Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-03-09

she was attempting to resume her usual
diSpasslonate express ON; but she was
not successful, for she could not on
zeal her anger. A disagreeablo dry
smile played around her mouth.
you decc vel me- she said, turn
ing to mo with "A poorly affected calm
ness, but he tone of her va ce betray-
eel an nd~escribable suppressed vehem-
encc. The words came from her lips
almost hisSingly; and IN her eyes lay II
world of cold deliberate hatred. "Ihe
rose was colored.' she continued. why
did you make n dupe of meP Ii any
one had noticed it | never could have
forgiven you"
She drew her hand languidly acr oss
her forehead. and signjlied her rcadin ess
to dance. | 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, We %, warn
ing glance of approval. Eycline had
suddenly become unbearable TO me,
more detestable and perverse than | had
aver thought n wOuaa could be. | was
permanently cured of my i%nfatuation.
| felt that | could not stand to be with
her any longer, no, not another NOM
ent. | could have waltzed with n snake
with quite as much pleasure a. with my
quondam model of perfection. | rea-
Lied that had been in the power, the
very slave of II heartless. feelingless
cOquette. | reused myself from the
Hood of painful sensations that had
come over me; but instead of Offering
my arm for the waltz | led her 10 her
mother and excused myself. leaving her
surrounded with eager applicants for
the dance.
A moment later | stood alone out
side OF the building, aud breathed free
ly the fresh n ght air. II was verv
quiet there; only - FAINT sound of mus C
reached me through the thick walls.
The great archcd canopy above was
bedecked with stars, and they ,hone
ont clearly over the snow over
ed ground. A sublime tranquility
rested over ever tn NJ. | was il "A
peculiar frame of mind. | was free; it
seemed to me that | had thrown aside
"A life OF uncerta ntr and doubt, and |
looked forward into "a future full Of
hope. You have lost a year | said
TO myself, 80 year thrown away on "a
worthless fancy. and what did YOU see
in her anyway? You have allowed
yourself TO become fascinated with a
cold-hearted society firt, and almost
made Yourself miserable for lifo. Under
the carefully studied manner. the APP
p%carance OF an angelic di-pOS ton. aud
the brsw tchIug ~m lc. Law the ugliest
nature ever born in a woman. The
chemically colorel rose j. emblematic
of the woman. and in the coloring
alone, You have been in love all this
time" Blessed be the accident that
opened my eyes To her intersections.
And then, in my thoughts, | bcheld
Marie - | last saw her when | bought
the roses, W th her fresh blooming face.
her black eyes, her cherry lips. her
pretty waving glossy black hair. Marie
whose eyes betrar ed not the slightest
dec ption. Unaffected. truthful and As
pure and undeiiioi rs tho flowers she
lived among.
How was it poss bic that | could have
neglected such n noble generous
erl for that painted butterfly?
Then | longci to SEQ Marie as
| had never longed to see anyone
before. | knew that she was also
AT a ball that night, at the Flower club
ball-she hal told me so. bashfully rs
she dropped her ere-lashes IN her losy
checks that afternoon in the flower
store. Guided By an uncomfortable M
pulse | found myself going to the street
i'm which stood the elegant building of
the Flower Assoc alton. rnd in a few
moments stood in the ball room. Marie
saw me at once. from where she sat
alone; she dropped her eyes for an in
slant, and then looked up to me rs |
approached TN such a look Of glad
surprise, that | felt q thrill of indie
scribable happiness run over me.
But | stood before her unable to
speak. | cant remember that | eve T
felt so much misgiying ia my life bef ore.
All at once. the thought struck me like
a blow. what + | could ever get her.
What if she should feel a contempt for
my seeking tickle d sposition. She
seemed to be- 80 far above me in every
thing. so noble, SO good.
You here. Herr Crowsfeld. |
thought YOU were with Fraulein''-she
5lushed deeper and corrected herself;
''at the ktS no ball
81 have been there, . | said. but left
TO look YOU up.
''Me?' she said almost in n whisper.
Yes. YOU Fraulein Marie, | have
been verg much mistaken IN my feel.
ing, all along Then | told her all;
ali about my infatuation for Fraulein
Gunthen.
Yes. Marie ! said, II have been
zealou.ly e%ndeavoring to grasp a paint
ed flower, and passed the really fresh
and natural one unnOtccd.
NO. not uunot ced. | said. Is she
suddenly opened her eyes wider and
looked At me sh, V almost panied. IL
suppressed all my nclinations towards
YOU. to CRAFTY the foolish spell that
was on me.
Mar e looked me earnestly i'm the
eyes an instant then she slyly took my
baud, and press NJ it in her little,
warm, soft, palm, SAID, 81 believe you
aud rust YOU; | have been troubled
about YOU n long time. | have known
Frauleia Gunthen many years and |
knew she could not make YOU happy"
Then the orchestra began PLAYING n
waltz and tla upNf mpmout Maria yag