Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-05-04

were sacred az those of the Bona Dea;
but at one side of the window was
placed a tall sheet of looking.glass some
two feet wide. While the two friends
were gazing at the temple of fashion,
the one dubbed over with remarks on
the ingenuity of French women. the
other watched them in silence as they
passed that looking.glass. He remenl-
bered a method of snaring birds by
like means and smiled grimly. One
lady just touched her bonnet in front,
another her braids behind. One
stopped and deliberately arranged the
lace ut her throat, another glanced
hurriedly at the glass and then darted
across the road mute defiance OF the
observer. Even Il bonnetles work-girl
caught a look, as she slipped back to
her work; and large nurse, whose
beauty was no more than health and
amiability, shifted her small burden
tenderly, while she laid some large
fingers on the crisp border of her cap.
The two gentlemen were still staring
across the street, when tiny broug-
ham drove quickly up to the yelled
window.
..Who is she! Who can she be
cried Mr.. Airey, and added In a
breath, ':upon my word remarkably
pretty. One can see in 4 moment the
French women of the world-grace,
elegance, wit. ;,
1T is my wife," said Mr.. Armstead,
dryly. The Englishman was over
whelmed with confusion: II beg your
pardon-1beg yonr pardon; I had no
idea, H.
"Won't you allow me the pleasure OF
presenting you to Mrs. Armstead !!
s'Thanks, thanks; delighted | am
sure. But do you think we may so in
two men, you know?" =
81 am not afraid for myself, said
the Bostonian.
The front room of Nine. Lalouette
was tenated only by gowns, erect upon
wire frames. ':Dress extenders ehs!'
said Mr.. Airey. "Ayerage women,.
observed Mr.. Armstead: but there was
a twinkle in his eye which softened
the severity of the remark. From an
inner apartment, which was seen
through open folding doors, come the
rattle of two shrill French voices, one
voluble in the language OF the country,
the other almost as effective in mix
ture of French and fantastic English.
They were the voices Of Nine. Laloutte
and of "Mees," so called in the estab'
lishment in consequence of her almost
miraculous knowledge of our barbar-
Gus language. The double stream OF
persuasion, defamation and eXclama-
ton, was occaionally interrupted by a
third voice high but not loud, and with
a very pleasant pronunciation OF
French. Evidently the lady was not
satisfied, for her tone was little pa
thetic. Mr.. Atrey hung back in alarm;
but Mr.. Armstead courteously waving
him forward, sta liked through the open
doors with the unruffled calm OF a red
Indian. "Prudence, he said, will you
permit me to present to you my friend
Mr.. Airey! 2
II am afraid, really am awfully
afraid that am intruding here, SAID
the polite Englishman.
"Why, no. said the lady with 4
slight delay on each word to emphasize
her negative and she added, :'you can
help me to choose winter jacket. Do
you like that" and she pointed to. a
garment which was floating up and
down the room on an elegant young
person, who had risen in life by the
remarkable fall in her back.
'.Charming, charming! upon my word
exceedingly pretty"
(which do you meant" asked the
lady. demurely. Mr.. Airey was de-
lighted. These little American women
have so much self.possession and so
much spirit. They are friendly with
out being fast. His heart warmed to
her, as it does to all pretty women.
lie enjoys their society as he delights
in Paris. In their presence he feels
himself kindled to wit when they are
gone. he will moralize on them by the
hour. He is ever ready to ''break a
comparison or two on 4 charming
lady. ut must be a strange life he
observed, lowering his voice, ''this
sweeping up and down and bending OF
the body under other peoples jack
ets.'' ..
"My figure is my fortune, remarked
Mr.. Armstead, who was standing very
upright by his wife, and staring at the
gliding garment.
':Why, it must be delightful !" ex'
claimed Mrs. Armstead, ''Only fancy
being always sure to have on the very
latest thing"
"Good gracious! how frivolous J!
thought Mr.. Airey.
'lt is evident that must go to my
BANKER said the lady's husband
''Shall L have the pleasure of you,
company. sir, or do you remain among
the Jackets p
The lady looked an invitation pref
tily.
''How charming!' thought Mr.. Al
rey !; and he said, II think, if Mrs
Armstead will allow me, l will stol
and put her into her carriage" Thu
lady smiled, and the husband stalket
off alone to his banker. The English
man now bloomed into talk with 81
much sprightliness and vivacity, tha
Nine. Lalouette was reduced to fixet
smile of appreciation, and Mees could
no longer display her uniqe power OF
language. Mrs. Armstead rewarded
her cavalier with occasional smile!
and mods, while she gave her undivid
ed attention to the business before
her. She liked prattle at her ear
and had the rare gift of seeming to I'M
derstand it, ~: = 80
Having finally decided how the jack
ct was to be cut, how it was to be dec
Grated, and what it was to cost, sllt
became light:hearted, and for sconver
sation sake began to babble of hel
doubts. She wondered if she hat
chosen right. Did he think that thu
shape would 90 with the latest gowns
Was it too heavy! To all these ques
tions she waited for an answer, bu
stepped daintily into her brougham
Then she gave the gentleman some fin
gers beautifully gloved through tn
window, and said smiling, II have
half a mind to go back and counter
mand it. Would you be so good as K
tell me the time! Thank you so much
How late And have forgotten little
Bobby medicine again. I guess
won't go back about the jacket
Home! - Thereupon she was swept
away, leaving Mr.. Airey with his hat
- 4 =: I. ~ ~ - T.