Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-03-15

she was attempting to resume her usua
dlspasslonate expression; but she was
not successful, for she could not con-
ceal her anger. A disagreeablo dry
smile played around her mouth.
~ on deceived me-" she said, turn
ing to me with poorly affected calm
ness, but the tone of her voice betray-
cd an indescribable suppressed vehem-
encc. The words came from her lin 8
almost hissingly; and in her eyes Law IA
world of cold deliberate hatred. "The
rose was colored." she continued. why
did you make dupe of mep If any
one had noticed it L never could have
forgiven YOU"
She drew her hand languidIy acr oss
her forehead. and signilied her readin ess
TO dance. l had seen her mother, how
ever. in the mirror, who had taken her
seat on the opposite side of the bali
room. and had evidently noticed that
something was wrong, give j. warm
ing glance of approval. Eyo.no had
suddenly become mbearable 10 me.
more detestable and perverse than had
ever thought any woman could be. l was
permanently cured of my infatuation.
felt that could not stand to be with
her any longer, no. not another NOM
chl. could have walled with n snake
with quite rs much pleasure as with my
quondam model of perfection. | rea-
Ilzed that L had been in the power, the
very slave of heartless. feelinOless
coquette. L reused myself from the
Hood of painful sensations that had
como over me; but instead of Offering
my arm for the waltz | led her to her
mother and excused myself, leaving her
surrounded with eager applicants for
the dance.
A moment later stood alone out
slde OF the building, and breathed free
ly the fresh night air. 1t was very
quiet there; only a faint sound of mus G
reached me through tho thick walls.
The great arched canopy above was
Dedecked with stars. and they shone
out clearly over the snow cover
ed ground. A sublime tranquility
rested over everYth ing. | was i'm n
peculiar frame of mind. was free; it
seemed to me that | had thrown aside
lie OF uncertainty and doubt. and |
looked forward into future full of
hope You have lost Il year" said
to myself. "a year thrown away on IA
worthless fancy, and what did YOU see
IN her anyway You have allowed
yourself TO become fascinated with n
cold-hearted society ilirt, and almost
made Yourself miserable for life. Under
The carefully studied manner, the ap-
pearance OF an angelic disposition. and
the DeSwitching smile, Law the ugliest
nature ever born in woman. The
cOlOred rose is emblematic
OF the woman, and in the colorinc
alone. you have been in love all this
time. Blessed DO the accident that
opened my eyes to her imperfections.
Aud then, in my thoughts, | beheId
Marie as l last saw her when | BOUGHT
The roses. with her fresh blooming face. |
her black eyes. her cherry lips, her
pretty waving glossy black hair. Marie |
whose ewes BETRAYED not the slightest |
deception. Unaffected, truthful and as |
pure ana indebted as the flowers she |
lived among.
How was it possible that ! could ave
neglected such noble generous
glrl for that painted butterfly?
Then | longcd to see Marie as
had never longed to see anyone
before | knew that she was also
II ball that night. at the Flower club
had told me so. bashfullv rs
he dropped her eye-lashes on her losv
heeks that afternoon IN the flower
tore. Guided by an uncomfortable I'M
'uIse found myself going TO the street
n which stood the elegant building of
he Flower Association, and in n few
moments stood in the ball room. Marie
aw me at once. from where she sat
lone; she dropped her eyes for an in
tanL and then looked up to me rs I
pproached with such look of clad
nrprise, that | felt thrill of indie.
cribable happiness run over me.
But l stood before her unable TO
peak. L can't remember that | eve
'lt so much misgiving in my life Def ore.
III at once. the thought struck me like
blow, what if | could ever get her.
What if she should feel contempt for
" seeking tickle disposition. She I
'emed to be so far above me i'm every- /
ling. so noble. so good.
You here. Herr Crowsfeld. | :
fought you were with Fraulein'-she ,
ushed deeper and corrected herself; I
ut the Kasrno ball" ,
81 have been there, 1 said but left :
} look you up"
"Me?" she said almost in a whisper. 2
Eyes, you, Fraulein Marie, L have =
.en very much mistaken in my feel. a
Is all along" Then | told her all:
about my infatuation for Fraulein
unthen.
Yes. Marie" / said, II have been
alously endeavoring to grasp a paint @
flower, and passed the really fresh a
1T natural one unnoticed." q
NO not unnotced," l said, as she n
ddenly opened her eyes wider and
oked at me shyly almost panied. al "
oppressed all my incinations towards
H. to CRAFTY the foolish spell that "
" on me.
Marie looked me earnestly i'm the
es an instant, then she slyly took NV V,
nd, and pross ne il in her little, Il
rm, soft, palm, said, IL believe YOU f.
ID trust you; have been troubled n
'out You long time. L have known W
aulein Gunthen many years and | b.
lew she could not make you happy" m
len the orchestra began PLAYING n ii
lltz and the next moment Marie was m
IA a