Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-04-28

the seaside, and returning to his home and
his duties His health was thoroughly re-
established; and althougha man OF wealth
and position, he had too much intellect to
waste his time in life of elegant leisure.
lie was q barrister. and longed to be back
again among his books and papers. But
still lie did not 60
The holiday OF the two. friends was also
drawing to q close; and, indeed, II became
necessary for one or other to return to town
at once; and it was finally decided that
Miss Clarendon should SO first, to attend
to the gathering together of the school,
while Miss Montgomery remained to pack
up and superintend the removal Of certain
articles from their summer retreat.
In the meantime Mabels efforts to pro-
mote the love affair of her friend, and rem
der herself Indifferent on the subject OF
Victor Lansing, had resulted disastrously
for the whole party. Julia, confident that
she had won Victor, gave up her whole
heart and soul to the enhancing occupation
of idolizing him; Victor, no longer in doubt
MS to the state of his feelings, knew that he
adored Miss Clarendon; while poor Mabel,
from herconstant schemes to avoid Lansing,
and throw him into Julia's society," con-
tracted such habit of thinking of him that
at last she could do nothing else, and dis
covered with dismay that she was hopeless
", irretrievably in love with him herself
But Mabel was capable of heroic self
sacrifice; and she hailed with delight the
urgent business which called her to Lon
don and her duties. The friends parted
tenderly, promising each other the pleasure
of meeting again in O few days. and Julia
blessed the absence of Mabel; 'for now, u
she thought ''yictor must speak"
And Victor did speak, but in totally
unlooked-for manner.
On the day following Mabel's departure
he called on Julia; and his hurried and alb
sent manner betrayed the agitation of his
feelings. He carried o travelling bag in his
hand, and announced that he was on his
way to catch the first train for town. Could
he execute any commands for Miss Mont
gomery2
mo" Julia thanked him, 'nothing;" and
her voice was scarcely audible
"Could she favor him with Miss Claren-
don's address?" Victor asked and Julia
gave it with dreadful sinking of the heart
and then, as in dream she heard great
many cordial expressions Of friendly regard,
a kind "good-by, and she was alone, ,
She sat quite STILL for long time, just
where he left her; she neither moved nor
spoke; she scarcely breathed, till at last o
long sigh escaped her lips, and she NUT
tered, drearily 81 thought ] would die il
it ever came to this; but Heaven help me
l live, and am likely to live. Oh why am
l SO young and 30 strong that cannot
cannot dieY'
But this state of feeling passed away and,
instead of the despair which at first almost
benumbed the sense of pain she felt, a
burning jealousy took possession Of her, an
unsuitable desire. 10 be with her rival to
watch the conduct of the man she loved,
and to place some eternal barrier between
both. As soon done rs thought. On the
following day, Julia was in the school.room
again, and talking over with Mabel the ar
rival of new scholars and the loss of old
ones, while her heart beat wildly at the
sound of every step that approached the
door.
She had not long to wait Toward even
ing Victor Lansing called; and except n few
commonplace remarks to Julia, which stung
her more than utter neglect would have
done, he devoted himself entirely to Mabel.
Julia's heart was on fire. In that Cne
evening the friendship of years crumbled
away in an hour beneath the devouring
jealousy that racked her inmost soul. Her
whole nature seemed changed; and while
she watched every look and movement OF
the lovers with calm, unruffled face, III
her heart she cursed and hated both, and
tortured her brain with schemes to accom-
plish their misery and overthrow.
IL would be tedious to dwell upon this
painful time. Day by day Victor became
more deeply attached to Mabel; and day
by day the fiend within Miss Montgomery
bosom became more unmanageble, although
she still maintained an outward semblance
of unlhO1len serenity But Mabel noted
the wild light in her great dark eyes, grown
80 large and weird-looking, and tremlled
at the thought of standing toward her in
the light of rival. So well did Julia COM
mand her feelings that AIabel's fears were
lulled, and she even doubted, at times,
whether her friend had ever loved Victor
at all, and so allowed herself more and
more to become absorbed in her own love
for him.
One night, after Victor Lansing had gone,
Mabel went softly TO Julias room, and seat
ed herself on low ottoman ut her feet,
while she endeavored TO calm her tluttering
heart sufficiently to make the ayowal that
had brought her there. The hick0nng fire
cast n ruddy glow through the room, max.
ing of the two beautiful women, who sat
half in shade and half touched by its bright
light, n picture which Rembrant would
have loved TO paint,
'Julia," said Mabel, at last, 81 have
something TO tell You"
Julia's great dark eyes flashed like living
Goals. Already she knew what was com
ing; but she only placed her cold ant
trembling hand Lightly on the shining coili
Of Mabels hair. The unsuspecting CIR
shuddered Mt that touch, without knowing
why; and after moments hesitation, wen
on hurriedly "You have seen, perhaps
Julia, that Victor loves me. We are en-
gagged in few days / shall be his wife !!
A teTribleBOund, that was neitheru groan
n cry nor an artificial word, burst from
Julia Montgomery. She wreathed he
hand in the long black hair of her compan
ion, and dragging her backward, quick as
lightning inflicted a deadly blow upon hel
| Nulle DObon VIII bOlnS lOuB, SHARP hull'
that had lain on the table beside her A
piercing shrek broke from the wounded
girl; and, struggling from the grasp of he
companion, she tried to rush from the room
but fell insensible across the threshold
Cries Of mad, demoniac laughter burst from
the lips of Julia Montgomery, and whei
Barbette and the assistant servant rusheC
into the room a ghastly and appalling sigh
met their view.
In confused heap in one corner, will
hair disheveled, livid face, and glitterinI
eyes Julia Montgomery sat grinning, an,
ever and anon emitting fearful cries,
hopeless, incurable madwoman Thei
screams soon brought help, and the mania
was with difficulty secured, and born
shrieking from the room.
The unfortunate Mabel Clarendon was q
first, thought to be dead; but her timel,
swoon had saved her life The wound
though deep and dangerous, was not fatal
! and her falling inscnsible had prevente
much loss Of blood. But weeks Of patien
watching went by before she was pronour
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