Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-03-23
THE BLACK SPOT.
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Captain laughed incredulously at first,
but it was hollow and forced laugh. 1t was
plain that he did not believe his own disbelief,
and he knew the good old Medico too well to
suspect him Of jesting on such a point. His
voice quivered little as he asked for an ex-
PLANTATION
''Well, if you tciH haveit said Dr. Rogers,
laying his hand on Geordies arm, ''tbere is
something wrong with your wife. Old Ching
noticed it first, and told me of it, and I have
seen it myself, and have seen such a thing
but twice before, and both times in China.
Pray Heaven that this may not end as it did
In those two instances :"
"Speak out, man, you torture me ~ said
Captain c., gasping for breath and very
pale.
at is a trifing matter, in appearance at
least, replied Dr. Rogers, gravely and kind
ly; "it is small black spot on your wife's
fsoe-on her left cheek-that is ALL and''-
"And what is it? For the sake of all that's
sacred, ishat is it?" asked G., quite fiercely.
The Doctor, noticing how quickly the group
was increasing, drew his friend few PAGES
back, and whispered something in his ear
The effect on Geordie was terrible The
brave, strong man trembled visibly, and shook
from head to foot, while his bronzed face be-
came Of an ashen paleness. Then, followed by
the doctor, who vainly tried to keep pace with
him, he hurried up to the place where his
wife was wheeling in the mazes of the waltz.
He strobe reeklessly in among the dancers; his
wild, haggard looks and brusque gestures
caused some confusion and surprise His wife
saw him and started, and with a word to her
partner stood still. How beautiful she looked
flushed and excited with the dance, crowned
with flowers, richly yet tastefully dressed;
how, too, her fair, fresh English bloom con-
trasted with the pallOr OF most of the other
pretty women present; how her softly bright
blue eyes rested with wonder on G. with
apprehension for hiDI, lest he should be ill.
Certainly, if one of those two were in mortal
danger, any observer would have selected the
husband as the one who bore the marks of it.
But Il was careless of that. All his soul
was in his gaze, as he beheld in the centre of
his wife's blooming cheek a small bLack SPOT
not much larger than the head of large black
pin, and quito circular. 1t did not disfigure
her; only keen eye could distinguish it, and,
when seen, 1t resembles one of those 90 beauty
patches" which the bellies of the last century
used to give an additional piquancy to their
charms. Yes, there it was, the black spot the
doctor bad described. By great effort G.
smoothed his features, and tried to smile as
he begged pardon of the company. He had
interrupted them very rudely, he said-they
had all left of dancing by this time-and he
begged they would so on, and not mind him
The musicians had ceased playing; he waved
his hand impatiently; they went on. His wife
approached him, her partner beside her. a
naval commander, who did not feel at all
the queen of the ball. "Was he ill ?n she
asked. in an anxious whisper. mo, no." he
was not i'll, but he wished she would come
awSy-come home with him directly. He
would give no reason. His manner was irrita-
BILE, harsh, unusual The young wife looked at
him with surprise; tears gathered in her blue
eyes; but she was not without spirit, and she
dashed them proudly away. She could not
leave yet, she said; she was engaged for sew
eral dances. If there was no reason to be
given for leaving so ObruPtly, she could not
be SO uncivil to her partners And in mo-
ment more the Commander whirled her off
d stood and bit his lips. She danced once
twice, thrice more. c. stood moodily
watching her, the doctor at his elbow 1t
was sad, agonizing, to poor G. to watch
that glorious creature, and to know that she
bore on her face the mark of-what! Even
the dsctor shrunk from telling c. all he
feared. Her momentary burst of hurt woman
ly pride was over; the sight of her husbands
anxious face disturbed her; her gaiety fed; the
compliments of her partners were unheard,
she begged to be excused; left the gentleman
on whose arm she leant and came up to G.
with sunny smile. ~ will be good now,
and come home"
The doctor whispered to G. to introduce
him. c. hurriedly complied. His wife
recognized the old gentleman who had stared
so pertinaciously at her; his eyes observed her
still. He whispered a word to the Captain
If she was aware that there was a small black
spot, mere speck, on her left cheek. She
blushed and laughed. Yes, she saw it in the
glass when dressing She could not rub it
away She thoughtit would go of itself 1t
had annoyed her a little, because IL looked 30
like one Of those absurd patches, but she hoped
nobody noticed ii.
Excuse me, madam" said Dr. Rogers; cit
may be of moro consequence than you are
aware OF. am an old doctor, and may be al
lowed to ask questions Does it give you any
pain? 90
"None-none at all''
The doctor looked graver still.
Inere Is lass nearly opposite. Please to
look, and see if it has not increased in size'
The lady, half frightened, complied. 'sYes,
1T has indeed-it is four times as large as 1t
was, almost as large as q pea-how tiresome.'
"One more question" said the doctor,
Have you any idea what brought 2''
None" answered Mrs. c.. "George,
love, I think would rather go.''
" Think again" pressed the doctor. "Has
any reptile-any insect?''
Yes, DR.. Rogers" answered the now fast
paling beauty; eyes, but no. that could not be
it, and was silly to think twice of so triAing
thing as the bite Of ay."
:" A fy' What sort of fy?" exclaimed the
doctor.
Zone of the black flies that were in the y.-
randall, tiresome buzEing thing; it stung me
very sharply just there, on the left cheek,
where the spot is. I thought nothing of ii
when the pain went of. 1t was long sort of
ny, with shining body and glistening green
ish wings
The Bal-Tse! the Black Jupiter Fly,
knew 1t. Ching knew il" said a hoarse grum.
bling voice close behind.
IL was the old eonprador, half horror struck,
half vain Of his sagacity! Hastily they drew
her from the room, wrapped her shawl around
her, and hurried her home. The music struck
eheerily up, the dance went on, supper sue
ceeded "a sumptuous affair, and then followed
more dances; but by degrees the mirth lam
guished, and a sort Of uncomfortable feeling of
apprehension and gloom pervaded the guests
Strange whispers, muttered hints went round;
the very Chinese servants had an ominous
look. By degrees almost everybody became
aware that some mischance had befsllen the
fair young Englishwoman whom they had Just
welcomed among them- None knew the exact
truth, but all had some inkling Of it. Then,
too, there was fellow-feeling, perhaps half
selfish, among those exiles in a sickly CLINE;