The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-06
LEGENDS OF LADIES.
A DISCUSSION OF THE INFLUENCE OF,
/ BEAUTY ON THE TENDER PASSION.

Did tho Devil Ever Choke tho Life Out OF
; Beautiful Woman?-A Story Which Is
Very Lurid, to shy tho Least-A IIomcly
Woman Seen Through Loves Eyes.
! A discussion interesting to tho ladies
is running through some of tho French
papers. Briefly stated, tho question is
whether or not beauty has anything to
do with the kindling CT tho tender pas
sion. Handsome women say yes; home
~ ones, or, to DO moro 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 uncarthed the
musty old legend of tho loves Of Leile
and Megnoun.
smitten young man, he sent for him and
asked him how it was that he had be-
come SO desperately spoony.
I'm order to understand that" re-
piled Megnoun, "you would have to sec
my ladylove."
We'll, said the king, lets see the
wonder.''
Leile was brought before him. She
was redheaded, scraggy, squint eyed,
stump nosed and freckled face.
"A thousand blizzards" roarcd his
majesty. rs this the object of your
extraordinary ardor? Splinter my scep-
ter! Tho meanest slave in my kitchen
is better looking than she!''
Then judge how must love her."
said Megnoun, since sho is as beauti-
full 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 flourished 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. dc Lenclos
was quietly seated In her parlor when
the servant came to announce to her
that gentleman wished to SEQ 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 SEQ 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
portanco to communicate to her."
: This strange reply ticllled tho curios-
lty OF Mile. do Lenclos. She gave Or
ders to admit him. Flo appeared before
her. He was IL little old man, clad in
black, with sinister look. He wore
black skullcap and carried little
black cane. His eyes were full of fire;
but, after all, his features were intel
lectual.
"Mademoiselle, said he, "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 little, decrepit old man,
she took courage and sent away the
waiting maid.
Don't let my visit brighten 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 tho world, and who can
bestow at will all the gifts of nature. |
was present ut your birth. l fashion
tho fate of all human beings, and l
have come here to learn from your own
lips how 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 tho
maSnificence of your gifts is SO great
that" -
"Mademoiselle, said he, interrupt
ing her, you have too much good sense
to make fun of a man whom you do not
know. Choose quickly. Which will you
have-titles, riches OF 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 otcr-
nal beauty. But what must 1 do to
obtain this precious gift?'
Mademoiscllc, said the stranger.
You must write your namo upon nv
tablets" And no presented to her an
old blackenod tablet, upon which she
signed her name. Then no gave her q
light tap of his black cane upon the left
shoulder. THAT will do now" he said.
j" You will be beautiful all through your
life, and you will live for long time.
You will create passions at period in
life when other women are in the hor-
rors of decrepitude. You will never
grow old. l give you the power to
charm everybody. During 5000 years
l have Travelled through the universe
from one end to the other, and upon the
earth l have only found four women
who were worthy of this great priv
lege. They were Semiramis, Helen,