Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-04-09

tue same auefllngs. 10 excite the pflue O
her husband, sha sent paper cOntalng an aC
count OF the last fete in which her name shon
most conspicuous of all the bright stars in tina
| galaxy Of beauty.
i Charles received this letter in his counting
house, worr out with heat and overworlS, am
its contents were anything but gratifying t.
/ him. He had dismissed one of his clerks II
lessen expenses, and was performing the extra
T labor himself. He had not ever found time t.
leave town Tor day, but had worked earl
and late and with renewed diligence, to maxi
l9up for the usual demands of his purse. Th
twenty pounds were sent, accompanied by
gentle remonstrance, and u deep anxiety les
she should be iniuring her health by this eX
cess of dissipation in pleasure. He limited a
the time Of her return, and proposed to go TO
her whenever she would appoint the day of he
E.departure.
Clara had no desire to leave place wher
5she was winning such golden honors. 1t wa
hsiot sy-=Asssess, thing to be seaside belle, an
moro wealthy and fashionable ladies' thai
herself A fortnight passed on and th'
gay belle found no time to send message t
her husband, even to assure him of her healtl
and safety.
Poor Charles he was now reaping small
part Of the retribution that was following upon
the heels of his misguided love. He had him
-self helped To make his wife what she really
was. lie had never uttered u word of kindly
repreof, hut every breath had helped to swell
the tide Of hattery, that for years had been
bearing the poor victim out into the sea OF
SeItlshness and irivolity. But he did not see
this quite plainly yet. A still deeper expert
ence was needed to open his eyes to his own
part in the wrong. Clara was not wholly to
blame. She lived as she had been taught to
live, only on excitement and admiration.
Among the many admirers Of the seaside
belle was an Italian count, who had lost all but
his title and ancestral blood through some I'M
looked for change in his native country, and
came to this country resolve to prop himself
up by hoisting the flag OF his royal descent,
and hoped, by keeping this fact before tho
eye, of the public, to sail into high places of
favor. lie was accomplished and prepOssess-
ing in appearance, and like most OF his coun-
trymen, excelled in music. With these OK
+ernal advantages, he made himself very at
tractive to Clara. In fine, he was the favored
attendant.
The fortnight ut the seaside extended to the
whole summer. 1t was not possible for Clara
to tear herself away from the enchanting round
Of pleasure. She became seltishly unmindful
of the trouble she was bringing upon her faith
!nl husband, and thought only Of herself and
her new friends. She was not aware Of the
dangerous ground on which she trod, as her
fairy feet few through the excited dance. She
had never stood on this giddy pinnacle before
and knew not how slight mis-step would
plunge her from the dizzy height. She was
borne on by the great whirlpool of fashion far
out into deep, dangerous places but she was
as ignorant as a child OF her danger.
Count Lenarto was fAttered and gratiiied
by his power over the beautiful woman. His
ambition was first excited to become the VIC
tOridus champion, and in pampering to this
passion, he aroused more subtle teelingsin his
nature. He became greatly enamored, and
With the impetuOusnness Of his national char
icter, gave evidence of his love by the most
Iptiring devotion. Clara was blinded by her
swn lie OF excitement, and did not under
'ssfsi ur-tcftesS TIC import ut-7ss'''''' -
tentlOns.
While these events wcro transpiring at the
seaside, Ch'rles had ample time and oppOrtn-
nty for reflection. At first he was quiet and
more for the love he bore his wife,
md from u natural desire to crafty all her
wishes, than from any weakness Of character.
As tho weeks passed by, he grew restless
IND miserable, and at length, out OF his deep
experience, his resolution was formed. lie
Jaw the danger to which he was exposed, as
10 other person could, and he resolved to save
Ter from the sorrow that might fall upon her
head.
After mature reflection Charles took upon
y
ecurty, and made his way to the seaside
lere he would mingle with the crowd, and
watch his treasure from distance, and yet be
ear TO ward oil danger il any should approach.
lis Jealous love colored with the brightest
inge every little act of homage rendered to
lis fair and beautiful wife; ii seemed to him the
,reatest insult. He knew better than Clara
he real character that lay beneath the pleas
ng exterior of her many admirers.
Nm Tborlnu r1n1n hut littln pilnrf |
o gain acquainlances. His purpose would be
,etter accomplished by retired seclusion. He
cared Clara might recognize him, SHOULD he
&c brought into her immediate presence. he |
TODD aiar off, listening to the remarks OF the
,ystanders, and endeavorel to learn from the |
popular current OF conversation, the esteem in
which she was held. He had never before
cen her in such u blaze Of beauty, and was
,ewildercd by the splendOr of her appearance.
lad ho not felt painful interest in her, he
would hardly have been able to suppress his
ceilings OF admiration.
Charles was good man, ana ne believed in
iis heart that Clara was true to him, although |
ne knew full well the weakness of her charac-
er, that required, and even exacted, constant
homage from others. But now he saw, aS he |
never before did his own part in the fault
IL danger fell upon her, he was partly respOn-
sible. What had he ever offered her but this |
same dOatng, blind deyOtiOnl Never had he
opened to her his mind with its wealth Of
and practical experience and taught
her to prize it above tlattery. For the first
time in his life he saw his mistake, and with
bis generous nature resolved to atone for it,
Ills quick, jealous eye soon fell upon Count
Lenarto, and unnOticed, he watched his path
every hour when il was possible to gain access
10 him. lie heard, us il by some supernatural
power, the tender word Of parting, and the
delicate batteries addressed to Clara on the
balcony, after the dance had ceased. He fol-
lowed her like guardian angel, and never for
a moment lost sight of the great purpose that
inspired him.
Charles fancied he had often noticed q
strange look oil Clara's beautiful face, at times,
when she had been engaged in conversation
With Count LenartO. 1t expressed a vague
ear, a slight toreboding Of distrust, and
breaking up of confidence. 1t indicated the
)Ower to which she was fast becoming subject
ID, and her ability to rise above and conquer
{. He saw at times the bright smile instantly |
disappear, and II look of hall-reproach steal
over her face, as ifsome word had been spoken |
which she had no right to hear.
One evening, party were strolling together
towards the beach. 1t was moonlight eve
ming, and nothing could surpass the beauty OF
he sea, with the soft light falling upon the wa
ter, and the white sails of little slIitis resting
upon the waves. AT a distance, one solitary
wanderer paced up and down the beach, or
occasionally seated himself by the rocks.
The gay party went down to the very edge of
the water. For some time the conversation
was general, but the beauty. of the night tempt
ed them in different directions, and in smaller
groups the company separated and lotered
away inquiet siroils.
Clara and Count Lenarto were left alone,
standing on the sand by the shore. For a few
moments there was a silence between them,
Clara being impressed with the beauty of the
moonlight sparkling upon the smooth sea, and
her companion equally absorbed in his own
Then taking her arm, the
Count led Clara to secluded seat under a
shelving rock.
Charles followed the steps OF his companions,