Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-26

slave you gone crazy, Feiice? Have
YOU not done it every night for year? ?"
"If it is madame's will, l must do it,"
said Felice, in the same strange way, and
she stepped behind the lady's chair.
Slowly the great masses of golden floss
tell about the lady's shoulders. Softly
the maid gathered them under her hands
and began to pass the comb through
them. As she did so Madame Perrot ex-
perienced such shock as one receives
from an electric battery.
'.What strange feeling" she cried.
Again the comb entered her hair.
Again she experienced the singular sensa-
ton.
"What are you doing to me, Felice ?"
she cried. starting TO her feet. "What
are YOU doing to me? YOU"
But there was no one there; the door
had not opened nor shut. Fellce had been
standing behind her the instant before.
Now she was gone The dread of she
knew not what was heavier than before.
She could neither scream nor run.
All that she could do was to drag her
self to the bed and draw the coverlets
over her head Whether she tainted or
lost consciousness she never knew.
1t was late when she awoke. The hands
of the alabaster clock upon the mantle
piece pointed to the hour of 10. But ln-
stead of the usual domestic sounds of the
hour, she was conscious of strange buste
and confusion. and she thought she heard
the name of Felice repeated in tones of
horror moro than once. Why did they
not come to her and tell her?
In moment the door opened and Mon
sieur Perrot, wrapped in his quilted dres-
sing gown, came in. His face was very
grave,
You are awake, my love ?" he asked.
"Yes, | am awake. What has hap
pened?'
Your maid Felice is dead. She has
taken poison. Her mother is washer
woman in the Rue St. Cyr. She went
there Yesterday afternoon and this morn
ING was found dead. The lamentations of
the poor woman awakened me. She had
brought note which Felice had left for
you. Shall read it ?"
Yes, mon ami" said Madame Perrot
trembling violently.
Adored Madame, Che began,) I shall
never dress that beautiful hair again. |
knew it when arranged it an hour ago.
When You return home Felice will be
dead She is too miserable to live. All !!
madame, when you touch that little bell |
have obeyed so long, it seems to me that
my spirit must hear it and come to you
again Amongst the strange thoughts in
my distracted mind this one is very strong.
Yes, it is possible may return to you,
though never in the flesh. Adieu, be-
loved mistress; pray that the soul of the
miserable Felice may repose in peace.
"Henriv' cried Madame Perrot, with a
scream. "Oh, Henri, this is terrible !
Feice undressed my hair herself at mid
night-Felice, who was then dead. Come
to me Let me touch you! Save me
from this great terror that is gathering
ing about men'
Monsieur Perrot flew to his wife's side.
The light from the open window fell
across the pillow and over the beautiful
head that lay upon it. He stared at it for
a moment
"Mon Dieu my childr' he cried,
amazed and Mortified. "What has hap.
pened Your hair has turned white!'
1t was true; in all those flowing locks
not one thread of gold fingered. They
were as white as snow.
And this is how Madame Perrot's hair
turned white at the age of 20.