The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-06-14
One WHITE HAIR.

Nothing, MN" she replied; only
"Only what2"
Zone white hair, NM"
Mrs. Bellairs sat before her toilet glass,
while her maid manipulated her jet
black tresses. Smithers, in stopping
short in the operation, bad insensitly
been betrayed into making slight ges
ture of surprise. The incident was seen
in the mirror by her mistress, and curl.
ositY prompted her to question her maid
on the matter.
Impossible" said Mrs. Bellairs, in a
most incredulous tone.
"If you will per nit me, MN, I'll re-
move it,"
The maid took the offending silvery
thread between thumb and index. finger.
and with a sharp jerk pulled it out
Mrs. Brllairs gave subdued shrek.
She took the hair from her maid and
looked at it a moment in mute contem
plation, and then said, not without
tremor in her voice:
True, Smithers. You are right; it is
a white hair"
The morning for Mrs. Bellairs had be-
gun badly; how was the evening to emu?
In the upper ranks of society we often
see women on whom age appears TO
make no impression. With freedom
from care and anxiety they pass their
days in enjoyment, and do not get old
bu: rather ripen, like choice fruit, with
out losing their freshness and beauty.
Mrs. Bellairs was one of these-a rich
widow on the right side of 40-one ui
tire leaders OF society, and popular alike
with men and women That she had
been beauty would be an incorrect as
sertion. for her attractions cannot be
spoken OF in the past tense. Never had
she more admirers than in the zenith OF
her charms. and that she remained Mrs.
Bellairs was due solely to her own
choice.
Now that the question Of 1t was forced
upon her, she perceived that slightly
growing tendency toward embonpoint
might ultimately spoil her figure, while
careful consideration of her complex
ion revealed the unpleasant fact that its
| peach like freshness had somewhat faded.
rhe proverbial skeleton, too, Was in her
cupboard, clothed in flesh and blossom
ing TO womanhood. in the shape of a
lovely and charming daughter. Ethel
BelIairs was not cont" as Mrs. Bellairs
refused to abdicate in favor Of her
daughter.
The widow PLAYED with her breakfast.
CLAN, ,ed at the Morning Post, and, toss,
In. herself On the sofa, took up French
novel by Xavier Duplan, entitled "Moth-
er and Daughter"
Sac read as follows. "Mme. Dalbrun
was 40. In the springtime of life, ac-
cording to her own view; in the autumn
of it. as seen by others. Still handsome
and rich widow. she possesses every
thing to make life attractive. She was
blessed with one daughter, II years of
age. who Inherited all her mothers grace
aud beauty"
Mrs. Bellairs became deeply absorbed.
SKIPPING few pages, it continued:
During their visit to Spa one young
man of noble appearance attracted Nine
DalbIuu's attention. At the gaming
tables he played recklessly, and won ol
lost with the same easy composure. Al
acquaintance made at the Redoute ripen
ed into intimacy. and at balls. concerts
and the Promenade de Sept Heures tht
Count de CASTOR was the constant at
tendant of Nine. Dalbrun and he
daughter"
"1he count, of course, was in low
with Nine. Dalbruu," said Mrs. Bellair
speculatively. 80 let US come to the in
evitable proposal" aud she turned owe
three or four chapters.
"He loved her. Everything tended 4
convince her of this-his attentions. tn
frequency of his visits. and the fact tha
he had given up gambling at the table
for her sake. This thought plunget
Nine. Dalbrun in a most delightful in
toxicauon. In the bright picture of th
future, however, as sketched by herself
the disparity IN their ages would persis
in obtruding and gliding inopportunel
on 1t like serpent among flowers.
The count entered with a solemn an
subdued demeanor. which eontraste
somewhat With his usual easy aud fami
lar air. Need explain. madame, tn
object Of this visil?' SAID Count de Gu
ton. If mygVhele conduct for the la'
few weeks has not shown that l am
love. my words yesterday must haV
proved IT.
!" Are you sure, Monsieur ls Cont
that Won really ale in lover asked Mm