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

snow and storm after DlacK rose, L GER
tainly would have declared that person to
be bereit of ordinary intelligence; but
now could very appropriately ask myself
If I were in full possession of my mental
powers, for only q few days since l Went
all over the city anxiously endeayoring to
purchase one, regardless of cost-because
Eyeline had expressed desire to have
one. She deprived me of my judgment,
with her bewitching smile, her meaning
glances, her great deep eyes, the graceful
poise of her head, and her beautiful,
majestic shoulders. She entrapped me in
net woven from thousand fascinating,
insnaring threads, in which she drew me
whittier She would, and on that occasion
she drew me after the black rose.
I do not know exactly how it came
about. have always been such quiet,
thoughtful man, and falling in love was
the last thing would have thought of
doing; but at the fateful ball, exactly one
wear ago, when saw her in that yellow
satin bodice, with her golden hair. the
dark prettily arched eyebrows, and her
fairy like movement; from that hour
was not like my former self. She was
pretty, but not positively beautiful; one
could also not read any great depth OF
feeling or character in her deep gray eyes;
she was bright and versatile, but had no
especial talent, and her conversational
powers were only ordinary. l knew that
her family were in very moderate circum-
stances, and therefore believed that she
would not object to marry some young
man Of fortune. knew that she knew
was in good circumstances, and felt that
tun11IH hQvQ
much to do with it; and yet followed
her ike-yes, like faithful little dog,
and could not tear myself from the magic
chains shethrew around me. She seemed
to enjoy eve.y possible luxury; how she
managed to do so, could never under
stand, for her extravaganza would almost
bankrupt wealthy man. She did not
trouble herself about household affairs;
and 1 strongly suspected that her mother
had to exert every energy to keep up the
appearance of ease and comfort before the
outside world, and that she worked Sc
cretly to contriye that her daughter might
dress elegantly and becomingly.
do not know whether she really loved
me or not; sometimes hoped so from her
actions, but was never sure of it. I was,
therefore, continually troubled with the
uncertainty, 80 that if a single day passed
without my seeing her and exchanging q
few words with her was absolutely mis-
erable. This state Of affairs lasted for q
whole year. I could not make up my
mind to give her up, and was, also, not
willing exactly to take any decided step
which would bind me for life to the en-
chantress. She attended ball after ball,
went to all fashionable places Of amuse-
ment, and each time she succeeded in
making her toilet more recherche than any
one else. For the coming ball she fancied
that she wanted black rose to wear in
her golden hair; that would be novel,
would attract attention, admiration and
wonder. and would excite the envy Of
some.
But were there any black roses in exist
enceP asked myself when thought OF
gratifying her wish. I had read of such
o rare flower being on exhibition at flower
expositions, but had never seen one, and
ali of my acquaintance whom I asked
about it said they did not think they
could be gotten. One of them said that
he had seen rose SO darkly red that it
WIS almost black; but that was several
wears ago. AT all events, it seemed that
they were very rare; and how was to
obtain one in winter time? I went to at
least ten flower stores, six gardeners and
everywhere that I thought l had ghost
Of chance to get 1t, but in vain.
Marie, the daughter of the flower dealer
ut Kings place, my pretty little friend
whom I had known from her childhood,
said she had, once, two roses almost
black, which sho had sold to Graf Egous-
field, and which had caused sensation at
the court ball, and was afterward men-
toned in the report Of the ball on account
Of their great rarity and beauty.
Marie was charming girl; young,
blooming, pretty, modest and loved by
everybody and was said to be rich, for
her father, whose only child she was, had
the most extensive and prosperous bust
ness of the kind, supported by the most
distinguished and wealthy class. Marie
regarded me with: an interest which she
tried in vain to conceal. Her face would
turn pale and then would cover With
blushes when would enter the store sud
denly; and sometimes when she spoke to
me her voice would tremblc. And could
see her pretty, delicate little hand quiver
when she delivered the flowers to me,
which oftentimes purchased more to get
a chance to feast my eyes on her pretty
face and to engage her in few words OF
conversation than because I really wanted
the flowers.
Eveline seemed to enjoy being with me.
She was quick and brilliant in repartee.
She would sometimes press my hand
warmly when she would thank me for
some gift that + brought her, and my
hopes would climb to fever heat in con-
sequence But then she seemed so cold
and Indifferent toward me, when she
knew loved her I found myself Won
| dering how Marie would act II were TO
take her hand and tell her loved her.
Her little trembling, soft white hand
would lay in mine end her face But
what was thinking about? At Eastgate
there was another gardener. 1t was al
ready 10 o'clock, and at Evcline must
have the black rose.
called for cab, but there were none
to be had, and it was showing, raining
and freezing. I must walk. could not
send any one, for must get them in per-
| son. In vain, in vain. After my long
walk was dooincl to disappointment
again. The flower dealer did not liavo
them. It was already2 o'clock. What
could possibly do3 How would like to
| crafty her wish and see her smile Of
| pleasure! Could they be made? No; i'm
possible But stop. Could the natural
roses not be colored? She would only
want them for one evening. So, with
frightening hopes fastened again to
Kings place.
'sMarie, couple of dark red roses,
please" said, entering the store.
''They are for Fraulein Gunthert," she
faltered; and in her eyes noticed panied
and sorrowful expression that went
strangely to my heart.
ayes, for the Kasino ball tonight" I
replied, hastily. "rhc darkest you have,
please.n
took the flowers, but somehow the
pale, pretty face and the sad expression
affected me deeply. I motioned to a cab
and drove home. "Why am chem
ist," said to myself, triumphantly, ''if
can't overcome such a difficulty rs this!"t
I locked myself in my little laboratory,
which 1 had hardly entered since my in
fatuation with Eyeline, and worked about
two hours on one of the roses with iron,}
powdered birthstone and charcoal dust.
almost smothered myself by inhaling the
dust and odor of the ingredients; but trl.
umphl the rose became black-deep velvet
black ~
waited until almost time to go after
Eyeline, and then prepared the other rose,