Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-04-18
CHAPTI:R Ill.
a. lady OF OTuER DAYS.

ablstAtSVtS w NAlal vi
the establishment of Percerin in the
early years of the grand monarch. al
belt the illustriouS Pcrcerin was a
clothier of the male form II the il
lustrlous Behrens (Bompard vas a
mNth) OF the female.
The house of labillc, once famous,
had received its death blow owing to
the fact that Madame du Barry had
once been an employee. the ladies of the
court withdrawing their custom as "a
protest agains 1.-THE origin OF the wom-
an whom fate had placed above them.
and with the fading OF the Maison La
bile the Maison. Rchrens blossomed
forth.
Eehrens vas II small mar with a
great personality. possessing Il genius
for color and effect. Il keen eye for a
doubtful customer, and a ready tongue.
His show rooms were the meeting
place of the elegant world who came to
discuss silk n scandals. to try on
dresses and opinions. or simply to ex-
anime new models and to talk of hats
with Bchrens.
Behrens, great mar thai he was. |
had risen to the occasion. He had
spent 100. 900 franc on the decoration
and enlargement of his premises. tall
iootmen served chocolate 20 those re-
curing it. his female assistants were
plain OF feature and modest. as though
to say. NO du Barry shall eve sprout |
from here In short. in an age when
n,odiste a h synonym OF a hotbed
OF vice, BehrenS made his establish |
nlent all propriety, and 1t paid. His
customers. in fact. were Inc only blot
on the fair name of his shop. and this
was not his fault. for they wera the
best he could fine.
ON the morning after De Sartines'
Interview with Lavenne, Madam de
Joyeuse. a woman of so. the ghost of q |
beauty. dressed In black, as if in
ymn1NrvNi1y for hnN 1,St sale .,-A.l 1
in the silk room of Monsieur Behrens.
examining brocades. This lady. who
had gained a great name for pietv and |
religious o-bservances. was the wife OF
that young gentleman whom we have
already seen accosting Monsieur de |
Sartines at Versailles. She was seated
in Il stif. high-backed armchair. her
feet on a footstool. while behind her.
motionless. dressed in a crimson livery. |
four feet high n looking as IL carved
from ebony, stood Zapolite, her black
page boy.
Though Labille had been excom-
m~unicated by the ladies of Paris. his
former shop girl. strange to say. set the |
faShionS: women Sneered at yet opted |
her. and the sight of Zamore behind |
her carriage a set the fashion for
negroes. Their scarcity helped the
craze.
The history of Zapolite was less the
history OF a human being than that Of
a toby jug or rars piece Of china. be-.
longing to this person and tina in
turn. It vas said that Madame de
Joyeuse had won him at cards.
Behrens' chief assistant was on his
knees before madame. holding the bro
cade this way and that for the light
to strike 1t, when from the doorway |
leading into the hat department. Nom
sieur Behrens himself appeared. fol-
lowed by a lady.
1t was Madame de Stenlis. q woman
OF 80. yet looking scarcely %. exquis-
itely- dressed In a robe of striped white
and lavender material. wearing a large
picture hat adorned with plumes of
hand. as was then the fashion. a tall
walking ane adorned with q bow Of
ribbon.
The two ladies bowed one to the
other and exchanged greetings. while
Behrens went to fetch the silk tina |
Madame de Stenlis wished to see.
And how Is dear Monsieur de JOY !
euse%" asked the OUNCE oma TAX |
ing her seat on a fauteuil almost facing |
the and with command OF two |
mirrors.
Monsieur de Joyeuse 10 very we'll" |
replied madame. with an edge on her |
voice, for her female friends. with that
kindness Of heart 40 distinctive Of the
sex. were never forgetful OF this in
Quiry. which was often the opening |
gaMbit OF duel OF tongues.
And IA youthful a . ever"
As youthful a ever, madame. n
happy In his youth. An. madame. what
. great thing l. youth! One can say
for II this. at least. It has no past
Now. Madame de 6tenlis possessed
which more va guessed than known.
That 10 20" replied %. Yet have
you not often felt. madame. what .
dianlal thing 10 age In that Il has no