Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/217

Rh knew these circumstances as well as I did, and had determined not to say anything till they would see how long they would run.

There now came a countess to the city. I will tell you how I came to know her, but not the particulars just yet. I saw her in Washington City, when she first came from Europe, while I was there with Minnie; I did not see her again for several years, till I met her in Cincinnati, when she came direct to my house. I do not know how she found my number or house, but she did find them out, and left a note for me to go to the Spencer House and comb her.

I did not then know who she was, nor did I wish to go so far to comb anyhow, and I did not go. Then three messages came after me to go and comb the great countess. It seemed that the proprietor and all in the house were ready to run at her command, on account of her being such a great lady.

On my way going down I stopped in the store of one of our most fashionable milliners, who showed me a bonnet she was making for the great countess at the Spencer House, and told me of the very expensive lace she had ordered for it. I told her I was on my way to comb the same lady as she had sent for me ever so often.

On my arrival at the Spencer House, being shown to her room, I at once recognized her as the lady I seen in Washington City. It was with great difficulty I suppressed my surprise. When I saw her in Washington City she was accompanied by her husband, who had recently returned from Europe. She received a great deal of attention in Washington on her husband's account. She went on home every once and