The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-08-20
AUGUST 20, 1901
TUESDAY........A
A STORY OF A NOSE


not object to revealing my identity 10
the charming person at my side
How love poetry" she exclaimed,
toying with her fan. Fancy Titania
with a FAM "Win you make me the
subject Of a sonnet?"
The question came so coQuettlshly,
those eyes gazed into mine so besecch-
ingly, that | involuntarily said, "Yes.
certainly, but | must know your name"
my name?" she repeated. How stu
pid, Can't you invent one which VIII
suit your fancy? Call me Verona or
JeSsica."
"Or Titania." suggested. But, dear
Titania. lift that hideous mask and LEI
me gaze into your countenance. Let
me know who II is that honors me with
her society"
mo, you will not thank me for show
ing my features. assure you l am
very ugly"
"Impossibler' 1 cried "Were a man
to venture such an rtlon swear
would punch his Il. You ugly? 1t
cannot be-
Believe me. sir, am sight to be
hold. If you saw my face, you would
flee from my presence. l value your
company too highly to drive you from
my side"
What consummate cruelty" | ex.
claimed. Il am sure you are beautiful
l have seen all your features but your
nose. Well, ask in the name Of all the
powers is II possible for a nose 10 de
stroy the combined effect of so man
charms? Please remove the mask"
Well" said my fairy, with merry
laugh. Il shall do as you desire. Re
ceive as your just punishment the task
Of untying my mask
was aware Of a surprising nervous
ness as bent over that delicate head
and united the strings. Then for the
next few moments l stood transfxed.
What a nose! Ii was wonderful
freak Of nature. The height of our
Bunker Hill monument, the immensely
of our Niagara falls. the magnitude of
our last river and harbor bill. all dwin-
died down into insignifcance when
compared with that nose. 1t was a
sphinx. a pyramid, a monster of such
hideous aspect. that shuddered.
! felt discounted, and. suddenly rec
ollecting an engagement with friend,
l FASTENED of without daring to gaze
upon my enchantress. who in the
meantime was laughing in the most
uncOncerned manner possible. This fe-
male Cyrano de Bergerac had evident
~ become reconciled TO her misfortune.
On reaching the foyer l fell into seat
and tired to reflect. Us the govern
ment powerless." l thought, ito pre-
vent such outrages, such terrorism"
A waiter approached me and asked
me il would have something TO eat.
Mechanically l gave him an order,
which was soon served. While eating |
tried to forget the monster | had eXor-
cised Good heavens 1t approached
me. the nose. faithfully backed by tt
tania, leaning upon the arm Of man
disguised like an Indian. 1t was toe
late to slip under the table, for she had
already seen me. and, approaching me
with a bewildering smile which took In
all her features except her nose, q
said:
How quickly you deserted me.
feared something had happened
you"
She laughed Oh, if the Indian had
but laughed! l should have vented my
feelings on him, but he was as sober as
an owl
After the first shock was over felt
sorry for the unfortunate creature and
rather ashamed Of my abrupt conduct.
"Wnl you forgive me-" l asked, for
deserving you so unceremonlouslyT
Certainly" she replied. "Did l not
predict it? You will admit at all events
that am hideOus."
81 will admit nothing Of the kind" !
replied CALAMITY as caught a glance
of her bright eyes. "but l would sug-
gest an operation"
ooh, that is simpler she said merri-
". "You see it is q detachable nose.
have merely to pull, see, and off 1t
comes"
Titania gave a gentle pull, and the
nose remained In her hand, revealing
her true features as pretty as the rest
Of her face.
Before had time to recover from my
establishment she had taken the In
dams arm and had disappeared.
sought for her in vain during the
entire night, but every trace Of her was
lost. | returned home disconsolate,
chidng myself for fool, and all night
l followed her In my dreams, feeting
vision of loneliness, with a perfect
nose.
How we met again might form the
subject OF another and more romantic
story, for Titania Is now quite happy
as Mrs. Soby.-Boston Traveller.