Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-02-25

cause him. Ono society woman NIGH
make the fortune of a ladies' tailor bu
a woman not recognized by the 400 wal
not likely 10 make other wealthy womer
yearn to have M. Dufrs make theil
dresses. Miss Mangrwe interrupted
his thoughts:
Are you doubling your ability ?" she
asked.
"Not for moment have hesitated OF
that account"
Chow will $20, 900 snit your"
"For how long time is your service?
"One year"
"PerfectedIy."
Come to me again tomorrow. We
shall then draw up contract, and you
can give me q design for a new dress"
Nj. Dufre bowed, and taking up his
sample case. left the room with the ease
OF one who had been accustomed to the
best society. That day and night he
worked on design for modern robe.
As he was good draughtsman and fine
colorist, he was able to present to Miss
Mangroye at the appointed time picture
OF herself engaged in opening the morn
ing's correspondence and dressed in q
beautiful gown of unique pattern.
"You please me SO we'll. /" 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.
Every well; here is q contract drawn
up by my lawyer. You had better read
it, for il 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 clause. and then put
his signature at the place left blank for
| il.
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
whilo the maiden aunt who acted as her
chaperon was seating herself, there was
n levelling of lorgnettes in every part
of the house. Her dress was pro-
nounced perfect by every woman i'm the
audience who was possessed of an opera
glass, and the society women enviously
admitted that the creator of that cos
tune was a genius. Who had made it?
That was IN inquiry that more than one
of the ladies asked Of herself in q won
dering way, and resolved to instruct her
maid TO quiz Miss Mangrove's maid at
the first opportunity.
On tho second night of the opera sea-
son Miss Mangrove appeared in a 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 n 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 Co.'S
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 NJ. Dufre, a
new man on Fifth avenue, had created
her marvellous costumes, society smil-
ingly said that it was good eitising
story, but one to DO skeptioal about
till admitted by Miss Mangrove herself.
But mt the beginning of the second
year of M. Dufre's contract with Miss
Mangrove, it was whispered that NJ. Du
FIRE Was genuine count who had tempo
rarily abandoned his title while he re-
paired his finances in trade. This report
was one that aroused the most intense in
terest among the 400, and an investiga-
| tion was set on foot at once. The result
of the inquiry was the conviction that n
real nobleman had set up on Fifth avenue
in tho tailoring business. The evidence
adduced TO bring about this conviction
was a series of letters written from Paris
by one of the Metriarchs. She had in
quired at the establishment where NJ. Du-
FIRE had learned his trade, and after care
fully following up the clues to his iden-
tity she 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 patronize him
as NJ. Dufre, but to open its
doors to him ms Count do Nino. OF
course his contract with Miss Mangrove
cluded his filling orders for any one else I;
but hewa at liberty to accept the inyi-
tations that were showered upon him.
Soon he was seen everywhere, and being
affable, polished and well-educated, he
became general favorite. Soon the
society reporters stated that he was en-
| gagged to one of the bellies, but the an
nouncement of the betrothal would not
be made till certain business matter of
the Counts was settled. Everybody
knew what that business matter was, and
smiled at the vexation the item would
cause "the Mangrove," who was known
to he studious reader of society gossip.
The season was well under way when the
Count suddenly departed for Europe,
leaving behind him lot of hastily
penncd regrets for social functions. 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 the 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:
"Save bought it Tor l., $1,000 francs-
i DUFRF."
He had come back to report in full
land Miss Mangrove was listening with
| ~ o;ta,,ant a, h;s sforv Of how much IN ri