Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-06-24
SELECTED STORY
WHAT CAME OF MY JEALOUSY

1t was misty. yet sweet, September
night. | can see the sky as it hung over
our cottage home, starry blue, with here
and there a patch Of white, foatiug gossa.
mer and the harvest moon coming up ano
flooding all the world with splendor. I re-
member how the crimson roses hung abov,
the door way, heavy with their own sweet
| ness and what sugge~ tive odors foated
up from the flower beds in the dim, old
garden can even remember the Iress
wore, plre VIII te, because that wac the
dress in which my husband loved me best
Did he love M at all ? Or was it my vel
low gold that won him ?
Immediately after our marriage we went
to Europe, where we rambled about for ;
year or two, wintering in Rome, and spend
ing our summers in the ps The n we re-
turned home. But the nomadic spirit was
still upon us, and we took what our owl
country afforded in the way Of gypsy life =
In tn midst of this wandering, IN little
country town amid the lakes, my first
trouble came, On the second day of oul
sojourn at this place, to which we had come
in accordance with my husbands wish,
missed him He was fishing for trout, one
of our party suggested and in the after
noon we strolled down toward the stream
Passing small cottage, we heard voices
and something familiar made me glance
that way. There they stood, side by side
my husband and a womarl-a young wo
man, with glossy, raven hair 1 passed or
in silence but that night, when my hus
band returned and sought me was re
served and cold I refused to dance, anc
would not sing for him. He followed me
from place to place, his eyes full Of grave
solicitude. The instant we were in oul
room, h. caught my hand is his.
"My darling" he said, "what trouble:
you 2"
For my life could not tell him. I wa,
afraid to let him know that I doubted hi
integrity.
Horace" questiond, iilnidly, edo yor
love me ?" III
His fine eyes opened wide. with astonish
ment. But he answered passionately.
Glove you? Ay, better than you vii
ever know, Violet"
"Did you-have you ever loved any on'
else ~ l faltered.
''Never, Violet, on my honor
was happy, yet not entirely satisfied.
was woman. Eve ate the forbidden frui
with Paradise all around her.
Then who was it," faltered, "that wo
mani saw you with-this afternoon.
Ho started, and flushed very red for {
moment, then he laughed
ooh !'' he said, ''jealous, are you? Their
I am sure you love me. But, seriously
dear, ought to have apologized for ny
long absence. That woman was friend
and old friend of mine-she's in distress
and had to bel p her Are you satisfied 2
nodded my head in assent, yet my hear
was not quite at rest. After that we wen
down to our little sea home, and settled in
to sober, married life ,; and for months GU
bliss was perfect aud then that dreadful
night came
Horace had been gone all day. He die
not come home to dinner. as was his Gus
tom so, after having ordered tea, L dressed
myself, and sat down on the rose-shadet
porch to await him. Sunset. dusk, even
ing the moon soaring up above the sea =
Still he did rot come Dinner and suppe
had both spoiled the flowers in my hal
were fading, and I was sick and weary will
waiting and suspense. Horace had neve,
remained away SO long since our marriage
What could detain him so Very slowly tn
night went by Twelve o'clock came, tn
moon dropped out of sight, leaving me il
darkness An owl booted from the top o
the old willow, and the surf beat with
weary, sobbing sound.
I worked myself into perfect tremor o
alarm and nervous excitement, and by dc
grees the old doubt, Or fear, Or whateve
it was, stole back to my mind. My hus
band was cruel to keep me in such sus
pense He did not love me 1t never oc
Cured to me that he might be detained
against his will. When, at last, the clocl
was on thestroke of three, caught the quicl
tramp of his horses feet. But it did no
greatly relieve me. Ifeltangry. and.instead o
cunning down to meet him, as my woman
nature prompted me, I yielded to my petted
hayward, will, and kept my seat He die
not stop to take down the bars, but cieareo
them with a leap. When he reached the
porch, he sprung down, flushed and eager
"Violet," he cried the moment he caugh
sight of me, care you up yet! L am 81
sorry"
He approached, both hands extended
But I turned from him, and walked to the
other end Of the porch.
He stood for moment in silent astonlsh-
ment, then followed, and took my hand
though ] kept my face persistently averted.
"Violet," lie said, what is it 7" Are you
i'll, tired was so sorry to keep you wait
ing, but circumstance"
"Never mind the circumstances now y
exclaimed, pettishly. Il am very tired.
| ard nn1u tn Of l1,,o1u Won are safe. l VIII go