Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-11-11
SELECTED STORY
JEALOUSY;
OR
THE FAIR SCHEMER FOILED.
BY CAPT. CHARLES HOWARD.

BY CAPT. CHARLES HOWARD.
Twilight had thrown her beautiful mantle
around Byron. nesting in the greenest of
valleys, when Nettie Clifton left her cham
Der and strolled through the garden and
into the arbor.
There Alphonse Drayton, hr accepted
sutton, had promised to meet her, and the
hour when lovers meet was at hand. He
was noble fellow, admired by the young
ladies of the pleasant, picturesque village
and more than one of them coveted the
smiles he bestowed upon Nettic.
She thought Of her lover as she sat on
the rustic arbor bench, abstractedly tearing
leaves from the vine. Sire wondered what
kept him away. for the promised time had
already passed. Hitherto he had ever been
punctual, and she could not divine the
cause for his absence.
Suddenly and noiselessly a form darkened
the trelised doorway, and the interior of the
arbor. Ncttie looked up and half started
forward to greet, as she thought, her lover.
But second look told her that the form
was that Of a woman, who leaned heavily on
crooked cane.
Half fearing the person, Nettie shrank
back into the gloom, hoping that the stran.
ger would soon disappear
But the hag-for such the woman vas
hobbled into the arbor, and her sharp eyes
penetrated the gloom, and at last fell upon
Nettie's shrinking form.
Lady, you are waiting for lover who
will not sit by your side tonight said the
wrinkled faced and toothless bag in creak
ing tone.
How do you know this p demanded Net
tie, in voice tremulous through fear at the
hag's words.
my own eyes do not deceive me- was
the answer. 1 saw him an half hour ago
standing beside fair girl, on the banks Of
Silver Stream
Nettie started and the rosy color flew
from her cheeks. Her characteristic foible
was jealousy and the vhisperings of the
greeneyed monster she was ever too willing
to believe.
You say you saw them?' she asked,
rising, and stepping up to the informer.
Did [ not [ would have not SAID So If
you cannot believe mo without reiteration [
will go
She turned as if about to hobble from the
artor, when Nettie caught her arm and
forced her around that she might gaze into
her face.
odd woman, she cried, if you lie will
almost tear you piecemeal. Prove your
assertion now, by leading me to the spot
where you say you saw them.
I will do it. 1 have taken deep inter-
est in your future welfare, and I do not
want you to be the love of base deceiver.
who are yon?'
Not now, young lady; not now. Are
you going to Silver Stream without your
hat ? The air is somewhat COOL
I am going just as I am Nettie said,
impatiently. Lead on; my heart is afre.
I do not wish to doubt him, but-but-'
Seeing is believing said the bag.
Yes : yes mprmured Nettie, she is
right seeing is believing
Already she believed her lover faithless
but she wanted to see proof of his infdeli-
~.
It was astonishing how rapidly the seem.
ingIy much crippled bag hobeled over the
ground but Nettie did not notice how sup
pie her joints were fast becoming.
At last the little wrinkled old woman
paused beneath mulberry tree near the
crystal stream. Before them grew 10
of bushes, and pointing over them with hel
cane, the bag turned to Nettie.
Look over these thorns and down int
the hollow, and tell me what ysu see. TIL
young moon will aid you. They wer
standing beneath the sycamore when wa
here
The beautiful but jealous belle of Byrol
looked down into the vale which seemed t
lay at their very feet. Through it mean
dered the little brook, on one of who's
banks stood a stately sycamore. Beneat
one of its branches, and in the soft rays c
the full moon, stood couple who stife
Nettie's breath, and drove her white nail
into her yielding palms.
She gazed upon her lover, and girls
form which for the first time net her jeal
GUS vision. Alphonse's arm enciroled he
waist, and lie was looking down into he
almost spiritual face. Suddenly he kisse
her, and the action wrung cry from th
watcher She bit her beautiful lips till til
red current Of life stained her dimple CHR
and started back.
The old crons watched her every mov'
ment and repulsive leer of triumph owe
spread her face!
Have I lied :? she asked, gloating ov'
Netties jealous agony.
'No-no!' cried Nettie He is false
as faithless as the fiends that FELL
: 'Yes-yes, you have indubisable proof
his infdelity.'
He loves tho girl at bis side, Who
she?
S 4 know not answered the bag. I 50
y them last night where they stand now
: Then the present meetings is not the
first gasped Nettie.