Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-10-30
Bernhart and her Greeting.

Suddenly a white hand was seen waving
handkerchief from port hole, and it was
universally conceded that this was Made
moiselle's greeting. The band struck up the
Marseillaise, the Blackbird was made fast,
and amid great vociferation on the part OF
the French officers and sailors, the gang
plank was lowered. There was wild rush
on board the Amerique, in which, mracu-
lousy, as it seemed, no one fell overheard.
The knot of passengers on the deck was
passed unnOticed and the procession followed
Mr.. Abbey and Mr.. Schwab who led the way
down into the cabin. Those who came first
caught momentary glimpse of slender fig
ure in complete morning dress shaking hands
warmly with Mr.. Abbey and then vanishing
into a state-rOOm. 1t was evident that Made
mOiselle Bernhard was not an early riser and
had been taken unawares. So the visitors
sat down in the dining-salOon and trifed with
coffee and champagne while waiting for the
completion of the artists toilet.
Suddenly the band crashed out again and
each one present rose to his feet. A tall
slender form willowy and graceful mad en-
tered the saloon. Instantly there was rush.
and Mile. Bernhard, as she chatted with
Mr.. Abbey and Mr.. Schwab was the centre
of a curious crowd. 1t was a striking face
that they saw-long and thin. and, viewed as
whole, almost triangular in shape. Her
broad, low forehead was nearly concealed by
her hat and little flossy puffs of light brown
hair. Under her light, deicately -pencilled
eyebrows shone long, narrow grayish- blue
eyes. Her long, prominent aquilne nose
gave a little of the Hebrew to her face
Seen in profile little ripple was noticeable
that gave it an irregular outline. The nos
trils were thin, quivering and dilating with
every emotion. Her mouth was WIDE with
thin, sharply cut red lips that curled and
fairly writhed as she spoke, and when the
curved upper lip was drawn back in her
smile her prominent white teeth were fully
exposed to view. Her chin, rounded as it
was, was yet strong. Her clear, white COM
plexIon was relieved only by a little spot of
pink visible just under her high cheek bones.
1t was surprise to most of the curious gag
ers to find Mile. Bernhard pronounced
blonde instead of brunette. But one who
barely noted her features first and the out
line of her face found himself attracted
again and again into watching her. in order
to detect the something that gave such a pc
culiar character to her face. The secret Law
in her diamond eyes. Now, as the artistic
threw back her head and watched some one
attentively, they narrowed as the eyes of a
sleepy cat may sometimes be seen almost to
close, and cold glitter alone was visible.
The stony CLEAN seemed as if something re-
morselessly cruel we're speaking through her
eyes.
Again her face lit up. Her eyes dlated,
opening widely as the long light lashes lifted,
and shining even brilliantly as the delicate
nostriis quivered and a smile broke over her
face, bringing out the fine lines in her cheeks.
Her manner was essentially French. Turn
ing quickly from one to another of her COM
panions, now struggling her shoulders, ges-
turing with her gloved hands in dainty pro-
test, now laughing now sober, she seemed
the essence of mobility. Her dress was a
dark seal brown imperial, with a cape a la
postillion. and the trimmings were of seal
brown and dark green striped silk.
The front of the dress was killed Her
hat of olive plush-a style said to be peculiar
to herself. resembling tie Gainsborough, but
called the Bernhardt-was trimmed with
bird of paradise and ostrich plumes, and bore
several miniature wolves heads. Her hat
was fastened tightly down over her head, al
most concealing her ears, but cloud of light
silver hair escaped behind. Her wrap was
heavy seal skin dolman, reaching almost to
the floor, beneath which her tiny feet peeped
out, clad in deliberately ornamented slippers.
Tribune.