Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-12-09

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"Gustave Vernon, Theatrical Supplies
and Fancy Costume Maker" Above
the door in big gilt letters that is mon
sieurs sign, and but for it any one
passing along the dingy alley would
wonder why the enterprising agent had
not invaded with his mOnotonous For
Rent" Against the paint blistered door
and windows a cheap green cheese
cloth, crumpled and faded, screens of
the broad interior. To street view there
is nothing on display, nothing save the
intricate weavings of the spider and
the inevitable remains Of his unwary
victim.
Inside, however, all is different. The
store is large, low in the ceiling and
when without artificial light very dark,
for the alley is narrow, and the build
ings on the opposite side are high. But
if it is dark monsieur is saving In his
light bill. and there is luster, mys-
FERROUS sheen, peryading the entire
room. On varicolored pedestals rising
in tiers on every side from floor to cell
ing stand hundreds Of glittering fig
ures. Some are wax, some wooden,
some PAPER mache, warriors In bur
nished coats of mail, kings and knights
In purple and gold, queens and ladies'
In silver and silks, crowns and coro-
nets, spears and shields, serpents and
dragons-everything in the world of
tinsel and spangles. And here and
there. cunningly shaded beneath pow
erful rehectors, q few ruby electric
bulbs do duty for fifty light chande-
lier, and the effect is mellow, pleasing,
not dazzling, as monsieur would like 1t
to be.
In the false face corner, the darkest
In the store, sits a girl, mere silhou-
cite against the yawning archway
leading to the gallery above. She is
small, trim figure in dark blue skirt
and white shirt waist. Her face Is
small and pale, set in a wealth of Jet
black hair twisted smooth and high,
with a glittering butterfly aigret flut-
tering in it, and she is painting, paint
ing whiskers Oh bluff King Hal. On the
table before her she has all the colors
and implements In the professional art
lists box, and she paints with the Japa-
nese dizziness Of tOuch-One, two, three.
curl, q curve, a daub, and the thing
Is done.
Above her dainty head hangs heter-
ogeneous stock of faces, life size and
wonderfully lifelike-Rlchard the Lion
Hearted scowling at RObespierre,
Svengali sneering at the pope, smil-
ing Gibson girl ogling the sulky Ma
poleon, and far down, down on the
floor, sits his majesty on ashes Of elm
kered sin.
In the store all is quiet, not the tick
ing Of clock, not the purring of
cat, not even street urchin
whistling in the alley outside, just an
occasional little sniff from mamselle's
sensitive nose.
Suddenly a door opens out from the
wall above. Unless you saw it open
you wouldn't believe it was a door. 1t
has been very carefully cut in the par
tition, and the partition is stained
dull olive green. There are many
such cunning little stage traps In Gus
tave's, and it was Gustave himself who
popped out his crisp, curly head.
JUNE" he whispered, looking anx-
iously down at the trim little figure be-
low
"Ah, mon PEREZ" she breathed, smil-
ing up into his face, surely you are
early, mine. NJ. Nugent, he will not
come until 4, and l give heem one hour.
NJ. Hammond, he will come at 5, and
But eet is 4 now, JUNE, past 4, my
child" said Gustave softly.
"Hushl Footsteps. Ma fol, mon
pere, he comes. In, in, monsieur"
Click The partition door closed
tight. SyeDgali and the pope swung |
to the length of their strings |
and still moved when Mr.. Nugent |
came up to the little table.
"Junie," he began, very tenderly.
ooh. NJ. Nugent" she responded,
with a swift upward glance, and went |
OH retouching 'he royal Bluebeard
For moment lie gazed dreamily on
the smooth, black hair coils, bent a
rifle lower than need be. Was it the |
ruby light? No! At least so he promptly
decided when he caught sight of the
tinge of pink on her rounded
cheek.
"Junie," he repeated earnestly.
monsieur" she whispered, warming
y and with a roguisl twinkle In her
Eye. you see | am very busy Mon
)ere is behind, But iv eet is angling
yOu want to buy zen of course am
lere to attend"
"Junie," he murmured, and his voice
rilled and trembled, "you know that
that | want is priceless. | cannot buy
t. No man can ever buy it. JUNE,
want love, your love, my Junie." and.
browning discretion to the Winds, he
anne perilously near the table.
She laid King Henry aside and dis
'osed OF the paint brush where it could
10 no harm.
FLUSH, hush, monsieur" she caution
d, and her eyes travelled swiftly over
he gallery Of masks. Why that faint.
ickering smile? Was 1t smile? In
but only for an instant, his
age followed hers. Yes, 1t was a smile,
nd it spelled encouragement for him.
With a confidence born Of the dark and
olitary corner, he seized her small
yhite hand and looked hungrily into
Ter eyes. Indignant, she tried to jerk
t away. but he only clasped it tighter,
rawing nearer, nearer, till she felt the
yarmth Of his breath on her face.
81 love you. love you" he cried pas.
mo, no, do not shrink from
ne, JUNE. You used not TO shrink from
ne." HI made to kiss her, but she
urned her head away. "Junie," he
loaded, lyon kissed me last night.