The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-05-28
FLORA, HAIR.

FLokA, HAlk.
It was the afternoon of clear Febru-
ary day,a bright sky above, capital sleigh
ing beneath and keen, knife-like wind
midway between, when Silas Montague 8
superb chestnut-colored horses were
checked in front of the plate-glass win
dows of fashionable coitfeur's establish
ment, Just out of the whirl and tumult of
Broadway ,and young lady about seven
teen years of age alighted from the choc-
olate-colored coupe to enter the domin-
ion of pomatum and frisettos.
The knight of combs and scissors ad
vanced briskly from behind the counter
to meet his pretty customer, who was
dressed in velvets aud sables that might
have, and probably did, cost small for
tune.
s.Don't let me interrupt you, Mr.. Ma
cassar,' said the lady, carelessly sinking
down on a crimson brocatelle sofa, and
glancing toward two women with whom
the coiffeur had been in deep converse
ton at the moment of her entrance;
can wait few minutes perfectly WE'LL
sc You are very kind Miss Montague,
but our business is completed. He ad-
ded in lower tone of voice, "Only some
women come to sell their hair. You see
bACJ lldfC OUCppCd 1uoloO IOI Jul Cu1UCI
to take it off,"
.'To sell their hair ?" repeated Miss
Montague.
Certainly, miss. It's very common
thing l assure you, more particularly
since it has become usual to wear the
hair short. And then hard times, you
know"
''But surely it is impossible to get
enough to be any compensation for the
loss of fine head of hair, said the young
lady.
"Oh, you are mistaken. For long,
luxuriant hair of a good color-such hair
as yours, for instance, Miss Montague
we pay as much as three dollars"
'sThree dollars p repeated the girl,
scornfully.
Hair will soon grow again, Miss Mon
tague," said the hairdresser, Struggling
his shoulders. 'In what way can I serve
you to-day?"
some one to arrange my hair tomorrow
evening""
Mrs. Warrener's ball % smoothly in
terposed the man, who seemed to be au
fdit in fashionable intelligence. "Cer-
tainly, to be sure. I will send Fran
coise. What iewelry do you wear ?"
''Only a small wreath of netted pearls
around the braids."
And Macassar bowed his fair young
patroness ont of the store with smiling
complacerce. She stood moment on
tine step, as if thinking, and then spoke
to the iveried servant sitting on the
box.
''You may drive home, John. I shall
not need you any more to-day" she said
quietly.
John touched first his gold-banded hat
and then his horses, and in few mo-
ments was out of sight, very glad to be
relieved.
Then, and not till then, Miss Montague
walked briskly away, brushing the pave
ments of obscure streets with her costly
silk as if she cared not for its lustrous
splendor, treading narrow alleys, and at
length assembled the uncarpeted stairs of
a tenement house, going to the third
story.
The door was opened by a pale,
shadowy-looking woman, scarce older in
the calendar of years than Miss Montague
herself, but alas! how much more aged
in the record of care and grief.
&C Flora, dearest, how kind this is of
you"
For Flora Montague had thrown her
arm round the slender figure and was
sho wering kisses on the pale forehead
with true girlish warmth of affection.
ssYou can't be more surprised to see
me, Lizzie, than am to be here. was
out shopping, when suddenly the idea
occurred to me of stealing an interview
with you. So I sent John home, and
here / am"
''But, Flora, what would my uncle
say2"
murely. "And besides, Lizzie, my con-
science does not condemn me for this
visit. Papa's conduct has been so un-
kind, SO actually inhuman toward you.
Think of it, dearest. After giving you
luxurious home until now, to turn you
out of doors just for marrying poor
artist-and you his sisters daughter,
too"
sTrue," said the delicate young crea-
ture whom Flora addressed as Lizzie.
"Yet if it was not for Clements con-
tinued illness and poverty, I should
never for one moment regret that"
The door was rudely pushed open at
this moment, without even the trifing
formality of q warning knock, and
wiry head, with sharp, terrier eyes to
match, was thrust unceremoniously in
Il say, missus, is that ere money
ready %
Lizzie turned very pale and clasped
her wan fingers tightly together.
I am sorry, !" she stammered, sbut-"
The head and eyes now advanced en-
tirely into the room, with the short,
thick-set figure to which they belonged.
Look here, marin. said the man,
harshly, this is the third week you've
had this ere two rooms, and not red
cent of rent have set eyes on. Needn't
tell me your husbands sick; there's
enough tenants can get without sick |
husbands. don't want to hear no ex- |