Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-03-10
the LADY OF BAGATELLE.

A few years ago the giddy people of
Paris had their curiosity and wonder ex-
cited by q strange and romantic affair."
Eugene Belmont, young lady with a
splendid fortune, and highly accomplish
ed LII mind and manners, announced to
the world that she would bestow her hand
and fortune upon any gentleman who
pleased her, but that he must be willing,
in consideration of her wealth and other
attractions, to put up with face of I'M
paralleled ugliness. A certain time each
day was appointed to receive the visitors
at Bagatelle, Eugene Belmont's lovely
residence In the vicinity of Paris.
Among the first who responded 10 this
singular announcement was Sir Charles
Dashington, young EngIshman of no
bile family, who had squandered O prince
" fortune in the gambling houses Of the
gay and seductive capital of France.
He eagerly seized upon this opportunity
of repairing his broken fortune, and of
establishing himself again III the world
Of pleasure. Washington was possessed
Of that Apollo-ike beauty and grace of
form and face which attracts the gaze of
artists, and wins the love of women.
His intolerable vanity led him to suppose
shat no woman could resist him, and he
GhougnJ IL only necessary co JreS,zrrt t1irr,-
self before the lady of Bagatelle in order
to win her hand, and what he valued
more, her fortune.
With this design, he attired himself in
q magnificent suit of clothes, hired a
coach and four, and proceeded in dashing
style III search of wealth and wife It
was delicious day in June, and the gar
den and grounds of Bagatelle presented
q scene OF ravishing beauty TO the eyes
Of Sir Charles Darlington, who looked
upon himself as soon to be
'Monarch OF all he surveyed
After drive of a quarter of an hour,
through winding roads bordered with
flowers, and through shady woods and
cool groves, the superb villa of Bagatelle
burst upon the sight. AS he drove up,
livery, who conducted him through an
elegant marble gallery into the reception
room. The matchless splendor of this
apartment dazzled the eyes of Sir
Charles Dashington. The floor was COM
posed of exquisite mosaics, wrought into
quaint and curious designs; the walls
were beautifully frescoed, after the style
Of Raphael; before the crimson tinted
windows hung purple silk curtains, which
tEembled TO the vibration of low, melan-
choly music, whose origin could not be
discovered; tables of pearl and agate were
placed in different parts of the room,
some of them loaded with richly-boun6
books, and others with vases of flowers,
whose odors pervaded the whole apart
ment. In one corner stood massive
cabinet containing curiosities, and mount.
ed with busts of celebrated poets, among
whom Sir Charles was pleased to see
Shakespeare and Byron.
While he was admiring the brilliant
saloon, door softly glided back, and
Mademoiselle Belmont was announced.
Darlington arose, and advanced to meet
the person who entered. He was pre-
pared to see face ugly indeed; but
when his eyes fell upon the frightfuI tea
tusres Of the lady, he started. Her lips
were w1thered and bloodless, her eyes
were sunk deep In their sockets, her
large and misshapen nose was revolving
to behold, and her skin was as dry and
yellow as that of an Egyptian mummy
Without appearing to MOTTO Dashing-
toms embarrassment, Eugene welcomed
him to Bagatelle in few sweetly spoken
words, and, to his surprise, she spoke in
English, with charming accent; for
among the many accomplishments of this
singular creature was perfect knowl-
edge of the modern languages. Sir
Charles was somewhat reassured by her
kind welcome and sweet voice, and he
succeeded In overcoming, or at least In
concealing the disgust which the horri-
BILE ugliness of her face had at first occa-
stoned After short, preliminary con-
versation, Dashngton ventured to ap-
proach the subject which had brought
him to Bagatelle.
Mademoiselle, he said, with low
bow, If L did not know that the gar
den Of Eden was in Asia, [ should think
chat had found it to-day in your deli
mous retreat;
"sFor If there be an eIysium on earth
It is this-it is this. ,"
"Sr Charles Dashington is pleased to
hater my poor Bagatelle."
Pardonnez moi, mademoiselle, but
1t lis not hattery-the beauty and splen-
dor of your house and garden far surpass
al NV ovpaDto&ioro Obi how drao,,,