The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
Personal Pulchritude.

Upon the return of summer travellers from mountain, seashore and abroad, the first impulse of the well-groomed woman is to go to the beauty doctor to have her self renovated. The wear and tear on ones skin, hands, nails and hair is little short of disastrous, and women are usu- ally very much upset over the freckles and sunburn which are always the re- suit of a summers s campaign.
 Yesterday afternoon Bettina and l wan dered in to have ourselves oyerhauled, and we had a time of iti
 Don't you hope we won't have to wait long?" said my companion.
 Indeed, I do," was my answer, as we opened the door and saw perfect droves of women sitting around waiting for the proverbial barbershop next" and who gave us a whole flight of stares' as we seated ourselves.
 In the several chairs curtained off like alcoves were women in various stages of dishevelment. Those sitting around would have been a study for the photograph man.
 A polite, attractive young woman ap- preached and Bettina said:
 A shampoo, a manicuring, and facial massage" please
 "Pm afraid you'll have to wait" was the answer. There are numbers of din- ner parties at the clubs this evening and several theatre parties and everyone wants to be made beautiful''
 That's why we are here" said Bettina, ESQ do hurry"
 At this we launched into an interesting conversation, which was quickly inter rupted by a voice from a nearby alcove, which said:
 You know I spent the summer at the seashore and my hair is so full of salt"
 The answer was from a very high soprano to this effect Why, you astound mel I've seen your bathing suit and the ocean, but I never beheld the two in contact"
 Bettina and I looked at each other and our eyes conveyed the how those girls love each other'' glance, but we said never word-just giggled. and the soothing voice of the Beauty Doctor soon stilled the troubled depths.
 Presently we heard about the splash of the water and sound of the spray:
 "I haven't seen Peggy since my re- turn, have you?'
 Good reason; you remember that lovely Titan hair she left home with this summer? Well it turned perfectly green when she got the salt water in it, and now, poor thing! she is hiber- hating until 1t gets back to the na- tural shade"
 "Bettina," I said, "did you hear the conundrum about the woman who asked her husband (after Dr. Woodruffs di- agnosis of the wicked blondeo which he considered made the best wife-a blonde or brunette?'
 'No;" responded Bettina; what IS the answer?"
 well. the husband said. you ought
 
 he horrid?"
 Inst at this psychological moment, from behind a curtain which up to the present had escaped our observation, emerged female, who looked Tor all the world like a victim Of the latest automobile accident She had on a cap of fine muslin, fastened under her cnln, and a mask of white rubber. She ap- peared to be making B line TOT Bettina and me-and we crouched close togther.
 You dear girs I didn't know you were here-when did you come in?' the ap- partition said-
 "Mercy!" I gasped, when I recognized the voice of one of our best friends. What are you having done to yourseifY' Having my face bleached, she re- piled q am so sunburned, and before l
  shoulders must be looked after
 And what is the cap for?" queried Rettina. whose curiosity was getting the best of her
 "Why to perfume my tresses," she ex- plained. "I am not having my hair bleached'
 Lean Jibbey, one of the SIX pest seh- ers?" I queried.
 ssE,x a ely said the heroine.
 CT am ready for you now said the beauty doctor. and Bettina and l were motioned to the alcoves arranged for us respectively, and I heard my companion say:
 Madame, am a perfect wreck.
 well" said the beauty doctor, Il will remedy all that!'
 From the adjoining booth to mine l heard these casualties recited:
 .I have crows feet around my eyes, sunburn, freckles faded hair, demolished hands. and I really need to be made all over madame.
 There was a murmur from Bettiha booth and one from mine at this an nouncement, but towels, wrappings and various other arrangements suppressed our hilarity, and soon We were ln the throes of the woman beautlfulS
 After an hours working, with Varlons implements and tools, we emerged, ana when beheld Bettina, who had arrived, looking rather demure and sedate, l ob- served her the happy possessor of colf- lure, not of lofty height, put "loe oI circumference a sort of Danton Robe eniarre arrangement, ornamented with curls. braids and various other hirsute accessories
 Am I not splendid?' she inquired It all cost me only SIP
 was overcome with laughter, for 1 thought she was the image of cat With it's ears wired
 ..you Tool, like Catherine de Medici. with 41e- .lonnn+nd waist and flat head" Bet