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and what with cutting； and fitting； and basting； and stitching； and
numerous other wonderful and unknowable things； the male
conspirators were more often banished the premises than not。 At such
times the Opera House opened its double storm…doors to them。 So
often did they put their heads together； and so deeply did they
drink to curious toasts； that the loungers scented unknown creeks of
incalculable richness； and it is known that several che…cha…quas and
at least one Old…Timer kept their stampeding packs stored behind the
bar； ready to hit the trail at a moment's notice。
Mrs。 Eppingwell was a woman of capacity； so； when she turned
Madeline over to her trainers on Thanksgiving Night she was so
transformed that they were almost afraid of her。 Prince wrapped a
Hudson Bay blanket about her with a mock reverence more real than
feigned； while Malemute Kid； whose arm she had taken； found it a
severe trial to resume his wonted mentorship。 Harrington； with the
list of purchases still running through his head； dragged along in the
rear； nor opened his mouth once all the way down into the town。 When
they came to the back door of the Opera House they took the blanket
from Madeline's shoulders and spread it on the snow。 Slipping out of
Prince's moccasins； she stepped upon it in new satin slippers。 The
masquerade was at its height。 She hesitated； but they jerked open
the door and shoved her in。 Then they ran around to come in by the
front entrance。
III
'Where is Freda？' the Old…Timers questioned； while the
che…cha…quas were equally energetic in asking who Freda was。 The
ballroom buzzed with her name。 It was on everybody's lips。 Grizzled
'sour…dough boys；' day…laborers at the mines but proud of their
degree； either patronized the spruce…looking tenderfeet and lied
eloquently… the 'sour…dough boys' being specially created to toy
with truth… or gave them savage looks of indignation because of
their ignorance。 Perhaps forty kings of the Upper and Lower
Countries were on the floor； each deeming himself hot on the trail and
sturdily backing his judgment with the yellow dust of the realm。 An
assistant was sent to the man at the scales； upon whom had fallen
the burden of weighing up the sacks； while several of the gamblers；
with the rules of chance at their finger…ends； made up alluring
books on the field and favorites。
Which was Freda？ Time and again the 'Greek Dancer' was thought to
have been discovered； but each discovery brought panic to the
betting ring and a frantic registering of new wagers by those who
wished to hedge。 Malemute Kid took an interest in the hunt； his advent
being hailed uproariously by the revelers； who knew him to a man。
The Kid had a good eye for the trick of a step； and ear for the lilt
of a voice； and his private choice was a marvelous creature who
scintillated as the 'Aurora Borealis。' But the Greek dancer was too
subtle for even his penetration。 The majority of the gold…hunters
seemed to have centered their verdict on the 'Russian Princess；' who
was the most graceful in the room； and hence could be no other than
Freda Moloof。
During a quadrille a roar of satisfaction went up。 She was
discovered。 At previous balls； in the figure； 'all hands round；' Freda
had displayed an inimitable step and variation peculiarly her own。
As the figure was called； the 'Russian Princess' gave the unique
rhythm to limb and body。 A chorus of I…told…you…so's shook the squared
roof…beams； when lo！ it was noticed that 'Aurora Borealis' and another
masque； the 'Spirit of the Pole；' were performing the same trick
equally well。 And when two twin 'Sun…Dogs' and a 'Frost Queen'
followed suit； a second assistant was dispatched to the aid of the man
at the scales。
Bettles came off trail in the midst of the excitement； descending
upon them in a hurricane of frost。 His rimed brows turned to cataracts
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 Mal