Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-04-04


me-" she said, with a smile.
She was but a girl in heart, for as
she looked at them their beauty struck
her with a sense of pain. She remem-
bered how often her husband had
praised those golden rings CT 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 a 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
it 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 CT the principal streets of the
quiet little cathedral city of Dunhill
resided at that time M. Poilleux, hair
dresser and perfumer, whose shop was
the admiration Of all ladies for the ex-
quisite fragrance that pervaded it. NJ.
Poilleux dealt largely in perfumes, in
toilet requisites, in fans, and vinaigret-
ties; but he prided himself chiefly on
his hairdressng. M. Poilleux was
dapper little Frenchman, whose head
bore ample testimony to his skill No
man in Dunhill had such glossy curls,
so neatly parted, so well arranged. One
trembled for the interior, seeing the
exterior was the object of so much
solicitude.
M. 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 d'hon-
neur, what was one to do when the
world was so full Of adorable charm
ers? He had never married" he was
TO say, with a half melan-
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. Poilleux stood at his own
shop door, in a state of radiant salts
faction with himself and every one
around him. The sun was shining,
and the contents of his window, so
gracefully arranged, glistened in the
sunbeams. The fashionables of Dun
hill 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, a lady walked
slowly up the street. He called her
a lady in his own mind from her tall.
graceful figure and easy carriage. She
was dressed in coarse, common mourn
ing, and were a widows cap. She
stepped into M. Poilleux's shop, and he
made way for her with the most polite
bow he could give. The lady seated
herself and spoke in a 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 i'll, 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
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 plaits 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 a
fair sad face and violet eyes-a face
so sad. so woe-begone, so hopeless, so
despairing. that his strength almost
failed him.
"A plain braid of black hair" said
the low voice again; and could you'-
here there was so much hesitation
that NJ. Poilleux coughed in the most
polite manner to cover it-"cculd you
sell me anything that would-dye
black?"
Dye what, madame?" asked NJ.
Poilleux, lightning to suspect a mys-
terry.
THAT would dye eyebrows black, so
y - :. l. -