Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-02-11

that his devotion to one person won
cause him. One society woman migl
make the fortune of ladies tailor, bl
q woman not recognized by the 400 WI
not likely TO make other wealthy wome
yearn to have NJ. Dufre make the
dresses. Miss Mangrove interrupte
his thoughts:
Are you doubling your ability ?" 81
asked.
"Not for moment have hesitated G
that account"
GLOW will $4,000 suit you?"
"For how long time is your service?
Zone year"
'Perfectedly."
''Come TO me again tomorrow. w
shall then draw up a contract, and yo
can give me.a design for u new dress"
NJ. Dufre bowed, and taking up hi
sample case, left the room with the east
of one who had been accustomed to thu
best society. That day and night h'
worked on design for modern robe
AS he was IL good draughtsman and u fin,
colorist, he was able to present to Mis-
Mangrove at the appointed time pictur,
of herself engaged in opening the morn
ing's correspondence and dressed in {
beautiful gown of unique pattern.
"You please me so well, " she said
that will pay you $4,000 if you will
engage with me for two years"
"As that is more money than | could
hope to make in so short time from
general custom l will sign with you," NJ.
Dufre replied gravely.
Il.
up by my lawyer. You had better read
it, for it is one of these iron-clad agree
ments that prove hard to break"
The ladies tailor examined the docu-
ment carefully asking occasionally for
an explanation of a clause, and then put
his signature at the place left blank for
it.
AT the first night of the opera season
Miss Mangrove appeared in box rented
from family that was in mourning.
When she slipped out of her cloak and
stood for moment in front of the box
while the maiden aunt who acted as her
chaperon was seating herself, there was
a levelling of lorgnettes in every part
of the house. Her dress was pro-
nounced perfect by every woman in the
audience who was possessed of an opera
glass, and the society women enviously
admitted that the creator of that cos
tune was Il genius. Who had made it?
That was an inquiry that more than one
of the ladies asked of herself in WON
dering way, and resolved to instruct her
maid to quiz Miss Mangrove's maid at
the first opportunity.
On the second night of the opera sea-
son Miss Mangrove appeared in differ
ent costume, but one us beautiful as the
one worn by her on her first appearance
in the sacred precincts known as the
millionaires' boxes. The third night she
was again gowned in no less becoming
dress, but one that she had not yet worn
in public.
The society ladies became excited.
What will she wear tonight" they
asked one another, and they waited i'm
patiently till Miss Mangrove appeared.
Then they levelled their opera glasses to
see whether Miss Mangrove had at last
been compelled to make one of her cos.
tunes do duty the second time. In this
they were disappointed, for she was
never seen twice in the same costume.
When it was rumored that M. Dufre, a
new man on Fifth avenue, had created
her marvellous costumes, society smil-
lngly said that it was good adyel Using
story, but one to be skeptical about
till admitted by Miss Mangrove herself.
But at the beginning of the second
year of M. Dufres contract with Miss
Mangrove, 1t was whispered that NJ. Du-
ire was genuine count who had tempo
rarily abandoned his title while he. re-
paired his finances in trade. This report
was one that aronsed the most intense in
terest among the 400, and an investiga-
ion was set on foot at once. The result
IT the inquiry was the conviction that a
eal noblcman had set up on Fifth avenue
y n the tailoring business. The evidence
Ldduced to bring about this conviction
vas series of letters written from Paris
~ one Of the Metriarchs. She had in
luired at the establishment where NJ. Du-
re had learned his trade, and after care
sully following up the clues to his iden-
.ity sho had assured herself that he was
the only living representative of one of
the oldest titles in France. That settled
it. Society was willing to patronike him
is NJ. Dufre, but t5 open its
ioors to him as Count de Nino. Of
course his contract With Miss Mangrove
'luded his filling orders for any one else;
but he was at liberty to accept the invi-
Iations that were showered upon him.
Soon he was seen everywhere, and being
ltfable, polished and ell-educated, he
became general favorite. Soon the
society reporters stated that he was en-
gagged to one of the bellies. but the an-
louncement of the betrothnl ~, -, not
10 DO "aoo @ 'lil a certa'-. business matter of
know M 0Wb". ,vb" Yqs settled. Everybody
,r.E "" IT that business matter was, and
..ned ut the vexation the item would
cause "thc Mangrove," who was known
The season was well under way when the
Count suddenly departed for Europe,
leaving behind him lot Of hastily
penned regrets for social fumctidhs. So
ciety felt hurt and thought it horrible Of
1.-The Mangrove' to send away their de-
lightful French nobleman Just at the
height of the season. Envious of his
brilliant social success, she had ordered
him to Paris about some new dresses for
her. Such was tho popular explanation
of his absence.
He returned the week before Easter
and was enthusiastically received by the
| 400.
The only knowledge Miss Mangrove
had of his movements during his trip
abroad was short cablegram:
"have bought it for l., 1000 francs.
DUFRE."