The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-02-14
THE FLAXEN WIG
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misunderstood.
Dr. Lionnet, on hearing Mr. Adrian
story. was evidently of the same opinion as
Mr. Charlton, for spanning MIR. Adrians
head with two fingers he asked him ii he
ever felt a sensation of tightuess at the
places indicated. Then, before his patient
had time to reply, the physician exclaimed
in surprise, "Why, monsieur wears
veeg"
So.periect was the deception that it had
escaped the physicians notice until by the
pressure of his fingers he felt the scalp
slipping on Mr.. Adrian's smooth Uranium.
Mr.. Adrian assented, and in reply to
the question, GLOW long has monsieur
worn the veeg?" he replied. "About a
month"
.'Ah = exclaimed the doctor significant
ly, while he kept his fingers still spanning
Mr. Adrian's head, 'and probably this is
the first yeeg monsieur has ever worn,
though he has been bait for years p.
Mr.. Adrian was forced to admit the
truth of the conjecture.
"Ahm exclaimed the doctor again; ''the
veeg has given heat to Monsieur's brains
and caused them to fcrment. Toia."
and with these words the autocratic man
of science, with def and rapid move
ment of his hand, plucked the wig from
MIR. Adrians head, and ere he could be
prevented threw it into the fire.
So infammable did the wig prove that
it blazed up almost as quickly as gun
powder and disappeared with similar
rapidity.
As it vanished a very audible sigh fell
upon Mr. Adrian's ears. "Did you hear
that?' he asked, appealing to the physi-
clan, while his face had disturbed ex-
preston.
Monsieur will hear and see no more,
was the reply, for now his brains will be
cool
Without saying more Mr. Adrian
drew himself up s,ify and laid hand
some fee upon the table. He then babe the
physician a naughty adieu, and left the
consulting room.
He was excessively grieved at the loss
of his wig, which he had grown to value
greatly, but he felt no inclination to get
another.
He told himself that he was only justly
punished for acting upon the Wears adj
vice He was soon, however, forced to
admit that the physician 5 representations
had turned out correct, as no more, either
when asleep OF awake, did he meet with
any of his recent experiences. But still
the lovely face he had seen remained in
dilibly fixed on his mind For several
weeks he lived aimlessly in Paris, and
though he believed as firmly as ever that
he must some day find her who was occu-
pying most of his thoughts, he seemed to
lack the energy or to be at Il loss for a
method, to enter upon his search. Some
times, when in a picture gallery or at the
theatre. and even on the bOulcvards, he
would look around as if in search of some
one whom he expected to see.
Among his other pursuits Mr.. Adrian
collected curios of various kinds, especially
favori.g canoes and medallions. He was
passing one day small shop in rather
obscure quarter, when noticing several an
tiquities in the window, he entered in the
hope of finding something worth adding to
his collection. While examining the va
rious articles exposed for sale Mr.. Adrian
suddenly uttered an exclamation of min
gled establishment and joy. He was hold
ing in his hand small and exquisitely-
painted enamel, Il portrait of the beautiful
face which he had come from England to
seek.
"Who is this?" he inquired with an eli
fort, for his voice seemed to come from
one who was scant of breath.
II do not know, replied the dealer
.'but monsieur will see that the portrait is
very fine. The price is two hundred
francs. Mr.. Adrian at once paid the
money. 1t was moderate sum for so ex.
quisite work of art, but had ten times as
much been asked the price would have
been paid without demur Mr. Adrian
knew nothing about enamels, and after he
had looked for some time with a rapt gaze
he said
"How did it fall into your hands p
at was sold to me by woman whom |
do not know
''Do you possess no information about it
at all?"
.sNone But l can give monsieur the
address of connoisseur who at least will
be able to tell the artist, and the man
then named one of the chief dealers in ar
ticles of virtu in Paris, from whom Mr..
Adrian had frequently made purchases,
aud who was, therefore, known to him.
lie at once hurried to the shop.
at is by Decazet, and very valuable"
said the connoisseur as soon as he had seen
the enamel
"Where shall | find that artist ?" asked
Mr. Adrian, as though he were again
breathless.
''Find Decazet In his grave, mon
seur. Decazet has been dead for hun
bred years"
"a hundred years e exclaimed Mr.
Adrian, repeating the words that had fallen
upon his heart like heavy weights and
crnshnd IL