Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-09-26
A STORY OF A NOSE

ed mine.
Il beg your pardon"
"The pardon is granted" said. smil-
ing. had taken off my mask on ac-
count OF the oppressive heat and did
not object to revealing my identity 10
the charming person ut my side
'How love poetry" she exclaimed,
toying with her fan. Fancy Titania
with fan! "Nvill you make me the
subject OF sonnet?"
The question came so coquettishly,
those eyes gazed into mine so beseech.
ingly, that | involuntarily said, yes,
certainly. but must know your name
"My name?" she repeated. How stu
pidl Can't you invent one which will
suit your fancy? Call me Verona or
Jessica."
cor Titania." suggested. But, dear
Titania, lift that hideous mask and let
me gaze into your countenance. Let
me know who 1t is that honors me with
her society"
mo you will not thank me for show
ing my features. | assure you ! am
very ugly"
"Impossiblew | cried. "Were a man
to venture such an assertion | swear l
would punch his head. You ugly? II
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. 81 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 nose TO de-
stroy the combined effect of so many
charms? Please remove the mask"
well" said my fairy, with a merry
laugh, II shall do as you desire. Re
ceive as your just punishment the task
of untying my mask"
was aware OF n surprising nervous
ness as | bent over that delicate head
and united the strings. Then for the
next few moments | stood transiixed.
What a nose! 1t was a 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. monster Of such
hidcous aspect. that l shuddered.
| felt discounted, and, suddenly rec.
ollecting an engagement with friend,
FASTENED off without daring to gaze
upon my enchantress, who I'm the
meantime was laughing in the most
unconcerned manner possible. This fe-
male Cyrano de Bergerac had evident
ly become reconcied TO her misfortune.
On reaching the foyer fell into seat
and tried to reflect. 'Is the govern
ment powerless." | thought, ito pre-
vent such outrages, such terrorism?"
A waiter approached me and asked
me If | would have something to eat.
Mechanically | gave him an order,
which was soon served. While eating
tried to forget the monster | had exor-
cised. Good heavens! 1t approached
tania, leaning upon the arm of n man
disguised like an Indian. 1t was too
late To slip under the table, for she had
already seen me, and, approaching me
with bewldering smile which took in
all her features except her nose, she
said:
"How quickly you deserted me.
feared something had happened to
you"
She laughed. Oh. if the Indian had
but laughed! should have vented my
feelings on him, but he was as sober as
an owl.
After the first shock was over I felt
sorry for the unfortunate creature and
rather ashamed of my abrupt conduct.
"Will you forgive me-" asked, ''for
deserving you so unceremoniouslyY
Certainly" she replied. did | not
predict it? You will admit at all events
that am hideous'
Il will admit nothing of the kind"
replied CALAMITY as | caught n glance
of her bright eyes. but | would sug-
gest an operation"
"Oh, that is simple!" she said merri-
ly. you see it is a detachable nose. |
have merely to pull, see. and off it
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,
Gliding myself for fool, and all night
followed her in my dreams, fleeting
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
rs Mrs. Soby.-Boston Traveller.