, 1899-01-24
STORY OF A NOSE.

Nj Wv vi II NOSl.
The Juror that Cyrano's nose has
made in two continents makes timely
the question, How would "a play turn.
ing upon a fascinating woman with a
dubious turnip nose be received? 1t
doubtless would be at once doomed to
disaster. The question of such a pro
bosois upon a woman is wittily handled
in the sparkling little translation from
the Spanish which we print herewith.
1t is reminiscent of the aneCdote which
is told of Arago, the famous French
scientist, who was gifted by Providence
with a great brain and a mighty nose.
During carnival time-when in Paris
in the old days all sorts of prauks and
curious costumes were permitted-Ara-
go found himself in an omnibus oppo-
site a mother and her infant child. At
sight Of Arago's extraordinary beak the
infant set up u dismal wall. The moth
er at first attempted to quiet the terri
fed infant, but, failing, took courage
in her two hands, as the French say,
and at once impulsively exclaimed to
Arago, ooh, monsieur, | beg of you to
take off your nosel" The irritated
scientist was obliged to explain that his
nose was not n carnival nose, but that
it belonged there. The incident in this
little translation suggests the Arago
anecdote.
MY little masquerader, is it possible
that l am not to see your face?'
.-. L. MI. l,x- 50 ....T.
ing you counsels me to keep the mask
on"
Your conversation charms me and
every word increases my ~impatience to
know you"
Ibid you not call me the sweet OBJ.
ject of your inspiration? While / remain
concealed l am sure of hearing fiatter
ing expressions from your mouth, to
which l am not accustomed perhaps. If
i remove this protecting Grape from my
face, then farewell to illusionr'
This modesty is to me the best proof
of your merit"
"Yes, l have the merit of being mod.
est-no, l am wrong-I mean of being
sincere"
"You-you are not ugly, lean swear
1t. Only one thing would grieve me, u
l continued, eff You should unmask."
"What?"
"That it would not be lawful to
speak to you as to n mountain girl-as
to a masquerader. Now l speak to you
as nn intimate friend or u lover would
do"
"Were l to commit the indiscretion
Of taking off my mask you would has.
ten to leave me. You would hardly be
able to articulate an Indifferent and ir.
ritable Farewell, LADY,
II will suppose for a moment that
you are ugly, hideous. Could you re.
move with the mask the spell that al.
lures me? II the attractions of your
conversation, of this voice that bewitch-
es me, of this grace that charms me,
can be removed with the mask, how
can a woman appear ill with such
gifts? II your face is ugly, l pardon
you for it."
But are you more indulgent than
other men? In their eyes ugliness is a
woman q greatest crime"
"Oh, l am of another species, C else
you calumniate the men, little noun
tain girl. Undo this mask that tor.
menus me, ana you Will see now lat
from being cooled, my affection VIII
augment. DO not peiieVo my PROPOSE
ton is so venturesome. Where can tlis
ugllness reside win wh1oh you pre'eh"
to brighten me? Do l not behold the ele
gance of your shape? Do | not clasp
your beautiful hand' Am not iasoi,
mated with YOU small n eraceiul
FOOT! Does not the paipitatioh OF mat
heavenly bosom reveal the greatest en-
Commitment! 10 not the beams oi iish'
from those charming Drown eyes piefce
me! Ihose ebony tresses' tha9 form
such u lovely contrast WIN tue aaZziins
whiteness OF your throat whose are
they but yours Ii there was AWNING
the movement of your head-whioh |