The Van Buren press., 1871-04-18
MISCELLANY.
What Came Of My Jealousy.

1t was misty, yet sweet September
night can sec the sky as it hung ovel
the Swans nest, our sea side home, star.
ry blue, with here and there patch OF
white floating gossamer; aud the harvest
moon coming up and flooding all the
world with golden splendor. remember
how the crimson roses hung about the
door, heavy with their own sweetness
and what suggestive odors hoated up
from the flower beds in the dim old gar
den. can even remember the dress |
wore-pure white, because that was the
dress in which my husband loved me best,
Did he love me at all? Or was it my
yellow gold that won him?
Immediately after our marriage we
went to the Continent, where we ramblcd
about for year or two, wintering in
Rome, and spending the summers amid
the Alps. Then we returned home. But
the nomadic spirit was still upon US, and
we took what our own country afforded
in the way of gypsy life In the midst
OF this wandering, in country town
amid the Lakes, my first trouble came.
On the second day of our sojourn at the
hotel in this place, to which we had come
in accordance with my husbands wish, l
missed him. He was fishing for trout,
one OF our party suggested; and, in the
afternoon, we s.rolled down toward the
stream Passing q small cottage, we
heard voices, and something familiar
made me glance that way. Therc they
stood, side by side, my husband and Il
woman-young woman, with glossy,
raven hair. we passed on in sieuce, but
that night, when my husband returned
and sought me, ! was reserved ana cold.
refused to dance, and would not sing
for him. He folloWel me from place to
place, his eyes fall OF solicitade. The
moment we were in our own room, he
caught my hands in his.
My darling, he said, q" what troubles
your
For my life l could not tell him, ]
was afraid to let him know that..I doubted
his integrity
Horace, questioned tmidly, "do
you love me
His fine eyes opened wide with aston
ishment But he answered passionately,
Love you? Aye better than you will
ever know, Violet.
did you-have you ever loved any
one clsey ~ ! faltered
"Never, Violet, on my honor. "
was happy, yet not entirely satisfied
| was woman Eve ate the forbidden
fruit with Paradise all around her.
Then who was it, / faltered, "that
woman--I saw you with-this after
noon?'
lie started, and flushed very red for a
moment, then he laughed.
"Oh," said he, Jealous, are you
Then / am sure you love me. But SO
riously, hear, ! ought to have apologized
for my long absence. That woman was
friend, an old friend of mine she's in
distress, and had to help her. Are you
satisfied Z"
nodded my head in assent; yet my
heart was not quite at rest. After that
we went down to Swans Nest, our sea.
side home, and settled into sober mar,
ried life; and for months our bliss was
perfect; and when that dreadful night
came
Horace had been gone all day. He did
not come home to dinner, as was his Gus.
tom; so, after having tea, ! dressed my
SELF and sat down in the shaded
porch to await him. Sunset, dusky,
evening the moon soaring up above the
sea? Still he did not come. Dinner and
supper had both got spoiled; the flowers
in my hair were fading, and l was sick
and weary with waiting and suspense
Horace had never remained away so long
since our marriage. What could detain
him so? Very slowly the evening went
by. Twelve O'Clock came, the moon
dropped ont Of sight leaving me in dark
ness. An owl hooted from the top ofan
old willow, and the surf beat with q
weary, sobbng sound.
worked myself up into perfect
tremor Of alarm and nervous excitement
and, by degrees, the old doubt, or fear.
or whatever it was, stole back to my
mind. My husband was cruel to keep
me in such suspense. He did not love
me! 1t never occurred to me that he
might be detained against his will When,
ut last the clock was on the stroke OF
three. caught tie qli9k tramp Of his
horses feet Bsl 10 did not greatly re
lieve me. ! lei; cry, and instead OF
running down to meet him, as my wo.
mans nature prompted me, yielded to
my pctted, wayward will. and kept my
seat When he reached the porch, he
sprang down, flushed and eager.