The Black Rose

If any one had said a year ago that I would ever havo run througu tho dr.ving Biiovv and storm, aftera black rose, 1 certainly would have deolared that person to be bereft of ordinary inttilligenoe; but now I conld very appropriately nsk myself, if I were in the full possession of my mental powers; for only a few days sinco, I went rII over the city anxiously endoavoriig to purchase one, regardless of cost - becaiise Eveline had expressed a desire to have one. She deprived me of my judgment, with her bewitching smile, her moaning glances, her great, (leep eyes, the graceful poise of her icad. and her beautiful, majestic shoulders. She entrapped me in a net, woven from a thousand fase nating, insnai'ing. threads, in which she draw me whither slie would; and on that occasion she drew me after the black rose. 1 do uot know exactly how it carne iiliiMit. I havp ahvay.s been such a qniet, thouglilful man, and falling in love was thu last thing I would have thought of doing; but at tho fateful ball, exactly oue year ago, when I UW her in that yellow satin bodice, with her gokleu hair, the dark, prettily arched eyebrows, and her fairy-liko movement; from that hour I was not like my foriucr selt She was pretty, but not positivcly beautiful; one could also not read any great depth of feeliug or diameter in her deep gray ees; she was bright and versatile, but had no especial talent, and her convorsational powers were only ordinary. I knew thttt her tamiiy were la very moderate circumstances, and therefore believed that she would not object to niarr.y some young man of fortune. 1 knew that she knew 1 waa in good circumstauce.s, and feit that if I won lier, thatmy fortune would have aiuch to do wilh it; and yet I followed her like - , yes, like a faithful little dog, and could not tear myself from the magie chaina she threw around me. She seemed to enjoy e very possible luxury; how slie m&naged lodoso, I could never uuderstaud, for her ex(ravaganoe would al most bankrupt a man. She did not troublo herself about houseliold atl'airs; and I strongly suspected that her mother had to exert every energy to keep up the appoaranoe of case and comfort before the outsiile worlil, and tliat slie worked secretly to contnvo that her daughter might ilress elegant and becom ngly. 1 did not know whetlier she really loved me or not; sometimos I hoped so, from her actions, but was never sure of it; I was, therefore. continuallv trouljled with the uncertainty, so that if a Single day passed without my seeing her and exchanging a few wonls with her, I was absolutely m'serable. This state of affairs lasted for a wholo year. I could not make up my niind to gve her up. and was, also, not willing, exactly, to lake any deoided step which woulil bind me for l.fe to the enchantress. Sho ntlended ball afler ball, went to all fashionablo places of amusoment, and each time she succeeded in makingher toilut moro recherche than any ono elso. For the coming ball she fancio I that slie wanted a black rose to wear in her golden hair; that would be novel, would attract attention, adniiration and wonder, and would excite the envy of somo. But were thei'e auy black roses in existence? I asked myself, wheu I thouglit of gratifying her wish; I had read of such a rare flower be ng on exhibition at flower expos tions, but had nover scen one; and all of my acquaintances wbom I asked about it said tlioy did not think they oould be gotten. üue of them said that he hiul seen a rose so darkly red that it was almost black; but that was severul jrears ago. AL all events it seemed that they were very rare; and how was I to obtain oue in winter timo? I went to at least ten flowor stores, six gardenerg, and evc.rvwhere that 1 tliouglit I had a ghost of a cliauce to get it, but in vain. Marie, the daughter of tlio flowor dealer at Kinfj's place- my pretty little friend whom I liad known from her childhood - said slie luid had. once, two roses ulmost black, vh cli hIio had sold to Graf. Egousfeld, and which liail caused a senmilion at the court ball and was afterwards mentioned in tho roport of the ball on account of their great rarity and beauty. Marie was a charming girl - voung, blooming, pretty. modest and loved by everybody, and was said to be rich, for her father - whose only child she was, had tho ruost extensivo and prosperous business of the k;nd, supported by tho most distinguished and wealtliy class. Marie regard el nio with an interust, which she tried in vain to oonceal. Her fac6 would turn pale and thon wonld cover with blushes when I would enter the store suddenlv, and sometimos when sho spoke to me her voico wouli tremble. And I could see her pretty delicate littlo hand quiver when slu deliverfid the flowers to me, which oftentimcs purchased more to get a chance to feast my eyes on her prettv face and lo engage her in a few word of conversation than because I reall; wanted tho flowers. Eveline seenied to enjoy being witli me. She was quick and brilliant in reparte. She would somotinies press my hand warmly when slio would thank me for some gift tbat I brought her, and ïuy hopes would climb to f e ver heat In consequence. Bat then she seerued ho cold and indifferent towards mo, when sh knew I loved her. I found uiysel wondering hoW Marie would act if were to tako her hand and teil her loved her. Hor 1 Ule trembling, soft white hand would lay in mine and he face But what was I th'mkin about? At Eastgate thei'e was anotln: gardener. It was nlrendy twelve o'clock and Eveline must have the black rose I callud for a cab, but there wer none to be had, and it was snowing raming and freezing. I must walk I could not se nd anyone, for I mus pet them in peñón. In vain, in vaii Aftor niy long walk I was doomed t disiippo uiuiiMit again. The flowe dealer did not have them. It wa already two o'clock. What could 1 poailbfy do? How I would like to gratlfy her w sh and see her smile of pleasurel Could they be madeP No; imjiosslbic. But stop. Could the natural rosos not be colorad P She would only want them for ono ovouing. So, wilh bríglitenlng Iiojkm t luiiitoned arain to Uinir's placo. "Marte, a coopta of dark reil rosos. picase." í said, entering the store. "l'liey are for Fraulein Guntlier," she faltered: and n hor oyes I noticed a pained and sorrowfu! expression that went strangely to rav lioart. "Yes, for tho Easino ball to-night," I replied, hastily. "l'he darkest you lave, please." I look tlie flowera. bul soniehow tho al, ]rotty faoe, and llie sad expresliou, affected me deeply. I raotioned 0 a cab and drove boma. "Why ani I chemist," I said to uiyself, triumphntljr, ".í I can't overeóme such a illioult as this?" I locked myself in íylittle laboratory, which I hadhardly ntored since my infatuation with Evono, and worked abont two honra on ne of the roses w th iron, povvdered rimstone, and charcoal dost I almost molhered myself by nhnling tho dust nd odor of tho ingrodients; but rintnph! tho roso becatue black - deep elvet black. I wated antil almost lime to go after Sveline. and then preparad tho other ose. with greater suecess than bofore. or it was moro beautifully and perfecty tban Ibe first I got a oarriaffa and drove to Evone's home. "Üid you get it?"she said n great suspenso and oxcitement. runing to meet me. I nodded, and held ut the package to her. Sho throw hor rms arouud me and kissod mo. pressd both my hands and looked me in the yes - sho kyew well how to show her ppreciat:on; she admirad tho rose, lor eyes buanied willi delight. and her hoeks colored boautifully. For an intant I was almost joalous, for it did seem liko she apprec ated tho roso moro tlian she did me, and I cotild not reïernberthat she liad eyer bhisued with delight at seeing me; but she was so respectful towards me, and this time almost afïectionato, I was more infatuated with her thau ever. We went to the ball. of conree, with her rnothor as chaperon. I hail provided a commodious carriage. Her mother and I sat with our backs to the horses giving Eveline all of the back seatso as not to runiple the elegant party costume she wore. She oroated a furore- she was always the quoen of the ball-room, but on this occasion moto so than ever. Her old gold bo'lice was boautifully embroidered with Hounce. and the roso nestling among hor goldun tresses, attracted the attent ion of everyone. I did not myself escapo boing montioned ns it was known that I procured the slrange flowor that miiny had never seen before. With what qoeenly graoe she carried lierself! Sho was at home in the ball room; was groatly admirad and sought after by every onltivated gontleman. with her Dlcasant smile to this one, her bow to tliat one, lier pretty rounded arms, her queonly head, in sitting, standing, waltzing or dancing, she was a model of poifection. She was constantlv the center of an adniiring group of old and young. and was besioged by daooers. Every one who met hor was favorab y impressed with her. But of all her frienda and admrers Slie soemed to appreciate me the most. 1 decided to know my fate tiiat very niglit I feit that mv happiness depended on mr boing ablo to cali that irresistible essenoe f womanly loveliness, my wife. The tirst dance was ondod;the signal frora tho coronot in tho orchestra announced the noxt dance. I approached her to Secare tho vvaltz she had promised me when - oh, horrors! what did 1 see! The rose had completelv cliaiigftd color; no longersh Ding black, but faded yellowish green, spotted with rusly edges to tlie leaves. It must have boen causo I by tho preparation in the hair, the nitrogen, the beated atmosphere or the gas. What if Eveliue sliould not ice it and discover the cheat? What would sho do? What would she think of me? For a moment 1 was oxcited and astonished that I could hardly control my voico to ppeak to her. 1 did not have niuch tune for speculation. Largo plate glasi mirrorn with uarrow gilt frames covered the walls of tho salmi. She glanced in the mirror opposite where we stood, ready for the waltz, with her arm resting quietly in mine. Suddenly she dfow her arm awar and approached the glass. I could soo her face in tho mirror, very distinctly. She turned very pale; her cyes became fixod with astonishtnent and chigrin; she trembled from head to foot. With a 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 aslightning had ground it 'nto povvder beneath her feet. Her figuro becamo suddonly angular, hnr shoulders liigli and pointed, and her taco had the expression of Furie. I had never in my life seen such a revengeful, uglv, and malignant face - it rovealed to me a cold heartless woman of tho world, whosö only aim in life was to gratify hor measureless vanity and coquetrv. How was it possil)le for a human being to chango so completelv in an instant - she was absoltitelv hideous. All tho feais that I liad entertainád that I might not win ler, we re roñe; I was struck wilh aninzement :it tbo tl'soovery t had made. 'J'hen 1 saw that slio was nttempting to resume her usual dispassionato expression; but sho was not successful, for s'.ie could not conceal her anger. A disagreeablo dry smilo ))layed around her nioutli. "You deceived me," sho said, turning lo iuo with a poorly affocted calmness, but the toae of her voico botrayed an indesoribable suppressod veheruenco. Tho words eame froru her lips almost hissinglv; and in hor oyes lay a world of cold delibérate hatred, "i'he rose was colored," alie continued, why diil yon make a dupe of me? If any one had noticed U I uever could have forgiveu you." She drew her hand langnidly across her forehead, and slgnifled her roadiness to dance. I had seen her mother, however, in tho minor, who had taken her teat on the opposite side of the bah room, and had evidently noticed that gomotblog waa wrong, g:ve her awarninj; glance of approval. Evelino had stiddenly buconie unboarable to me, moro detestable and perverso than I had ovorthought any womau coulil be. 1 was pornianonlly cured of my infatuation. 1 feit that ( could not stand to be with her any longer. no, not anotlier moment. I could havo waltzcd with a snake with quito as inucli pleaeure as with my qtiondam model of períoOtiOQ. I realized that I had been in the power, tho very slave of a heartless, ft'elingless coquette. I roiised myself from the flood of painful sensations that liai come over me; but instond of offering inv arm lor the waltz I loil her to her motlier and exoused myself, leaving he Ritrroundcd with eager applicants fo the dance. A moment later I stood alone out side of the building, and broathod free ly tliu fresh n glit air. It was ven quiet thero; only a faint sound of raus ie reached me throtigh the thiele walls. The great aruhod canopv above was beli3cked with stars, ami they shone out clearly over tlio snow covoreil groutid. A sublimo tranquilit rested over evervth ng. 1 was in peculiar fnime of mtnd I was froe; ii seenied to me that I had thrown aside a life of uncertamtv aiul doubt, and I looked forward into a future full of hopo. "You havo lost a yoar," I aid to mysiilf, "a year thrown away on a worthless fancy, and what did you seo In her anywny? You havo allowed yoursolf to becoine fascinated with a cold-hearted socioty flirt, and nlraost made yoursolf miserable for lifo. UnJer th carefully studied mauncr, tho appearanoa of au angelio dispositlon, and ha bcstritciilng smilo, lav tlie nglioil n:itiira ever boni iu a woman. 'i'he heiuically colored rose is emhleinatio oí tho woman, and in the ooloring; lone, yon liavo boen in love uil thia mo." Bleesed be tlie accident that opiüied my ejes to her imperfeolions. A mi then, in my thouglits, I behelil larie as I last saw her wlien I bought he roses, with her fresh blooming face. . íor black eyea, her oherry lipa, hor ! rotty waving glossy black iiair. Mario vhose eyes betraved not the sllgbtest loception. Unaffuctoil, truthful and a9 uro and undolilod as tho flowers sho ved among. How was it possible tliat I coukl have neglected such a noldo generoni í írirí for that paiated buUer-fly? ?hen I longed to seo Mario as had never longed to soe anyone ] efore. I knew that she was also i at a ball that night, at the Flowor club ' all - she hatl told me so. bashfally as be droppeil her oye-lashes on her iosy i cheeks tliat nftcrnoon in the flower i tore. Guided by an (incontrolable mulso I íound niyself going to the street n which stood the olesrant building of ,ho Flower Assoc'ation, and in a few noments stood in the ball room. Mario aw rao at onco, frora whera sho sat ilone; she droppod hor ovos for an inlant. and then lookud up to iuü as I approached w.th such a look of glad urprise, that I fclt a tbrill of indecri bable happlness run over mo. But I stood beforo her unable to poak. t can't rérnembor that 1 gver elt so niuoli misgiviiüí in my lite bemre. All at once, tho thought struck me Itke a blow, what if I ooújd'érer get her. What if she should fuel a contompt foimy seekinp; íickle d sposition. Sho soomed to be so far abovo me in everyhing, so noble, so good. "Yon here, Herr Crovvsfelil. I .hought you were with Franlein" - she blushed deopor and corrocted borself; i 'at the Kasino ball." "I have been there," I said, but left 0 look yon up." "Me?" she said alniost in a whisper. "Yes, you, Fraulein Murie, 1 híivu jcpn very much mistaken ni my feelngs all along." Then 1 told hor all; all about my infatuution for Frauloin ! jriinthen. "Yes, Marie," I said, "I have been zealouslv endeavorins to graap a paloted flower, and paased tho really frusli md natural ono annotioed." 'No, not unnoticed, " I said, as ghe auddenly oponed her oyes wider and ooked at mo shyly alniost paiuod. "I suppressod all my inclinatioot towards you. to gratify the foolish spoll that was on me. ' ' Marie looked me earnestly in the yos an instant, then she slyly look my j land, and press ng it in her little, warm, soft, palm, said, "I bidieve you ! and trust you; I have been troubled j vbout you a long timo. I have known ' fraulein G-untheu many yean and I cnew she could not make you happy." i Then the orchestra bogan plaving a i waltz and tho next momunt Mario whs ni my arrtis. It was the happiest wahz of my lifo. Tovvards mkfnight Huir Bebre, Marie's father, in an excellent lumor froin the etfeots of the Champagne, which the oíd gentleman mrticipated in, In an adjoining room, 3ame to look aftor Marie. He seemed surprised to find hor witli me. "What will Fraulein (iiinthen say to this, my boy," he said, shaking his fliiíjer knowingly at me." "Do yon know what a black rose is, Herr BehroP" I said in answer. "Pah! foolishness! there are no naturallv black roses. Colored liuniaugs," he said warinly. "Well," I whispcred in liis e:ir, "that is Frauleili ] junthon, I havo never seen Marie in I ier true Hght beforo. I want her Herr líohro, and sho 19 willing to take me. j We have known cach othor a long ,ime, will you consent to t?" He ookod at me sharply for a moment; thon glancing at Marie's happy fac said: "If Marie w'sIip.s it. We fathers must alwiivs accede to our daughter's wishes. You will lind my answer in Marie's face, take her and God bless you both." So 1 won my wife and life's happiness.