Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-02-20
ONE HOUR OF JEALOUSY.

Yes, l was certain he would be
there, and I laid my plans according
Il. l knew the very style in which
he liked to see me dressed, and | had
not failed to call my powers into ac
ton to try and make myself fascina-
ting to him if l had ever been so
And | then wanted him to see that
scorned him; that / could do with
oat his love as easily as he could
without mine; but all the while my
heart was painting for a reconcilia-
ton, and | loved him better than
should ever love any one again.
1t was growing late; nearly all the
guests had arrived; the brilliantly
lighted rooms we're echolng to the
chime of many voices. and yet he
had not come, for could tell his step
among thousand. l felt a sudden
sinking of my heart, u darkness
gathering there which made me
shudder; bnt 1t was followed almost
imm edlately by an entire revulsion of
feeling. l had never felt so lively
or brilliant before. | was talking
gaily with merry group that sur,
rounded me when nay heart gave a
sndden bound, for ! heard his voice;
and, looking into the next room.
saw him making his way through the
crowd to where we stood. He came
up, and simply saying good evening
tv hini, i Utrutrrtt on more livery Jnan
before. | could see that he was
grieved, but he was too proud to let
others know it, and turning, made
some casual observation to a lady
near HIM just as | took the arm of a
gentleman and left the room for &
waltz As I passed him he raised
his eyes into mine and gave me such
q look! l shall remember that as
long as l remember anything; but /
only raised my head higher, curled
my lips more scornfully, and with
out single flush Of feeling rising to
my face, swept on past him and out
of the room.
l only saw him once afterward
that evening. and then he stood half
concea.ed b,hind marble pillar in
the ball which happened to he pass
ing with one whom / knew it would
almost madden him to see me with,
if he had ever loved me, for they
had been rivals for long time. As
we came near he stepped out before
us, and, before l had time TO think,
he spoke:
'Miss Leicester, excuse nae for in
terrupting you, but as sail for India
to morrow morningI 1 took the liberty
Of stopping you to say good bye
Good bye"
His hand touched mine; he shook
that of my companion, and he was
gone. l thought l should die. "Ex-
cuse him for interrupting mel" Me,
who would have given all l possessed
and d thousand times more to have
gone down on my bended knees and
begged his forgiveness. I had been
more than mad, or 1 should have new
er trifed with his holy love. And |
why had done it? just for tri
ling story which I had heard con.
;erning him, but which my reason
old me was nothing less than q base
lie.
plead indisposition and went
lome. My brain was wild; / could /
lot, would not believe I had heard
lin Alright; and yet I knew better.
But could blame no one but myself,
md all my regrets came too late,
las! too late! A long deathly sick
Tess followed. Every one thought
would die. But death does not
ONE when most we wish for it, and
did not to me. No, though l
hould have been too glad to have
losed my eyes in an unwaking sleep.
awoke to life-to bitter, hopeless
ife.
Night, starless and moonless night
he winds were dashing the angry
raves mountains high against our
essers side, which rocked back and
orth before them as if unable to
ope with so powerful an adversary.
10 one dared TO sleep. Children
ast anxious, fearful faces up into
hose of their parents with the words
-"Shall we drown2'' coming through |
leir blanched lips. Wives, with
allid brows, leaned upon their hus
and's arms and stood silently-al- {
lost sternly, awaiting their fate {
athers and mothers, sisters and s
wives and husbands, all
ere there. twas no time to shrek /.
,r mercy There was none save {
lch as the angry tempest winds
nd mad leaping waves could give. s
| was alene. Life was burden
ill; and although l had started for /,
mother land, hoping there to find
hat was denied me at home, I should /,
OF have gone down unwilling and /
ada NV hed bonoafh tho ocoau,a 4