The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-26

ready cOnNsrAteu MS OVER
coat, and was on the point OF
conhscating his hat. That
IL noble hat. which he had pur-
chased from fashionable hat
ter only that very morning for p francs.
But by adroit Vancouver the lackey's
designs were frustrated. and Monsieur
Charles Dantois. artist, with hat in hand.
passed triumphantly into the salon-the
hat first. the artist after.
"Audacious footman" said Dantois to
himself: does he imagine this hat was
purchased to ornament hall or an ante
room? Parbleu. auel fmpertinenceG"
Certainly not. for the hat In the designs
of Monsieur Dantois was to play con-
spicuous part during the evening. He
would use IL az a pretty woman uses hei
fan, to give grace and elegance to his
conversation and gestures, and without
appearing TO attach any Importance TO
the noble structure intended to brandish
II In a sort of careless way before the
eyes of the distinguished guests in Nine.
de Jeuses salon. Indeed. that very
morning, In the privacy Of his own apart
ment with no witness but the silent
mirror, Charles Dantois, with the new hat
pressed close to his manly bosom. had
bowed in Imagination TO crowd of dis
tinguished men and n whole gallery of
beautiful decollete women gathered In tina
gilded salon OF Nine. de Jeuse.
But he found the salon empty. There
was nothing to bow TO but the rich GRIM
son satin furniture and the marble statue
OF Canova's Dancing Girl" Instead OF
the anticipated murmurs OF admiration
for the Dantois hat. no sound disturbed
| the silence OF the gorgeous apartment but
the cracking OF the logs as they Kissed
and amused themselves In the splendid
chimneypiece The artist was vexed. dis
appointed. Madame evidently Intended
merely a tete-a-tete. And where would
be the opportunity of the Dantois hat?
moments reflection. however. con-
WINGED him that the widow was really
paving him a complment-she wished
him all to herself. This idea tickled his
vanity. and he phiosophically resigned
himself to an evening deux.
Charles Dantois really believed that he
was desperately In love with Nine. de
Jeuse. whom he had met for the first
time three weeks previous TO this partic-
uiar night at a soree given at the house
OF a mutual friend, His handsome face.
picturesque appearance and courteous
manner mingled with certain noncha-
lance and laissezalier air. had attracted
the widow, who was young, pretty and
rich. hut "a capricious "a wild bird.
Since that evening the artist and widow
had met several times. and there existed
already between them a certain under
standing, and both considered themselves
desperately In. love.
II must be admitted. however that the
artist was not inseneibe to Nine. de
| Jeuse's gold. and saw In the haison a
stepping stone TO riches and fame He
recalled other artists, certain friends OF
| his less talented, who. thanks TO a
uaisou discreetly circulated. with a rich
and fashionable woman, had sprung into
Immediate fortune and fame. Here was
| HIS opportunity, and he resolved to make
\ the most Of H.
As the lover of the elegant Nine de
| Jense. he must change his lodgings. and
| incidentally his clothes. The broad. soft
| sombrero and long cloak. the picturesque
symbols OF hts artistic temperament, must
| be sacrificed on the altar of love and
gold. He determined TO dress fashionahly,
and had the determination rested solely
| with himself the netamorphose would
| have been instanter: but there was one
| obstacle in the way. He lacked capital
| IN other words. money; neither had he
! credit with fashionable tailor. so. after
| mature deliheratian. DantoiS resolved that
| his metamorphose should begin modestly
| with the purchase OF a tail silk tile
| Now. tho hat. though merely an aces
| sorry TO the toilette. Possesses it's own Pc
| cuiiar Importance. and. perchcd upon the
| PINNACLE Of the human body. commands
| attention and fascinates the eye. while It's
| ulster sheds a sort Of glory over the en-
| tire personnel men, hkAins the nat u
| really symbolical. and Of, prociaims the
| man.
| Daniois felt n decided pride In his tall.
\ shining tile as ne t-nderiy careased the
/ nap and, according 90 hts way o. think
| Ing. its possession had already numbered
| him with the men Of fame and distinction.
| To acquire u. no had voluntarily sAcri-
| need the noble twenty francs. which he
was accustomed 10 lose regularly at the
/ sunday races, and this fact greatly en-
1 deAFed the silk hat % his artistic heart,
| Alone IN the salon. he elaborated wheth-
| cr 20 remain standing. hat tn hand, as one
| would hold bouquet Dc heurS or "a
| throw himself into a chAls with the slik
| tile carslessiy placed beside him Above
1 all he did not With 20 appear ridiculous
| IN the eyes ~ the little widow. To re-
| main for "A quarter % an hour standing
| with hat Ia hand might impress THIS
/ fashionable woman ~ the world a. bad
| form ard even ridiculous Bu; where
| placed the treasured tie He surveyed
the room with bis artistic eye-sne eye o.