Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-03-11
The LADY OF BAGATELLE.

-Wide .lwake
The LADY or BAGATELLE.
A few years ago the giddy people O
Paris hal their curiosity and wonder ex
cited by strange and romantic affair.
Eugene Belmont, a young lady with
splendid fortune, and highly accomplish
ed In mind and manners, announced t
the world that she would bestow her hanc
and fortune upon any gentleman who
pleased her, but that he must be willing,
in consideration of her wealth and othel
attractions, to put up with face of un-
paralleled uginess. A certain time each
day was appointed to receive the visitors
at Bagatelle, Eagenie Belmonts lovely
residence in the vicinity of Paris.
Among the first who responded to this
singular announcement was Sir Charles
Washington, young Englishman Of no
BILE family, who had squandered a 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 in the world
of pleasure. Dashington 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 iutolerable vanity led him to suppose
that no woman could resist him, and he
thought it only necessary to present him
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
mag altcent suit of clothes, hired q
coach and four, and proceeded in t1ashiug
style in search of wealth and wife. It
was delicious day in June, and the gar
den and grounds Of Bagateue presented
scene OF rayishing beauty to the eyes
OF Sir Charles Dashington, 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,
he was met by a servant in handsome
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 mosa1cs, wrought into
quaint and curious designs; the walls
we're beautifully frcscoed, after the style
windows hungpurple silk curtains, which
trembled to the vibration of low, melan-
choly music, whose origin could not be
discovered; tables Of pearl andagate were
placed in different parts Of the room,
some of them loaded with richly-bound
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 a1mring the brilliant
saloon, door softly glided back, and
MademOisele Belmont was announced,
Washington arose, and advanced to meet
the person who entered. He was pre-
pared to see a face ugly indeed; but
when his eyes fell upon the frightful fea-
lures 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 notice 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 ofthis
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 lat first occa-
stoned After short, preliminary con-
versation, Dash4ngton ventured to ap-
proach the subject which had brought
him to Bagatelle.
Mademoisene, he said, with a low
bow, " if I did not know that the gar
den of Eden was in Asia, I should think
that had found it today in your deli
cious retreat;-
n. r es Il there i. be an e'y'ium on earth
"Sir Charles Washington is pleased to
tatter my poor Bagatelle."
Purd0nncz moi, mademoiselle. but
it is not hattery-the beauty and splen-
dor of your house and garden far surpass
all my expectations. Oh! how dream
Like might life be, passed in this lovely
spot!' exclaimed Darlington, enthusiast
tlcally. "With congenial companion
to share it's. sweets, this place would be
paradise on earth; for as Goethe says,
"''Twould be the greatest misery known
To live in Paradise atone.'"
"What do you mean by congenial
companion ?" Eugene asked.
One who possesses an approaching
love of nature; one who finds a greater
delight in books than in balls; who pre-
fers meditation and study to the frivoli-
ties OF modern society,""
"You say nothing of beauty-is not
that requisite? % demanded Eugene.
who saw the serpent lurking beneath the
flowers of his language.
"Give me the lasting beauties of the
mind, and I care not for the fading
beauties of a. pretty face" cried Dash
ington. g. e ~ ~
Soon after this the interview terminal:
ed, Eugene being summoned to meet
other suitors. AS Sir Charles rose to
uepart, Eugene told hum that he would
hear from her in week.
~ shall expect your communication
with impotence" said Darlington. bow
ing himself out.
As he crossed the long gallery to reach
his carriage, be muttered, il q tone suffi-
GENTLY loud to be overheard by servant
who kept close behind him, something
like, "What monster! But for the
gold that gilds her hideous face, I never
could have gone through that interview"
These remarks were duly reported to
Eugene Belmont, and they were not
Likely to advance Sir Charles Dashino-
toms suit. Inquiries were instituted
about his habits and prospects. and
nothing very favorable was elected: on
the contrary, it was discovered that he
hequented some OF the most notorious