The Newtown bee., 1905-03-17

great letters, or square, awkward box es, for which her customers were ex- pected to pay extra.
 On the following Sunday morning, only the minister's wife, who dared not, and the widows on the church's indigent fund, who could not, were the sole women of the congregation whose conscious heads did not support "creations , It was busy day for the recording angel, and foretaste of Paradise Lost for poor Miss Wrig ht For Madame Alphonsine's creations were unmistakably things of beauty and joys forever!
 Before the town could settle down. to it's wonted quietism after this so-' cial disturbance, it gradually began to be known that strange things went on in the little back room of the Maison Germaine, as Alphonsine had grandil- oquently styled her shop. It became the custom for the gilded youth of Salisbury to gather there O. nights, while their elders were at prayermeet- ing, perchance, and the tall, dark man. milliner graciously accommodated such visitors as would try their luck at cards,-all the time Mime Alphonsine's beringed hands stirred ragouts and other delicious smelling things in chating dish on the table near, serving them with vlvacious hospitality to the guests, later on.
 It was in the nature of things that young John Frost should fall an easy victim to madame's charms; and that, after the customary period of clandes- tine intercourse, he should audaciously brave public opinion by driving with her through the village street, when the sleighing was at its best, hard, determined look upon his face, while madame's chatter was as merry as was the jingle of the silver bells.
 The force of depravity could no fur ther go! At least, from the Salisbury standpoint of morality.
 The boys defection was worse to John Frost, ST., than had been any hardship of his youth, or trials of his
 manhood's years. He remonstrated
 with his nephew, only to be met by sullenness and silence.
 It hurt him worst of all, to realize
 what Jacks conduct must mean to
 Kitty; and as the days went on, the elder man tried to avoid the girl, since
 there was no explanation to be made;
 leaving the house early in the morn ing and returning late at night, mak- ing business hls excuse. When at home, he shut himself in his study, keeping aloof from Kitty and her
 mother; yet he was not unaware of the change which was coming over the girl. He noted the gravity which had replaced her vivacity, the sad look
 which came into her eyes whenever he accidentally encountered her in the hall or on the walk, and it was diff cult for him to repress a feeling of hatred for the youth who had brought this cruel change to pass.
 Meantime, as regards Mme Alphon- sine's, matters went from bad to worse. The other youths, recognizing Jack Frost's right of conquest, still congre- gated in the little room back of the shop, where the sleek Adelbard played the willing host, feecing them with artleSs art.
 There came day when the minis ters' conference put aside all consider ations of theological import, to deba te
 what had better be done toward rid ding the town of the vivacious Alphon- sine. The parsons had all their lives recognized the existence of the princi- pie of evil: but never in such an allur- ing form as Mime Germaine; and one sorely tried mortal, whose only son had fallen victim to the black-eyed French woman's spell, was for tearing the roof down over her pretty head. But sager counsels prevailed. Toward the last of January, Kitty Clark really began to ail, and was forc- ed to give up her pupils; and as a mat. ter of course, the townspeople put their own construction upon her ill., ness. My dear, they say the careering of young Jack Frost is simply killing the girl!' the gossips confded to one another.
 Under the circumstances, Jack Frost's uncle was forced to modify his Spartan rules, and there were gifts of fruit and flowers and books; and he even went so far as to again remon- strate with his nephew, limiting that if the young scapegrace did not show greater consideration for Kitty, there might be the irrational cutting off with the proverbial shilling; and that the foreign mission fields might bene- fit in consequence!
 Jack was remorseful to degree, and overwhelmed Kitty with violets and bonbons; nevertheless, Alphonsine had no cause to complain of neglect So the eve of St Valentines day found conditions in the little world of Salisbury. The morrow was, as AL phonsine took care to remind Jack, her birthday, also.
 'Little beggar!' he muttered vi- ciously; 'I know what that means!" and seeking the nearest stationer's, he demanded to be shown the most ex- penSive of the seasons sentimental