made it very plain she wished for no ad. vice, 50 he had stumped away muttering to himself,
 Fittingiy enough, Professor Bra. cey chose to como Co the ball dressed as an Egyptian Pharaoh