Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-02-06
Tho Jealous Wife.
A WALLAcHIAH LEGEND.

A WALLACHlAE LEGEND.
Nearly three centuries ago, an extern
sive portion of that part of the country
which lies on the Wallachian banks of
the Danube, belonged to Dcmetri c.,
Q powerful Boyard, descended from enc
of the Greek princes who had been dri-
ven from Constantinuple at the fall of the
Lower Empire. He vas wealthy, gene
rous and magnificent, the father of pro-
missing son, (who at the period to which
this history relates was eighteen years
od,) and the husband Of the most beau.
tiful women in the country. Helen c
<- was looked upon as the happ!est
and most envious of her sex; and she
might have justified the general belief, for
nature had endowed her with mental
powers no less remarkable than her per-
sonal perfections, had it not unfortunately
happened that, amidst the countless roses
with which her path in life had been
strown, one sharp thorn had lurked and
pierced her to the heart, rendering her, in
the intolerable anguish it occasioned, re.
gardless of the many other blessings that
had been ehowered upon her. In word,
she was Of suspicious and jealous dis.
position; passionately attached to her
husband, and to all appearance adorcd by
him. She, nevertheless, lived in constant
distrust of him, which his character and
manners were too well calculated to JUS
tify, for his general admiration of beauty
was matter of notoricty. And although
from knowledge of his wife's disposi.
ton, ho had taken such precaution in his
in6delities towards her; that she had never
ret been able to detect him in love in
trigue, she nevertheless felt so persuaded
that he was constantly involved in such
pursuits that she become prey to vague
jealousy, which embittcred every hour Of
her existence.
At last her suspicious appeared to have
found an object on which to Settle
Among her female attendants was young
and pretty T'ransylvanhn, named .Anasta-
tia, whose superior education had render
cd her favorite with her lady. All at
once the damsel became neglectful of her
duties, absent in mind, and inattcntive to
the wishes Of her mistress; when repri-
manded by her, she betrayed insolcncc and
hauteur. Helen threatened to dismiss her
from her service. The prince opposed
such measure and in proportion as the
displeasurc of his wife was evinccd to.
wards the delinquent, the voice and man
ner Of her husband softcncd in her favor.
This was more than sufficient to fire the
suspicious of the princess. Eager to as
certain the reality of that which she dread
ed, and resolved to rush upon knowledge
that would break her heart, she forgot her
dignity so as to play the eavcs-dropper
and spy over her attendant-tor some
time without any result. One day, how
ever, when the young girl had been sent
for by her. and had neglected to attend
the summons, Helen treachcrously y crept
up back way to her menial's chamber
or room door. and noisclcssl y stationing
herself outside of it, listened to what was
passing within. A murmur of voices in
the room convinced her that Anastatia
was not alone, and almost Immediately
that of the suspected damscl broke upon
her ear in accents the purport Of which
could not be mistaken.
"Leaye me-" she said, "for heavens
sake, leave me! If my mistress were to
know of your being here, l should be lost
forever! Already she suspects and watch.