Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-01-25
Beautiful
Myronel,

Two years ago the Rue Bah Ax01ln "a
chestnut tree in miniature) situa ted
III the French quarter of the pictur-
esque city of AlgierS, contained an
elegant hair-dresser's shop, the window
of which exhibited Il beautiful blonde
head, decorated with a pretty little
hue capuchon. 1t was an adorable
head, with shining tresseS of golden
brown hair, languishing eyes and half
parted lips. seeming to await but Il
kiss to warm them into ardent life.
Dr1ped at sides and back with deep
crimson hangings, lighted only by the
tempered: flame of shaded gaS-jetS
ranged along the glasses edge, sug-
gestfye of the footlights of a mimic
stage-here, for an hour every day,
this charming half-smiling cOuntenance
peeped from the folds OF the sombre
drapery like Il roguish child playing
hide-andseek with the passers-by. IT
was the striking Christmas novelty of
Alsicrs in the advertising line, and
the trade of the coiffeur so much in
creased thereby that it really looked
as If the police would be sometimes
required to ask the crowd of Spahis
ChaSseurS, Arabs and even EthiopianS
to move on. Naturally the French
members of the Army and Navy club.
on the Place du Commencement. stroll
ing by daily en- route to the club-rooms
were aroused by the sight to Il point
of absolute enthusiasm. Cards and
billiards. even gave place to discus
sions Of the beauty of this engaging
figure.
SO ideal and vet so human, with
her lovely eyes, dimpled chin rosebud
mouth. and adorable retrousse nose"
declared enthusiastically the tall. hand
some Marcel of the Tenth Curassiers.
50 ideal yet SO human. / say, that
II didn't know that it is a wax fig
ure-but see here. Leopold" Marcel
broke OF suddenly, turning to address
man lounging careleSSly in a corner
10y the window, wrapped in rpvcrie
md cloud of tobacco smoke You
are judge Of beauty, women's beau
ty particularly. Benoist, yonder cracks
up the figurines Of Vienna and I swear
by those of Paris. III wager him 800
francs that you agree with me-"
Done" said Benoist; "done, Marcel.
Put UP your money. The tigurine of
the Rue Bab-Azoun is pretty, l grant
you, but those of Vienna"
But as | haven't seen the figure in
the Rue Bah Azoun yet" objected
Leopold in his deep, lazy tones, "some
one else must stand as referee in the
issue between you"
Not seen her yet, the Christmas at
traction in AIglers? Incredible! Rilicu-
ious! He must so at once, this very
moment. and fatten his nose against
the glass of the coiffeur's window
said Marcel. Moreover" he added,
IN go along with you. / never tire
of staring at that adorable head
Leopold carelessly and laughingly
asserting, the two friends descended
sh9 club stairs. Benoist and the others
agreeing to await their return, and
arm-in-arm they turned their steps to-
ward the halrdreSsers shop in the Rue
Bab-AZoun. When they arrived there
they found the window empty.
We'll, by Jover' cried Marcel. "who
would believe it? That little figure
has her hours like a swell lady of
fashion. Never mind. we'll 60 in; per
haps We'll get Il close view of her.
1t will spoil the charm, no doubt, but
still we'll go in
Into this show you mean|
''prSaiSn1u into no char, ,1nSar tho
pretext of buying something. All! Il
happy thought, capuchon; capIl-
chon, mon cher, like that which be-
decks the head Of the figure
The shop was guarded by an elder
iy female, majestic but polite.
Madame" Marcel began, passing
your window today 1 saw certain
style of headdress, and I am charged
with commission
YES murmured the woman, in
terrogatively.
DO you think you will be able to
procure one for meT'
Monsieur has not yet told me exact
~ what he desires"
True, true My mind has wandered
in other worlds. 1t was a headdress
saw. I am not clever at giving names
TO feminine objects of wear, but i
was lovely headdress"
Marcel said all Of this in jerky
staccato, absent fashion, as if his mind
was quite in another direction. The
attendant listened with marked defer
ence and then said:
Exactly, monsieur, begin to under
stand; but the style of headdress
please?"