Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-28

that you were the only person who could
help me!''
Two veritable tears glistened on her eye
ashes. NJ. Arthur was touched. A
woman, and q very pretty woman, too,
weeping at his obduracy! No such delicate
incense had ever been offered at his shrine.
well, well, madam. will see what
can do for you. 1 will make an effort. A
very simple little gown"
"Oh, no; not very simplei A very splen-
did gown, one of your very best. l have
two friends who are customers of YOURS
Here she gave their names. And l N.Y.
self am Nine. Dagand."
mime. Dagand! You are Nine. Da-
gand?"
The effect of these two words was dra-
matte to a degree. The exclamation was
followed by a glance and a smile, glance
toward the newspaper, a smile for Nine.
Dagand, a perfectly well-bred smile, re-
served, discreet, benignant. The glance
and the smile said as plainly as words:
"Ahi you are Nine. Dagand, the already
famous Mme Dagand, the Nine. Dagand of
the opera last night understand un-
derstand. You need say no more. You
should have told me who you were at once.
Yes, you want my help; you shall have your
gown; am willing to contribute to your
triumph"
M. Arthur called through the door: ''Mlle.
Blanche, at once. Mile. Blanchey'
He turned to Nine. Dagand:
''She is person of great intelligence.
But you may rely on me. I will see to your
dress myself"
Nine. Dasand felt a little confused, over
whelmed, but radiant nevertheless.
Mile. Blanche appeared.
"Take madam away with you," said M.
Arthur. Measure her for a ball dress,
with very low bodice, the arms bare to the
shoulder. Meanwhile, madam, L will med
itate on what can do for you. You must
have something quite new. Ali before you
go, Just allow me-"
He walked slowly round Nine. Dagaud,
examining her with profound attention;
then he retreated, and considered ner from
a little further of. His face was grave,
anxious and careworn. He looked like a
great savant wrestling with some difficult
problem. He passed his hand over his fore
head, cast his ewes heavenward for lnspira-
ton. in travail with some tremendous idea.
At last his face frightened The powers
above had come to his aid.
FYou can go, madam" he said. "Your
gown is made. When you come back, made
moiselle, bring me that piece pink satin
you know, that piece have put by for a
great occasion -"
In few minutes Madam Dagand found
herself alone with Mademoiselle Blanche in
one of the fitting rooms, a sort of little cabi-
net surrounded BY mirrors. The measure
ments were duly taken, and when Nine. Da-
gand came back a quarter of an hour later,
she found NJ. Arthur hemmed in by mound
of aF al k,rlI1
ures, brocSdes.
said to Mile. Blanche, who had bought the
piece demanded. ''I have thought OF some
thing better. Now listen, listen attentively.
This is what you have to do. have decided
against pink, and have chosen this peach
blossom satin. You are to make a close
fitting underdress, classic in style, showing
all the curves. suggesting the supple forms
of the body. 1t must be very
fat-scarcely any petticoats-a surah under
skirt; madam must be nodded, outlined,
do you understand, in this On the lounda-
tion we will drape this crape-yes, this one
in fine, light folds. 1t will be like a
cloud floating over the dress transparent,
misty, impalpable. The arms perfectly
bare, as told you On each shoulder a
simple knot, showing the junction of the
arm. What is this knot to be made OF? I
still hesitate 1 must think it over
again-come back tomorrow. madam, to be
titted-good morning, good morning.
Nine. Dagand came back the following
morning, and the next day, and every day
until the eve oil the famous Thursday, and
each time she came she filed up the inter-
val of waiting for her turn to be fitted bv
ordering new dresses, very simple ones, but
none of them under 700 or 300 francs.
And this was not ALL When Nine.
Dagsnd left the great establishment, after
her first visit to M. Arthur, her heart sank
at the sight of her own brougham. It had
been her deceased mother-in-law's brougham,
and had done service for good Is years in
the streets of Paris. Nine. Dagand got into
this pitiful equipage, and drove straight off
to q very fashionable carriage builder. In
the evening she seized propitious moment
and explained to NJ. Dagand that she had
seen certain little black brougham, lined
with deep blue, which would 90 most
divinely with her new gownsl
The brougham was purchased the next
morning by NJ. Dagand; he, too, began to
feel the magnitude of his new duties. By
the next day, however, it was discovered
that it would be impossible to harness the
old horse, who had drawn the old carriage,
to this gem of brougham, and no less i'm
possible to put the old coachman, who had
driven the old horse, on the box.
Whence it came to pass that on Thurs
day, the 25th of April, at 1890 o'clock, a
very pretty chestnut mare, driven by a very
correct English coachman, drew NJ. and
Mime. Dagand to the Palmers' house. One
thing was still lacking, little groom by
the side of the English coachman. But
Mime. DagaDd was not wanting in tact, and
the prettiest woman in Paris had made up
her mind to wait ten days or so before ask