The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-01-12

seat so as not to rumple the elegant party
costume she wore. She created furore
she was always the queen of the ball
room-but on this occasion more
so than ever. Her old gold bodice was
beautifully embroidered with founces,
and the black rose nesting among her
golden tresses, attracted the attention of
every one. did not myself escape being
mentioned, as it was known that I had
procured the strange flower that many
had never seen before. With what queen
ly grace she carried herself She was at
homo in the ball room; was greatly adj
mired and sought after by every culti-
waited gentleman. With her pleasant smile
to this one, her bow to that one, herpretty
rounded arms, her queenly head, in sit
ting, standing, waltzing or dancing, she
was a model Of perfection. She was con-
stant1y the center Of an admiring group Of
old and young, and was beseiged by dane
ers. Every one who met her was favorably
impressed with her. Butof all her friends
and admirers she seemed to appreciate me
the most decided to know my fate that
very night. felt that my happiness de-
pended on my being able to call that ire
slstible essence of womanly loveliness my
wife.
The first dance was ended; the signal
from the cornet in the orchestra an
nounced the next dance. I approached
her to secure the waltz she had promised
me, when-oh, horrorl what did l see!
The rose had completely changed color;
no longer shining black, but faded yellow
ish green, spotted withrusty edges to the
leaves. 1t must have been caused by the
preparation in the hair, the nitrogen, the
heated atmosphere or the gas. What if
Eveline should noticeit and discover the
cheat? What would she do3 What would
she think Of me? For moment was 80
excited and astonished that could hardly
control my voice to speak to her. I did
not have much time for speculation.
Large plate glass mirrors with narrow gilt
frames covered the walls Of the salon.
She glanced in the mirror opposite where
we stood, ready for the waltz, with her
arm resting quietlyfin mine. Suddenly
she drew her arm away and approached
the glass. could sec her face in the mir
ror distinctly. Sheturned very pale; her
ewes became fixed With establishment and
chacrin; she tremhled from head to foot.
with O. powerful and angry movement,
that I had never thought possible for her
delicate white hand, she tore the rose
from her hair and as quick as lightning
had ground it into powder beneath her
feet. Her figure became suddenly angu-
lar, her shoulders high and pointed, and
her face had the expression of fury.
Il had never inmy life seen such re-
vengeful, ugly and malignant FACET re-
vealed to me cold, heartless woman Of
the world, whose only aim in life was to
crafty her measureless vanity and CO.
ouetry. How was it possible for human
being to changeiso completely in IN in
stant-she was absolutely hideous. AL
the fears thatiI had entertained that
might not win her, were gone; I was
struck with a1nazement ut the discovery
I had made. Then I saw that she was at
tempting to resume her usual dispassion-
ate expression;sbut she was unsuccessful,
for she could not conceal all her anger. A
disagreeable, dry smile played around her
mouth.
"You deceiwd me,n she said, turning
to me with poorly affected calmness, but
the tone OF her voice betrayed IN indie
scribable suppressed vehemence. The
words came frm her lips almost Kissing
ly; and in he1eyes lay world of cold, de-
Gberate hatred. "The rose was colored,"
she continued; nwhy did you make a dupe
Of me? If any one had noticed it I
could neYeiS have forgiven you"
She drew hg hand languidly across
her forehead, and signifled her readi-
ness to dance I had seen her mother,
however, in tie mirror, who had taken q
seat on the opposite side of the ballroom,
and had evidently noticed that something
was wrong, give her warning glance of
reproval. EHline had suddenly become
unbearable to me, more detestable and
perverse than I had ever thought any
woman could be. I was permanently
cured of my tinfatuation. I felt that
could not stand to be with her any longer;
no, not another moment. I could have
waltzed witha snake with quite as much
pleasure as With any quondam model OF
perfection. Irealized that I had been in
the mower, the very slave, of u heartless,
fcelingless soquette. I aroused myself
from the floai of painful sensations that
had come over me; but instead of offering
nv arm for,the waltz I led her to her
mother andscxcused myself, leaving her
surroundcdwith eager applicants for the
daEcc.
A moment later I stood alone outside
Of lie Lrillin. and brcathed freely the
fresh ilightGir. 1t was very quiet there
only faint sound Of the music reached
me through the thick walls. The great
arched canopy above was bedecked with
stars, andihey shone out clearly over the
snow covered ground. A sublime tran
quillity rested over everything. I was in
q peculiar tralne of mind. 1 was free; it
seemed to ne that had thrown aside q
life of uncertainty and doubt, and looked
forward into future full of hope. "You
have losth year," said to myself, "a
year thrown away on worthless fancy,
and whatlid you see in her anyway? You
have allowed yourself to become fasci-
mated with cold blooded society flirt, and
almost m ide yourself miserable for life.
Under The carefully studied manner, the
appearance of an angelic disposition, and
the bewtching smile, lay the ugliest
nature sYer born in woman. The
chemically colored rose is emblematic of
the woman, and in the coloring alone, you
have been in lore all this time.' Blessed
be the iccident that opened my eyes to
her impEfections.
And then in my thoughts Ibeheld Marie
as I lastsaw her when bought the roses,
with her fresh, blooming face, her black
eyes, hfr cherry lips, her pretty waving,
glossy black hair. Marie, whose eyes be-
trayedno the slightest deception. Un-
affected truthful and as pure and unde-
fled asthc flowers she lived among.
Howwas it possible that could have
neglected. such noble, generous girl for
that painted butterfly? Then I longed to
see Marie as I had never longed to see
any one before. knew that she was also
at ball that night, at the Flower club
ball--.she had told me so, bashfully, as
she dropped her eyelashes on her rosy
cheeks that afternoon in the flower store.
Guided by an uncomfortable impulse,
found myself going to the street in which
stood the elegant building of the Flower
association, and in a few moments stood
In the ball ROOM Marie saw me at once
from where she sat alone. She dropped
hereyes for nm instant, and then looked
upto me us approached with such look
Of glad surprise that I felt thril OF in
deeribable happiness run over me.
But stood before her unable to speak.
I can't remember that I ever felt SO much
migving in my life before. All at once
the thought struck me like q blow, what
i'll could not get her? What if she should
feela contempt for my seeming tickle dis
nnsikion2 Che see1nnd 10 he so far ahoYa