Judge — January 15, 1916 — page 7: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

4 —— WAY DOWN SUCH a fuss, monsicur, about—one kiss! OQ NE 9 O, such an agitation! Such commotion bh about a thing so light, so fecting as a kiss. In truth, TL comprehend there is diver- sity in kisses, and recognize with much respect the salutation of a friendship, and bow before that token of affection, the kiss of love. Why, then, to my shop of millinery should come this peace-dis- turber—this interruption to my after- noon of business, this thing which after all was but a kiss—in passing? Observe, my friend, the decorations of my salon. Review the, tlowers, the trailing foliage, and the bows of bridal tibbons. Today, we are ev féfe at the Emporium de Fran to receive Miss Stella Anderson, that wealthy girl so recently afiianced to my compatriot, the Count Armand Etienne de Choquet. In the shop, monsicur, we hear the rumors of the gorgeous trousseau planned for this Miss Anderson. ‘Then to me comes the good fortune of the order for the hats to complete her marriage outfit. This afternoon was set for this bride-to-be to inspeet her bonnets, and I make preparation for the honor of this event “Within the salon,” I say to those whom I employ, “there must be elegance. Let all retire, and the girl Babette alone attend me while I wait upon the betrothed of the Count de Choquet Miss Anderson arrived accompanied by the Count. She is a swarthy girl of no appearance and much adornment, The Count— a boulevardier, monsieur—so tall and thin, with pointed chin, and tapering fingers, and lazy, ardent eyes: he future bride is all elation for this occasion of significance. At once, we entered a compartment where a nged the costly hats for her inspection. In this room the walls are lined with mirrors side. The curtains there are well looped back to dis- ng vista of my salon. Outside this alcove I have sta- tioned the girl Babette to be in readiness for an emergency You see, monsicur, the fitting setting for a drama. The curtains well tied back, the mirrors large to reflect the happenings in the salon, and Babette outside to wait for an unforeseen occurrence Miss Anderson sits down before a mirror, and I begin to show the yond the alcove the Count Armand de Choquet tarries. and he is—bored. Reflected in the mirror as I display the hats, I see the lazy eyes of the Count de Choquet glancing to the ceiling in search of an attention in a place so bare of opportunities as a shop of millinery. His gaze floats to the chandelier, and comes down to roam around the salon. And, as he looks around he sees Babette. Behold! he is awake! He sees Babette—that creature of much beauty, with great brown eyes of tropic warmth, and rose-red cheeks, and olive skin. To sce Babette is to remember her. built on eve play a ple: hy MELEN Ay SOUTH Che drama which 1 now observe within the mirror is enacted swiftly. The Count— he takes one prowling step toward Babette. Whereupon Babette, with mocking glance, invites the Count de Choquet to destruction! Upon the features of the Count there comes the light of admira- tion, and of conquest. And on the ripe red lips of Babette there rests a pout of provoca- tien. L apprehend disaster, and glance down on Miss Ande: that she is also staring in the mirror with wide and horrified eyes. From thenceforth, my friend, Miss Anderson and I watch together and see this scene enacted. The Count de Choquet halts beside Babette, and puts his hands upon her shoulders. He looks deep into her lovely eyes, and speaks KIS S° SPAFFORD nN, Lo see NIGHTMARE OF A PEDESTRIAN comicbooks.com