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

! club, nor at the theater, nor any place
| that he frequented. Marcel inquired
| for him of friends and besieged the
| servants who answered his door.
M. lie Colnte had left Algiers very
suddenly" they responded, without
| saying where he was going or how
long he would remain
A departure like this naturally led TO
many comments and suggestions.
But in Algiers one thinks only of those
| whom one meets every day, and for
gets in some degree those that one
does not see.
4 menth passed, and then one even
ing at club Marcel and Benoist's wager
upon the coiffeur'S wonderful figure
brought up the subject again. But
she's there no more, you know" de-
clared Captain Rochefort.
What, gone fOrever:'' some one
asked.
so it seems
! And SO eventually it proved. The
| window was rearranged now and fill
| ed with miscellaneous collection of
al sorts Of things for Il lady's toilet
/ --fichuS, flowers, combs. brushes, per
fumes and buckles, but no pretty
| blonde head.
But she wasn't there always at
first, Rochefort, you know" cried a
voice at the back, only occasionally.
Perhaps we miss her
NO, she has departed said Roche
fort. I've watched and waited; it is
Il total eclipse. Deuced hard, | take it,
for that pretty face was Il mascot to
me. When l stopped to look at her
and she seemed to smile upon me /
had invariable luck at piQuet and BAG
carat"
''And rs for me- remarked another,
when she gave me 4 look"
This was too much. Disturbed in
his game of cards the old Comte Clair
vile brought the chatter to an end
With a sharp rap on the table. A wax
figure. smiling and gazing at passers
by? Pooh! What rubbish! Not to be
tOlera ted in 4 serious game of piQuet.
Marcel alone remained thoughtful, and
the cafe that once before had served
him as an observatory. The window
opposite was still minus the figure,
and appeared not even to expect one;
| the place once graced by the beautiful
| head was otherwise occupied. Watch
ing and rejecting over this strange
turn of affairs, Marcel suddenly saw
| 10 CHI &Hn
tie coiffeur; but, heaven! was it real
ly he or only his shadow? The little
man had aged full ten years. He
was neither powdered, pomatumed
nor curled. His costume even betray-
ed Il careless air, and the shopwoman
| watched him as though disturbed in
her mind. Marcel, moved by curiosi-
ty, crossed the road. The coiffeur
recognized him instantly.
II would like to speak with you
privately, monsieur" began Marcel,
eff you can kindly spare a moment"
with pleasure" the coiffeur mourn
fully replied, promptly leading the way
into an apartment at the back that
was filled with boxes o. hair.
Excuse me, monsieur" said he
apofogetically, for bringing you here
but I guess what you are going to
say. and as I can not speak without
weeping II do not wish to be seen
from the outside"
Certainly, certainly" Marcel return
cd, seating himself like a man who
| this time intends to have his say out;
you received me rather brusquely the
other day, when first I approached
! you, but bygones are bygones, and I
wish to know what has become Of
of her"
"Ah. monsieur" cried the coiffeur,
interrupting him, chow right you We're!
! She was beauty incarnate, she was
| enchanting to you. a mere outside Oh
| server, lima CINE then what she seemed
! him who had cOnsecrated himself to
| her-who had passed his mornings in
! decking and dressing her, in combing
| and brushing her magnificent tresses,
his days in adoring her. his nights
! in watching her peaceful slumber!
i hOuSlpuT. i ALL IL lCSL HAL. IAtiC 10
no consolation for Il sorrow so pro
/ found as mine. But speak. monsieur,
what is it you wish to -say?"
/ "Only this replied Marcel From
what you have said, and from your
empty window. take it that you have
been robbed-that the head once in
your possession has been stolen. Well,
Tn a plain man, and go straight to
the point. You will have to replace
her, and I want you to order two in
stead of one. I suppose she came
from Paris"
The coiffeur stared like one be-
wfldered. What do you say, mon
sieur? Two instead Of one? You are
ignorant, then? You do not apprec-
ate the extent of my 1oss?"
"On the contrary" Marcel respond
ed, cheerfully, Il do appreciate it
fully, and respect your sorrow, but
since you have been aNe to find one,
you will surely be able to find others.
This is a seasonable suggestion, is it
not?" The coiffeur paused a moment
with emotion, and then began to talk
brea thlessly. Monsieur, you do not
understand. l discovered her, so to
| 60 Do