THE WITCHERY OF NINA

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1928, Page 7

THE WITCHERY OF NINA

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\;<)t too tall, about 28 years of age. a, tight litting black but from under winch peeped golden curls, exquisitely modelled features with a fascinating dimple in each cheek, a very smart brown tailor-made costume and shoes to match, and in her elegantly gloved hand a chic gold-mounted sac-a-main. Such was the vision that stepped from model saloon ear which pulled iqi outside a woman’s outfitters in Brussels. Tile vision was escorted into the shop by a well dressed, middle-aged young man with four prominent gold teeth, who went away on other business. Aline, de Oourtrai she said she was, known to her friends as Nina. She was occupying Room .815 in the smartest hotel of (lie city, and she wanted to see some pullovers. All she bought was, however, a reel of cotton.

Next afternoon she came back, this time alone. “My husband, a retired general. is coming to fetch me with the ear.” she told the outfitter. Once again the pullovers were spread on tho coun tor. Other articles were demanded, and when the bill was totalled Nina owed £lO. “Send the goods to tho hotel,.” she commanded with a bewitching smile. “But T wonder what is keeping my husband?” she queried, with an arch of her wonderful eyebrows. “I* in so hungry. Do go and buy me sonic cakes.” Nina begged so prettily that flic poor man could not but olvey, and just as he was leaving the door In walked another customer. The cakes wore consumed, and once more the shop was clear. Once again she succeeded in fascinating the man out of his shop—this time for something to drink: but at the psychological moment yet a further customer entered.

SIX HOCKS STAY

For six solid hours Nina stayed there, hoping to in? left alone with all those wonderful things to wear, but never for a minute was her wish realised. Finally she feared her husband must have met with an accident, and really she would have to go. It was a nuisance because that evening they were to go to an important reception and her husband had promised to buy her a new fur coat to go in. Could the out-filt'-r recommend a lurrier? He could nnd “this.” lie informed Nina, producing his own wife’s fur coat, "is the

class of goods he sells and it cost merely £20.” “Lovely,” said the vision. “M by, it just fits me,” as she slipped it on. .She managed to borrow it, together with a silk scarf, for the evening. Since then she has not been seen. She is unknown at the hotel, which, into the bargain, has no room numbered 183.

Although she. was the prettiest woman lie has ever seen the outfitter considers six hours of her company dear at the loss of a fur coat and a silk scarf and a sound rating Irom his wife.