Bridgeton pioneer., 1914-01-22

cOna, Dealer In Human Hair"
Great heavens" l exclaimed, lis
she going to sacrifice those splendid
tresses?"
Having delayed few minutes, I en-
tered room In which there were
cases filed with switches, wigs and
other such articles. The senorita was
there In the act of taking down her
hair, the proprietor waiting to inspect
It. Seeing me enter, she hesitated,
and the proprietor led her into a rear
room curtained from the other. But
could see between the curtains and
hear the man bargaining for the hair.
stopped the proceedings by stepping
to the curtain and pulling 1t aside.
"Senor," ! said, Il have caught q
glimpse of this iady's hair and would
like to buy it. If you conclude to pur-
chase it will take it off your hands
at reasonable profit
Both the dealer and the lady were
somewhat surprised at my intrusion,
but the former said at once:
You are at liberty to make the
senorita an offer. / have more stock
on hand than | can use in these trou-
blous times"
"Very well. Tell the lady what you
would pay were you not overstocked."
Il would pay the highest price-in-
deed, more than the highest price-on
| account of the extreme length" He
named sum that the hair was worth.
"If the lady will accept that
amount" said, 81 will gladly pay it."
"Are you a dealer in such goods,
senor?" asked Senorita Garcia.
NO." stammered. 81 am not"
"Then may l ask for what you
want it?"
I have never been good at white ly-
| ing. If lie is excusable l would
rather tell big one than a little one
81 will explain" | said. Il am
about to be married to a young lady
who is recovering from a fever from
| which she lost her hair. 1t is grow
ing again, but very thin. 1t occurs
to me that l could make her no more
valuable present than switch made
of your splendid hair"
She appeared to believe the state
ment, but could see from her express
sion that she doubted the propriety of
such a gift. However, after regret
| full glance in a mirror at the treasure
on her head, she accepted my offer.
| "Will you take it now, senior" she
asked.
"No, senorita. l have not enough
1 A,,@ I
sum to bind the bargain and you need
not deliver the goods till the balance
is discharged
| / went through my pockets and found
enough money to pay 20 per cent on
the purchase.
But. senor, you do not know me.
You are taking risk"
81 know lady when see her."
81 assure you, senor," said the pro-
| prietor, ''you run mo risk whatever;
the senorita's family are well known
in Mexico. They have in their veins
the blood Of one of the conquerors."
| May l ask when the senior will call
for my hair?" asked the girl
81? Call for it?' l said to gain time
1 " SOHoCl uCt duOlueI llc. 1uS udL6
| of the wedding Is not yet fixed"
| The wearer of my property said
nothing more, but from the curious
| way she looked at me it was evident
that there was something in the trans
| action she did not understand. Writ
ing her address on a card she handed
1t to me and left the store. / sent her
L 10 hn1 .
chase money the same day, with a
caution on no account to cut off her
hair till called for it.
Senorita Garcia, not having any oc-
casion for my address, had not asked
for 1t. Since had nv use for her hair
and had only bought it to save it for
her, did not care for it. Weeks pass
ed before we met again. Meanwhile
l wondered If she would recognize me
at seeing me again. She had merely
glanced at me. In the pawnshop, and
In the rear room at the hair dealers
there was not enough light for her to
see me distinctly. Our third meeting
was on the street. AS I passed her
she stared at me, as if uncertain
w hCtACl WIS OF WAS uOC the OWNER
OF her hair. l looked straight ahead.
But she stopped me and said:-
"Senor?"
II beg pardon" raising my hat.
"Are you not the senior wh-who''-
"Who what, senorita?"
Bought my hair?"
was fixing for another lie, but saw
in her eye that it would not pass. I
smiled.
"Come, senor," she continued, with
great seriousness. "There is some
thing about this transaction that do
not understand. Several weeks ago
you bought my hair for your fiancee,
SO you said. You have paid the price
for 1t. but have not called for 1t. 1t is
yours, and l insist ON delivering it to
you or returning the money"
"Senorita," said, putting a slight
tremolo into my voice, ''the lady for
whom ! made that purchase is no
more