Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-04-03
THE LOST PERFUME

Near Trouville, in the south OF
France. are endless fields Of flowers
that bloom and flourish but for q
single day. They grow to yield their
fragrance to the perfume distillersi
who haunt this region.
The vine-clad house Of Henri Conda
was situated In the midst OF lovely
garden bordering the flower fields
Poplar trees sheltered 1t from the int
tense heat, and fountain dubbed and
sparkled among the flower beds, now
and then casting misty spray over
the thirsty plants. e...F
The unrivaled distiller Of perfumes
dwelt with his young daughter Eliza
beth in this pleasant environment. and
they were very happy. Each day found
Monsieur Condo busily engaged In his
laboratory at the foot Of the rose gar
den, striving to obtain q wonderful
blending Of essences to produce some
exquisite perfume. His fame had all
ready spread over the earth, and the
perfumes made In the Condo distillery
were favored by the courts Of Europe!
On this particular morning in June
the maker of perfumes perused the
contents Of a note which came from
the Empress Josephine. This para.
graph. particularly, he re.read several
times: II desire, my dear Monsieur
Condo, perfume possessing a spicy
odor, free from musk and altar of
roses, something delicate, yet char
acteristic enough to linger with all
who ever breathe 1t into their nos,
trils."
He smiled and gazed through the
window toward the flower fields, where
the women were filing their huge bas.
kets with the full-blown flowers. So
enraptured was he by the scene that
the entrance of his daughter Elizabeth
was unnoticed. Her beauty in its fragile
delicacy rivaled that Of the flowers.
Always simply attired in white, she
made many an artist long to transfer
her charms to canvas. E',
Finally Monsieur Condo, being sub.
consciously aware Of her presence
turned and pleasantly greeted her!
Daughter, we have new commits.
sion from the empress. She desires q
perfume such as we have been trying
to perfect for years-a delicate aroma
combining the scents Of flowers with
the witchery of eastern perfumes. Youl
my Elizabeth, possess the ability to
mix the essence, knowing intuitively
what varieties and proportions blend
best to produce delicate odor
know the secret OF extracting the
scents. but to you l shall intrust the
mixing The empress must have .
perfume 80 exquisite that she will
never use another. and the formula
uill be preserved for her descendants
Alone" ..
After many attempts Elizabeth OBJ
tanned the desired result by combining
the scents from 100 flowers.
my daughter" said Henri Conde
never has there been such pen
fume. 1t is perfect. Do not commit
the formula to paper, for none must
know it. You remember perfectly TIN
proportions combined?"
Perfectly. have thought Of moth
ing else for days." They carefully
packed the bottle of perfume and sent
the gardener personally to deliver II
to the empress.
He brought back letter stating how
pleased she was with the scent and
requesting them to send 50 more bot
ties Immediately. Monsieur Condo
kissed his fair daughter. "See, my
Elizabeth, we are famous at last. To
morrow we will begin the empress
perfume" But on the morrow Eliza
beth was unable to leave her room
Monsieur Condo had not noticed how
extremely pale she had grown during
the year, nor how slowly she moved
about among the flowers. When .
| week passed and she was still to-
weak to rise, the father said: Child
we dare not keep the empress wait
ing. Tell me the formula and viii
combine the essence"
She repeated accurately two-thirdf
of the proportions, then suddenly, {
| oil duSC CAPA CooAOA SVSACPA OeAA hSA AS>S
lures and her memory was blank. In
vain the distracted father strove t.
win her recognition. Eminent physt
clans we're consulted to no avail. Hel
reason was destroyed. At the sight OF
flowers a sweet smile would spread
across her features, then quickly fade
away.
One morning royal messenger ar
rived bearing small packet contain
ing a string Of pearls for Elizabeth.
This was gift of appreciation from
the empress Josephine. Monsieur
Condo quietly entered the room and
leaned over the sleeping form, intend
ing to clasp the pearls about he, neck,
He saw that her face was as waxen
as the white roses in her arms Eliza
| beth slept and there would be no awake
ening.-Jean Douglas in the New York
| Press.
Famous American Soldier. s
One hundred years ago March 10
W.T. Ao11 Cooff woo promotod r. the