Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-06-06
ROCKVILLE. MARYLAND. FRIDAY MORNING,
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Monsieur
Toupee
By MILDRED P. MERRYMAN


=
(Copyrlght.)
7 AURETTE FROISSARD slipped
~ the key from her mesh bag and
turned the lock of her apartment door.
YEARLY she entered, dragged off her
hat and sank to the worn velour of
the living room sofa. From his cage
in the sunshine, yellow canary
chirped his greeting. Laurette did not
hear.
Felice, her maid, entered.
"Ah." murmured Felice, what a
pity! Madame is exhausted-quite ex-
haustedl Madame has had no luck?"
"None," said Laurette; mot scrapl
II Is to laugh, Fellcel In desperation
one becomes a blond to please the
managers and behold, at the moment
of accomplishment, blends cease to
be the order Of the day. And so with
figures-I diet, | eschew every dell
cacy; ! consume whole mountains of
lettuce to no purpose. OF sudden
curves become the fashion. No one
will have me and that's the truth
Not line can get grow old. Fe
lice, | admit it-and therein lies the
difficultyP
She sighed. Lifting her gaze to the
table, her brows quirked In amuse
ment On 1t reposed basket of
bright spring flowers. Shell-pink snap
dragons rose in dewy freshness to
minge with long spikes Of deep blue
larkspur, cups of purple tulips and
golden daffodis.
"Hmp breathed Laurette, "a callerT
"a gentleman" replied Felice; "the
gentleman to whom Madame is pleased
to refer facetlously as Monsieur
Toupee."
"Ah." exclaimed Laurette; $50 frog
gy' came wooing-my precious little
bald one! Always long to tweak
that saucer of curling wavelet and
gaze upon the shininess below"
When Felice replied her tone was
insinuating
Monsieur is kind" said Felice, land
a widOwer and well-to-do."
you're right, Felice," she said; ITS
the only solution What joy to have
money in ones pocket-nice clothes
again upon ones back No bllls-nO
wOrries-no daily round of humiliation
nothing to do but sit on satin pill
low and gossip with good housewives
A grimace curled her lips. "Fellce,"
she continued, 81 surrender to your
wisdom. Tonight, we will settle ev-
erything."
The number called, her voice on the
phone was tender.
Monsieur? 1t Is I-Laurette. To
night. my friend, | am lonely You
must come and dine with your poor
Laurette. Mol No! Not at restaur
ant! Here at my home-I prefer 1t
A simple dinner, Monsieur, merely
sole prepared by Laurette-a salad
u bit of cheese. You will come? All.
I am glad AdieuP'
The receiver dropped to the hook.
49," said Laurette, at Is settledv
Her arm wept out in a swift i'm.
perlous gesture.
make haste, Fellce, prepare the
cage for my squirrel. Goals for the
crate. rose candles, table before the
fire spread with our Sunday linen, and
YOUR own brave sauce for the SOLE"
She tossed back he, head and
laughed.
The bell at the front door jlngled.
Laurette pinched out her cigarette and
retired to her dressing room. A mans
voice sounded in the hallway; muffled
parley followed and at length Felice
appeared.
'The agent for the rent, Madame
ha fc han 1c
young-so gallant! II Madame in her
ravishng robe were to speak to him
he might perchance, be lenient."
"Tell him I will come" said Laur
cite.
The agen, was charming, humble
and apologize. He regretted the ne
cesslty Of his call, but a trifllng mat
ter of six months rent had doubtless
escaped Madame's memory. Now that
It had been brought to her attention
would Madame be so kind
Standing In the pool of her velyei
train, I.aurette permitted her features
to grow wistful.
"Ah. Monsieur" she murmured Il
become indiscreet-I confide For n
yeaI | have had only trouble Daily
1 20 to the managers, daily they re.
fuse me work At las my money is
gone. A week ago all seemed hope.
less; but recently have had great
happiness. Now everything Is changed
Go back to the owner and tell him
the matter will be settled without de
lay. Tell him soon he may refer ev
erythIng toto n certain Monsieur
TOupee."
The agent was delighted Murlnur
ing fluctuations, he bowed and with
drew
The clock OH the mantle whlrred and
chirruped five. From the kitchen came
the clink Of pots and pms. as Felce
made preparations Laurette In her
boudoir was choosing II suitable gown
The door bell tlnkled Fellce retired
TO answer 1t. A moment later she re
turned II letter In her hand. Puzzled,
Iaurelie accepted the note, broke the
seal and read:
Madame FrOlssard:
II Is with deep regret find | must
decline your invitation Your message
my agent has delivered
Allow me to enclose the recelpted
bill for the rent OF your apartment,
OF which I have the honor TO be own
er and TO sign myself
Respectfully,
monsieur Toupee."