Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-03-31


me-" she said with smile.
She was but girl in heart, for as
she looked at them their beauty struck
her with sense Of pain She remem-
bered how often her husband had
praised those golden rings OF hair, for
his sake she Lent over them and kiss.
ed them with a passionate burst of
tears Then they were carefully de-
stroyed. She asked the assistance
Of the simple peasant woman who was
mistress Of the little house in procur-
ing a coarse black dress and black
shawl. She scrupulously destroyed
every thread of the clothing that might
have betrayed her, and then, clad in
her widows weeds, with a widows
cap half hiding her beautiful brow
she went away under the cover of
nights silence and darkness. She
walked for some miles as precaution
although there was little fear; then
she travelled rapidly TO Genoa, and
took the steamer for home.
She reached England in safety, and
then began to consider within herself
what she was to do with her life.
Was she sufficiently disguised? Was
II possible that in the sad, pale widow
any enc could recognize the brilliant
beautiful Lady Violante, She did not
think so. TO her there did not seem
one vestige Of her former SELF Still she
resolved TO make doubly sure.
In one OF the principal streets Of the
quiet little cathedral city of Dunhill
resided at that time NJ Poilleux, hair
dresser and perfumer, whose shop was
the admiration Of all ladies for the eX-
! quisite fragrance that pervaded 1t. NJ.
! Pollleux dealt largely in perfumes, in
toilet requisites, in fans, and vinaigret-
ties; but he prided himself chiefly on
his hairdressng NJ Poilleux was
dapper little Frenchman, whose head
bore ample testimony to his skill. No
man in Dlnhill had such glossy curls,
so neatly parted so well arranged One
trembIed for the interior seeing the
| eNlGIlOT was tht ODJcSI vi 81 ulu'h
solicltude.
NJ Poilleux like most of his gallant
nation, was a devOut admirer OF the
fair sex 1t was his one weakness, he
admitted frankly; but, parole dhch-
nGur. what was one to do when the
world was so fun of adorable charm
ers? He had never married." he was
accustomed to say, with half molan-
choly smile from the very fact that
he was bewildered by the many charm
ers he knew, and could never choose
between rival beauties of equal
merit" And one bright September
morning, NJ Poillcux stood at his own
shop door in a state of radiant salts
faction with himself and every enc
around him. The sun was shining
and the contents Of his window, so
gracefully arranged glistened in the
snbeams. The fashionables of Dun
hin were not yet astir for the morn
ing was yet early; so monsieur stood
calmly surveying the street admiring
his own shop and his own person far
more than anything else. As he stood,
calmly meditative. lady walked
slowly M the street. He called her
lady in his own mind, from her tall,
graceful figure and easy carriage. She
was dressed in coarse, common mourn
ing and wore widows cap She
stepped into NJ. PoilleuX's shop, and he
made way for her with the most polite
! A. ~, -,,I a .rt, lad fnI
herself and spoke in voice so low
that he was Obliged to bend over her
in order to hear
Did he sell false hair"
oh yes, indeed" He was all
sympathy Madame had perhaps
been ill., had lost her hair and wished
to replace it,"
But the lady never raised her veil.
She showed no pleasure, no interest
What color, madame would you
| like to see asked the gallant little
hardresser, almost dancing in the
excess Of his desire to please her,
Madame must in the purchase of
hair study her complexion, the tints
of her face, as nature glories in perfect
harmony.
But the lady never even locked at
the paits and curls presented to her.
Il want a plain braid of black
hair she said,
"BlaCk, madame" asked the artist
In wonder; for beneath the thick
Grape veil he caught a glimpse of
fair sad face and violet eyes a face
so sad, so woe-hegone, SO hopeless. so
desparing. that his strength almost
failed him
"A plain braid of black hair said
the low voice again; land could YOU
here there was SO much hesitation
that NJ Poilleux coughed IA ,hc most
politC manner to cover it-"cCuld you
sell me anything that would--dye
black
"nyo what. madame" asked NJ.
poiloux, heginning to suspect mys-