The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1894-03-16
LEGENDS OF LADIES.
A DISCUSSION OF THE INFLUENCE OF
BEAUTY on THE TENDER PASSION.

a discussion interesting to the ladies
is running through some of the French
papers. Briefly stated, the question is
whether or not beauty has anything to
do with the kindling Of the tender pas
sion. Handsome women say yes; home
ly ones, or, to Se more correct, the less
beautiful, say no. In proof of the
soundness of their platform, which re-
Jects the plank of affection for lowell
ness only, the latter have unearthed the
musty old legend of the loves of Leile
and Megnoun.
When the king of Persia heard of the
smitten young man, he sent for him and
asked him how it was that he had be-
come so desperately spoony.
In order to understand that" re-
piled Megnoun, you would have to see
my ladylove."
WELL" said the king, lets see the
wonder"
Leile was brought before him. She
was redheaded, scraggy, squint eyed,
stump nosed and frCckled face.
"A thousand blizzards!' roared his
majesty. lis this the object of your
extraordinary ardor? Splinter my scep-
ter! The meanest slave in my kitchen
is better looking than she!"
Then judge how l must love her,
said Megnoun, :" since she is as beauti-
ful in my eyes as she is homely in
yOurs!"
So far so good. But here comes the
lurid legend of the famous Ninon de
Lenclos. NinOn fourished during the
reigns Of Louis XIV and Louis XIV, and
many enthusiastic descriptions have
been given of her Incompatible charms.
Well, one fine day Mile. de Lenclos
was quietly seated in her parlor when
the servant came to announce to her
that gentleman wished to see her, but
that he would not give his name. She
told the servant to say to the stranger
that she was engaged with company and
could not see him.
Il know very WE'LL, " said the stran-
ger to the servant, that mademoiselle
is alone. Go back ard tell her that |
have matter of the very highest i'm
portance to communicate to her."
This strange reply tickled the curios-
ity of Mile. de Lenclos. She gave or
ders to admit him. He appeared before
her. He was little old man, clad in
black, with sinister look He wore
black skullcap and carried a little
black cane. His eyes were full Of fire;
but, after all, his features were intel
lectual.
"Mademoiselle, said Re, "be good
enough to send away your waiting
maid. Nobody but you alone must hear
what | have to reveal"
Ninon was terrified at first, but at
last, remembering that she was in the
presence of a little, decrepit old man,
she took courage and sent away the
waiting maid.
Don't let my visit frighten you"
said the stranger. 1T is true that | do
not honor everybody in this way, but
you have nothing to fear. You have
before you man who is obeyed, more
or less, by all the world, and who can
bestOw at will all the gifts of nature. |
was present at your birth. | fashion
the fate of all human beings, and |
have come here to learn from your own
lips how l shall dispose of yours. l
bring you the highest titles, enormous
riches and an eternal beauty. Which
will you have? Take your choice and
rest assured that no mortal on earth has
the power to give you so much.'
Really, SIR" said the woman,
laughing, 'you are very kind, and the
magni6cence of your gifts is so great
that"
"Mademoiselle, said he, interrupt
ing her, ''you have too much good sense
to make fun of man whom you do not
know. Choose quickly. Which will you
have-titles, riches or eternal beauty!"
My dear SIR" said she, there is no
room for any hesitation over the good
things that you offer me. I'll take eter-
nal beauty. But what must | do to
obtain this precious gift?"
"Mademoiselle, said the stranger,
You must write your name upon my
tablets" And he presented to her an
old blackened tablet, upon which she
signed her name. Then he gave her
light tap of his black cane upon the left
shoulder. That will do now," he said
You will be beautiful all through your
life, and you will live for long time
You will create passions at a period in
life when other women are in the hor-
rors of decrepitude. You will never
grow old. l give you the power 70
charm everybody. During 5000 years
/ have travelled through the universe
from one end to the other, and upon the
earth have only found four women
who were worthy of this great privi-
lege They were Semiramis, Helen,
Cleopatra and Diana de Poitiers. You
are the fifth and the last To receive this
gift. Ask me no question. You will
see me again, once more only, and that
will be when you shall have only three
days more TO live. Remember my name
is Noctambule!''
He disappeared, leaving Mile. de Len
clos frightened almost out of her wits.
The career of the wOndrous beauty is
too long TO follow. 1t is enough TO say
that three days before her death Noe
tambule appeared before her, showed
her her signature, and In a dreadful
voice told her that she was captured;
that she lived all her life under the
power of Lucifer, and that her end was
at hand. On the third day he came and
choked her to death!
1t is consoling to think that there is
some doubt about the exact truth of this
t Il