按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
as he whirled about； his mustache； still frozen； seemed gemmed with
diamonds and turned the light in varicolored rays； while the flying
feet slipped on the chunks of ice which rattled from his moccasins and
German socks。 A Northland dance is quite an informal affair； the men
of the creeks and trails having lost whatever fastidiousness they
might have at one time possessed； and only in the high official
circles are conventions at all observed。 Here； caste carried no
significance。 Millionaires and paupers； dog…drivers and mounted
policemen joined hands with 'ladies in the center；' and swept around
the circle performing most remarkable capers。 Primitive in their
pleasure； boisterous and rough； they displayed no rudeness； but rather
a crude chivalry more genuine than the most polished courtesy。
In his quest for the 'Greek Dancer；' Cal Galbraith managed to get
into the same set with the 'Russian Princess；' toward whom popular
suspicion had turned。 But by the time he had guided her through one
dance； he was willing not only to stake his millions that she was
not Freda； but that he had had his arm about her waist before。 When or
where he could not tell； but the puzzling sense of familiarity so
wrought upon him that he turned his attention to the discovery of
her identity。 Malemute Kid might have aided him instead of
occasionally taking the Princess for a few turns and talking earnestly
to her in low tones。 But it was Jack Harrington who paid the
'Russian Princess' the most assiduous court。 Once he drew Cal
Galbraith aside and hazarded wild guesses as to who she was； and
explained to him that he was going in to win。 That rankled the
Circle City King； for man is not by nature monogamic； and he forgot
both Madeline and Freda in the new quest。
It was soon noised about that the 'Russian Princess' was not Freda
Moloof。 Interest deepened。 Here was a fresh enigma。 They knew Freda
though they could not find her； but here was somebody they had found
and did not know。 Even the women could not place her； and they knew
every good dancer in the camp。 Many took her for one of the official
clique； indulging in a silly escapade。 Not a few asserted she would
disappear before the unmasking。 Others were equally positive that
she was the woman…reporter of the Kansas City Star； come to write them
up at ninety dollars per column。 And the men at the scales worked
busily。
At one o'clock every couple took to the floor。 The unmasking began
amid laughter and delight； like that of carefree children。 There was
no end of Oh's and Ah's as mask after mask was lifted。 The
scintillating 'Aurora Borealis' became the brawny negress whose income
from washing the community's clothes ran at about five hundred a
month。 The twin 'Sun…Dogs' discovered mustaches on their upper lips；
and were recognized as brother Fraction…Kings of El Dorado。 In one
of the most prominent sets； and the slowest in uncovering； was Cal
Galbraith with the 'Spirit of the Pole。' Opposite him was Jack
Harrington and the 'Russian Princess。' The rest had discovered
themselves； yet the 'Greek Dancer' was still missing。 All eyes were
upon the group。 Cal Galbraith； in response to their cries； lifted
his partner's mask。 Freda's wonderful face and brilliant eyes
flashed out upon them。 A roar went up； to be squelched suddenly in the
new and absorbing mystery of the 'Russian Princess。' Her face was
still hidden； and Jack Harrington was struggling with her。 The dancers
tittered on the tiptoes of expectancy。 He crushed her dainty costume
roughly； and then… and then the revelers exploded。 The joke was on
them。 They had danced all night with a tabooed native woman。
But those that knew； and they were many； ceased abruptly； and a hush
fell upon the room。 Cal Galbraith crossed over with great strides；
angrily； and spoke to Madeline in polyglot Chinook。 But she retained
her composure； apparently oblivious to the fact that she was the
cynosure of all eyes； and answered him in English。 She showed
neither fright nor anger； and Malemute Kid chuckled at her well…bred
equanimity。 The King felt baffled； defeated； his common Siwash wife
had passed beyond him。
'Come！' he said finally。 'Come on home。'
'I beg pardon；' she replied； 'I have agreed to go to supper with Mr。
Harrington。 Besides； there's no end of dances promised。'
Harrington extended his arm to lead her away。 He evinced not the
slightest disinclination toward showing his back； but Malemute Kid had
by this time edged in closer。 The Circle City King was stunned。
Twice his hand dropped to his belt； and twice the Kid gathered himself
to spring； but the retreating couple passed through the supper…room
door where canned oysters were spread at five dollars the plate。 The
crowd sighed audibly； broke up into couples； and followed them。
Freda pouted and went in with Cal Galbraith； but she had a good
heart and a sure tongue； and she spoiled his oysters for him。 What she
said is of no importance； but his face went red and white at
intervals； and he swore repeatedly and savagely at himself。
The supper…room was filled with a pandemonium of voices； which
ceased suddenly as Cal Galbraith stepped over to his wife's table。
Since the unmasking considerable weights of dust had been placed as to
the outcome。 Everybody watched with breathless interest。
Harrington's blue eyes were steady； but under the overhanging
tablecloth a Smith & Wesson balanced on his knee。 Madeline looked
up； casually； with little interest。
'May… may I have the next round dance with you？' the King stuttered。
The wife of the King glanced at her card and inclined her head。