Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-11-13
NO. 269.
Gales ana Skettbes.
A BITING rEST.
Continued from Yesterday }

Perhaps he is like the rest, fortune
hunter. and would not love me for myself.
She said, sweeping off $1,000 worth of
gold that lay upon her table. to roll over
the floor. But no; it was dark. He could
not have seen my silken attire. But for
my beauty. perhaps. o fatal gift. would
be loved for myself. If could lead him
to think me poor and ugly" she mutter-
ed. Il could test his love for me. But
how? could dress poorly. but how can
disguise this magnificent beauty?"
She fell into deep meditation. As she
sat. there came the sound OF low. spitefhl
humming from without. Thousands of
mosquitoes were skipping and dancing
viciously outside the envious net. One of
the envious insects had found its way into
the room. True to its instinct, il alighted
upon the hand of Florence Constance
Pommery. 1t cautiously inserted its sting
into the soft tissue. There was scream,
a slap. and the mosquito lay dead, while
a broad, red blotch rose upon the perfect
skin. Even mosquito has its uses. The
audacious insect had taught the noble girl
the way TO test her lovers heart. She a
rose with n bound. Il have il" she cried.
IL can disguise both wealth and beauty,
and then. O Clarence Claude st. John. we
shall see if thou wilt stand the test have
sworn, and when did Pommery break
an oatll?"
Three days later. II is midnight, and
the light of solitary candle ditluses
flickering ray around the gloomy apart
ment A shadowy figure creeps to the
window and there pauses. "Can II Dare
II Aye, whoever saw u Pommery shrink
from dutyp'.
And with sudden wrench she tears
the mosquito bars away. The night was
tull of the blood-drinking fiends Hum
ming and singing in cruel delight, they
rush into the room in scores, thousands,
clouds. until the apartments grow dark
with them. With prophetic anguish, and
vet high resolution written on her face,
she bares her face, arms and throat. to the
swarming insects. They perch upon CHS
ellcd nose. on alabaster brow, on snowy
throat. and dawn-hued cheek. Yet she
quailed not. ''Perish the fatal gift of
beauty" she said flrmly. $50 one heart be
true. Fiends, do your worst" They
did. With a stitled groan she sank back
upon her couch. and after hours of an
guish fell asleep and slumbered as the
doomed man sleeps in his cell.
The golden sun arose-once in way it
was clear in that part of the country-and
shone warmly into the room. the scene of
loves noblest sacrifice. Quickly the girl
sprang to her feet and looked into the
mirror.
o what sight met her eyes! Where
were the red lips, the pearly skin, the
aristocratic nosep All vanished in hide
Gus. raw, monstrous swelling that horri-
fed even her strong soul.
Gloomily she gaxed at the reflection of
herself. An involuntary shudder con-
vulsed her. What would her crowd of
lovers think of her now? "Will they love
me now as thenp'' She attempted 10 war
BILE, but her words broke on her blistered
lips and she gave it up. And he, would
he see through her SCARED face to the
lovely soul withinP Would he not turn
from her in loathing and disgust So be
it; she had sworn to put him to the test,
and she would do it or die.
As she stood there the door opened and
the landlords daughter entered. She
was about to hide her face. But no;
should - Pommery quail before the gaze
of low peasant. Perish the thought.
"What do you want, girl ?'' she queried
sternly.
Lord" said the girl "your're horribly
bit up Your face and neck is Just one
pulp Your own mother would'n:l know
you. Why, you have been leaving the
skeeter nets down. Shouldn't wonder
| if they'd pizened you 10 DEATH"
What Of that?n said Florence, coldly !;
tell me your errand and begone.''
breakfasts ready she answered sui
len and abashed. Your pancakes is get
ting cold"
"Away." answered Florence. waving
her away with lofty gesture. What
care for pancakeso Begone."
| And without another word the vulgar
creature crawed humbly away But she
muttered as she went with the first instinct
of a sordid mind. $50 much saved, any
| wav."
The heroic girl was alone Softly she
| slipped TO the door and flew up stairs to
the garret. In the deep gloom of the dus-
ty chamber, her feet. which had hitherto
| trod on Persian carpets and so on. stum-
bled over old barrels, planking, baskets
and rubbish. But it is Pommery trait to
fear nothing. Ere long she discovered
the object of her search-an old coffee
sack.
"When this has done its work." she
muttered. as She bore IL away with her
jeweied fingers, 81 will pay its owner
rovally."
She carried it down to her room in Sc
cret. 1t was heavy and dustS but should
she pause now? Not if it tore her slen-
der arms from their sockets. Taking
from her trunk golden thimble and jew
eled scissors, she set to work 10 fashion
from the coffee sack real but humble
garment.
"This," she said, with belt of black
serge and calico sunbonnet, will. dis
guise one thoroughly"
A smile fitted across her disfgured face
as she thought how the world would stare
to see its darling in this guise. Looking
into the mirror she saw there what nearly
caused her to faint. But through all her
hideous disguise flashed those brilliant
eyes.
''He will know all by these she NUT.
tered. Il will complain of weak eyes
borrow the landlady's blue glasses, and
hide those all too beautiful orbs''
Thursday came. and with it Clarenct
Claud st. John and his basket of apples
And when she heard his fIute-like voic,
below. she quickly donned her spectacle
and went down to meet him.
lContinued on fourth page.1