The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-08-23
ny IDA RINER GLEASON

inc, writer OF greeting caro-
BOB MeTAvISH-herO, detee-
tive story writer.
PAT-the janitor who played
Cupid.
The DUCHESS-patrOn of sur
PROFESSOR BRAcEY-EsyP-
tologist.
Yesterday: Bob checks with Po-
lie. on the identity Of an EgyP-.
tian mummy expert who turned
out to be a jewel thief. Can TINS
be Professor Braeey?
CHAPTER y -.
For the next 10 days, the studio
apartment house buzzing with
preparations and excitement. Inc
Duchess fancy dress ball was the
subject OF much comment in the
papers and among the various art
groups of the city. Even the
churchmen took occasion TO eN-
press opinions on the eXtraVa-
gance. which gave the affair pup
licity enough to satisfy even the
Duchess herself. Invitations were
eagerly sought. The artists ball
became the chief subject OF con-
verSatiOn.
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 all with its unex-
pected features.
Bob hardly saw Kathleen at all.
Her head was always bent over
her desk when he glanced IN the
window, and even SchmatZ did
not stop so often at her door Tor
the bit of candy or cookie. Fat
hustled about with a worried eX-
preston on his usual cherry face,
welding his duStpan and broom
in a 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.
"it's batty as a loon she is, and
all 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 all done up with
wires and riggin' enough to drive
ANYBODY nuts that amt already
that way" Then he came closer
and asked softly out of one cor
ner of his mouth, "Ye're goin',
amt ye?"
"She invited me all right" Bob
answered, and I'll be there,
though not for the reason she
thinks. | suggested she have my
friend Steve Carnahan, from
headquarters, and not tell any
one he is coming, if she's struck
TO wear her famous emerald"
Pat nodded. She'll wear the
emerald. all right. Always does
when she gives a big blowout
Wen likely be murdered in our
tracks some day on account of 1t.
This Steve now" :,
"He's a detective, and a good
one" Bob pulled him inside the
room and closed the door. Say,
you're helping the electrician,
aren't you? Think we could INK
il so that everyone would pass IN
front of a big light-to show OIL
their costumes or somethng?"
Pat thought a minute, then ne
prinned. "Sure. Some o thin
DANES would like nothin' better.
| can put it up to the Duchess so
she'll fall for it in a big way.
Lave it to me. Wen rig up a
regular shadow-box likes down at
the Jail, and give 'em the one
over in foine shape-or for tolne
shapes rather"
The night of the big ball, kath-
leen HStlessly put on her Irish
peasant costume, and tied a green
ribbon around her head. All the
pleasure and excitement over the
party had gone, because it was
Professor Bracey who was to be
her partner for the 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 a 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 Bracey, but wnen
he would have offered an OPINION
on the subject, Kathleen made It
very plain she wished for no ad-
vice. so he had stumped away
muttering to himself.
Fittingly enough, Professor
Bracey chose to come to the ball
dressed as an Egyptian Pharaoh
Kathleen gasped with astonisn-
TO the stately figure, whose black
ewes only seemed to be alive. In
his hand he carried tiny statue
of an Egyptian god. -,
"MypS she told him, "You &C.
tually gave me a start, you look
SO regal and-and so sinister,
while you're so beautiful and
young" he replied.
>
The Duchess huge studio had
been transformed into a tropical
garden, where brilliant birds flut'
tered among the palms and exotic
flowers, and little fountains
sprayed tinted jets of water. The
soft music of stringed instru
ments drifted dreamily over the
whole scene, weaving a magic
spell of glamour that suited the
~