The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-02-27
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THE JEALOUS WIFE.
a WALLAcHLAN LEGEND.

Nearly three centuries ago an ex-
tensive portion of that part of the
country which lies on the Wallachian
banks of the Danube belonged ia
Demetri c.; a powerful Boyard, de-
scended from one of the Greek princes
who had been driven from CONSTANT.
nople at the fall of the Lower Empire.
He was wealthy, generous, and nagni-
flcent, the father of a promising son.
lwho at the period to whichthis history
relates was eighteen years old) and the
husband of the most beautiful woman
in the county. Helena c. was
looked upon as the happiest 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
personal perfec,ions. had 1t not unfor-
tunately happened that. amidst the
countless roses with which her path in
life had been strewed. one sharp thorn
had lufked and pierced her TO the heart,
rendering her, in the intoieTable an
gulsh 1t occasioned, regardless of the
many other blessings that had been
showered upon her In a word. she
was of suspicious and jealous DISPOSE
ton, passioaately attached 10 her hus-
band, and to all appearance adored by
him. She, nevertheless, lived in con-
slant dlstrust of him, which his char
acter and manners were too we'll calcu-
lated to justify, for his general admlra-
ton OF beauty was d matter of noto-
riety. And although from a knowl-
edge of his wife's disposition. be ha
taken such precautlon in his infideli-
ties towards her, that she had never vet
been able TO detect him in love in
trigue, she nevertheless felt so per-
suaded that he was constantly involved
IN such pursuits. that she became
prey to vague jealousy, which emblt.
tered every hour of her existence.
At last her suspicious appeared TO
have found an object on which to set
tie. Among her female attendants
was young and pretty Transylvanian,
named Anastaiia, whose superior edu.
cation had rendered her favorite with
her lady. All at once the damsel be-
came neglectful of her duties, absent
IN mind and inattentive to the wishes
of her mistress; when reprimanded by
her, she betrayed insolence and hau-
teur. Helena threatened to dismiss her
from her service. The prince opposed
such measure; and in proportion as
the displeasure of his wife was evinced
towards the delinquent, the voice and
manner of her husband softened in her
favor.
This was more than sufficient to fire
the suspicious of the princess. Eager
TO ascertain the reality of that which |
she dreaded, aud resolved to rush upon
knowledge that would break her heart.
she forgot her dignity so as to play the |
eaves-dropper and spy over her a;ten-
dant--for some time without any result. I
One day, however, when the Young /
girl had been sent for by her and had |
neglected to attend the summons, He- /
lena treacherously crept np a back
way to her menial's chamber OF room
door, and noiselessly statiening herselft
outside of i, listened to what was pass
ing within. A murinur of voices in
the room convinced her that AuasfafIa
was not alone. and almost Immediately
that of the suspected dausel broke
upon hsrear Id accents the purport of
which coaId not be mistaken
Leave me- she said, for Heavens
sake leave me If my mistress werels
% know OF yonr being here, should
be lest forever Already she suspects
and watches me, and i've iii daily
terror o1 her discovering love which
would draw upon me her eternal en-.
nifty 20, prince-go, Demetril This