Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-05-06
What Came of my Jealousy.

It was q misty, yet sweet, September
night. / can see the sky as it hung over
our cottage home, starry blue, with here
and there patch of white, floating gos-
samer; and the harvest-moon coming up
and flooding all the world with golden
splepdor. l remember how the crimson
roses hung above the door r-way, heavy with
their own sweetness; and what suggestive
odors hoated up from the flower beds in
the dim. old garden. / can even remem-
Der the dress L wore, pure white, because
that was the dress IN which my husband
loved me best. Did he love me at all p
Or was it my yellow gold that won him ?
Immediately after our marriage we went
to Europe, where We rambled about for q
| year or two, wintering in Rome, and
spending our summers amid the Alps
| Then we returned home. But the nomadic
spirit was still upon us, and we took what
our country afforded In the way of gipsy
| life. In the midst of this wandering, in a
little country town amid the lakes, my first
| trouble came On the second day of my
| sojourn 1T tE1s place, to which We had
come in accordance with my husband g
wish, missed him. He was fishing for
| trout. one Of our party suggested and in
| the afternoon we strolled down toward the
| stream. Passing small cottage, we heard
| voices, and something familiar made me
glance that way. There stood, side by
| side, my husband and q woman-a young
woman, with glossy, raven hair 1 passed
on in silence but that night, when my
husband returned and sought me, was
reserved and cold. [ refused to dance.
and would not sing for him. He followed
me from place to place, bis eyes full of
grave soicitude. The instant we were in
our own room, he caught ray hand in his.
my darling" he said, "what troubles
you?"
For my life l could not tell him, was
afraid to let him know that doubted his
il tegrity.
Horace" l questioned, timidly, "do
you love me ?"
His fire eyes opened wide with aston
ishment. But he answered passionateIy:
''Love yon Ay, better than you will
ever know, Violet
''Did you-ha7e you ever loved any one
else?" faltered.
"Never, Violet, on my honor"
was happy, yet not entirely satisfied.
[ was a woman. Eve ate the forbidden
fruit, with Paradise all around her.
''Then who was it," l faltered, 'that
wonaE-I saw you with-this afternoon?"
He started, and flushed very red for
mement; then he laughed.
"Oh," he said, 'jealous are you ? Then
I am sure you love me. But seriously,
dear, [ ought to have apolOgized for my
long absence. That woman was friend,
an old friend of minc-Rhe's in distress,
and had to help her. care you salts
fed ?"
I nodded my head in assent, yet
my heart was not quite at rest. After that
we went down to our little sea home, and
settled into sober married life; and for
months our bliss WAS perfect; and then
that dreadful night came.
Horace had been gone oil day. lie did
not come home TO dinner, as was his Gus
tom; 80, after having ordered tea, [ dressed
myself, and sat down on the rose-shaded
porch to await him. Sunset, dusk, even
ing : the moon soaring up above the sea
Still he did not come. Dinner and supper
had both spoiled the flowers in my hair
were fading, and [ was sick and weary
with waiting and suspense. Horace mad
never remained away SO long since our
Very slowly the night went by. Twelve
O'Clock came, the moon dropped out of
sight, leaving me ia darkness, An owl
hooted from the top of the old willow, and
the surf beat with heavy, )bbing sound.
I worked myself up into perfect trem-
or of alarm and nervous excitement, and
by degrees the old doubt, or fear, or what
ever it was, stole back to my mind. My
husband was cruel to keep me in such sus-
CURED to me that be might be detained
against his will. When, at last, the clock
was on the stroke Of three, l caught the
quick tramp of his horses feet. Bnt it did
not greatly relieve me. [ felt angry, and
instead OF running down to meet him, as
my wOman's nature prompted ne, yield
ed to my petted, wayward will, and kept
my seat He did not stop to take down
the bars, but cleared them with q leap
NInIO Ia njC1 L1,a 1.n
down, flushed and eager.
"Violet, ue cried, the momtut he caught
sight of me, " are you up yet? ? l am SO
sorry"
He approached, both hands extended. :
But turned from him, and walked to the
other end of the porch.
He stood for moment IN silent aston
ishment, then followed. and took my hand,
though kept my face persistently avert
ed.
"Violet," he said, "what is it? Are you
i'll, tired L was SO sorry to keep you
waiting, but circuLnstance5-"
"Never mind the circumstances now -
[ exclaimed, pe.tishly. " L am very tired
and now that I know you are safe, I will
90 to bed"
He loosened his hold on my hand, but
looked after me as left him, with glance
/ shall never forget. [ can see him now, as
he StOOI III Inc ElOODIISnG, 80 uanUSOWD
and noble and loved him SO we'll 1
wonder why I turned from him that night.
God knows how it panied me. But the
spoiled, wilful temper, that has been my
ruin, urged me on.
Did you ever speak harsh word to one
you love, and feel some thing within you
prompting you TO speak another? Then
You understand how it was that left my
husband standing there. weary and sup
peerless.
"Violet, dear" he said, softly, as [
paused involuntariy at the head Of the
stairs, come back aud let nae cxpIain
! you kno~ [ have LOT kept you waiting viii
| lingly."
But | went OH without II word, rot 10 our
chamber, but to a little dressing-room ex-
| clpsiveiy my own, and closed and locked
| the door. l am sue the Evil one must
| have hal coutToi Of me that uighU. In q
| little while he cnTne up stairs. anG tried the
| lock of my door then ne called my name
softly; but l did not auswcr-and he went