Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-08-26
TRAGEDY OF CROFrON WOODS

Surrendering all but honor.
GRENADA, MISS, May :, 1869.
TRAGEDY OF CRoFrON WOODS
4 young lady, with streamin,
black hair, and great purplc-blacl
hands in the doorway of prettl
country house. With head bent for
ward and lips parted, she listenet
and peered through the shrubbery
as if expecting some one. a stel
sounded on the gravel walk at last
and a tall form came hurriedly for
ward in the twilight. The lady il
the doorway, Calista Langdon
shrank back little in the hall, anC
the eager, anxious look passed from
her face. Her white hands unclasp
ed, and she changed her position o.
inquiry and watchfulness to an atti
tude of perfect ease and Indifference
She plucked at a bloodrose that
grew and dropped over the door.
"GoOd evening, Mr. Holliston, she
called out, in a pleasant, musica
voice. 81 have been looking anC
watching lOT AllCc.
She dropped her eyes as she utter
ed these words, which were false
but in an instant after, flashed then
upon Herman Holliston III all theil
bewitching splendor.
Careful and thoughtful, as usual
Calista," said the youngman, spring
ing to her side, and taking her hand
"Where has Alice gomez"
"She went over to see Miss Pru
dence, q short time ago, and said she
would be home at sunset; she viii
be here shortly think. Come into
the parlor, Herman; l have bunch
of water lilies there, your favoritC
flowers"
"Thank you, Calista," said the
young man little uneasily; Il think
I'll go across the field TO meet Alice
then L shall be most happy to see the
lilies when we return"
a dark shadow fitted across the
face of Calista Langdon; her eye;
flashed with baleful light, but She
said, very calmly, as she plucked al
the petals of the bloOd-red rose il
her hand. 81 presume Alice will bt
glad to have company across the
lonesome field"
Herman Holliston ran down the
steps, and walked hurriedly along
He looked behind him, and waved
his hand towards Calista, smiling
pleasantly as he passed under the
great elm trees which grew on each
side of the gravel walk. He had
gone but a few rods in the green
fields before he met Alice Gray, a
delicate blue eyed maiden, with long
golden hair, and sleader, graceful
form.
As they wc:S walking back to the
house, Herman drew the young
girl under the shadow of a great elm
tree; and with the moonbeams strug-
Cling through the leaves, and sit
ting down upon them, he asked her
to be his wife. Obtaing her blush
ing consent, he placed the betrothal
ring on her finger. With hearts over
flowing her with happiness, they re-
turned to the house, and found Ca
lista awaiting them at the door.
"Give US your blessing, Calista, -
said Herman, as, clasping the hand
of Alice, they stood before the
queenly form of Miss LangdOn. CAL
ice has promised to be my wife," he
"and to make our happi-
ness complete, we want your appro-
val.'
Calista Langdon staggered back
into the hall, her face blanching as
W hite as death: but IN an instant she
was calm and composed, and held
out both hands to them.
"If that is all YOU need" she said,
sit shall not be denied you. Ny Gp-
proval is given most heartily" She
drew them into the house as she
said this. "The dew is heavy to-
night" she added; "come into the
parlor."
They followed her: and, entering
the pretty furnished room, sat down
side by side on sofa near the open
window. Calista sat down for a
few moments, then graciously bid
ding them good night, she retired
from the room, leaving the lovers
alone.
"Once L thought it was G alista
you loved" said Alice, timidly.
when they were alone.
Il was dazzled at first, by her
he replied, "but my infat-
uation soon passed away when l
came to know you; and now one
ringlet of your golden hair has a
greater charm for me than ali of Ca
lista's surprising beauty. She is
very kind TO you though Alice; and |
love her as a friend"
"Calista has changed much of
late" said Alice; ''she once was so
cold and unapproachable, | almost
feared her; now she is so gentle and
kind to me, that | love her dearly"
While these two lovers sat con-
versing so happily together, the sub
iect of their conversation was pac-
ing her room, with her hands clench-
ed and her black eyes flashing with
anger and evil determination.
"Thev shall never be united" she
said, in a hoarse whisper. Never,
never, | will stab her to the heart
first. Herman Holliston shall mar
rv me vet. If that little doughfaced
Alice had not crossed my path, he
would be mine now. l was a fool
to come here, but L little thought
Herman Holliston was a man to
turn from my dazzling beauty TO
that baby-faced Alice. She shall
never be his wife. l swear it,
Until nearly morning she paced
her room, forming plans 10 prevent
the marriage of the man she loved
and her pretty cousin Alice. She
had met Herman Holliston the pass
winter, in London, and he had
shown her marked attention. But
when the warm days of June came.
she left town to spend the summer
months with her cousin Alice, who
was an orphan, and lived with a
maiden aunt in a beautiful country
house.
Herman HollistOn followed her,
taking up his abode at the hotel in
the nearest town, and, calling often
at the house. He became acquaint-
ell with Alice, whom to know was
to love. Calista soon lost all charms
for him; and it was not long before
he asked the golden-haired country
maiden to be his wife. We have al
ready told the result, and the effect
which the betrothal had upon Calls
ia Langdon.
y week after the engagement ring
had been placed upon Alice's finger.
she was sitting III the library, read
ing, one lovely afternoon, when Ca
lista entered; and bending over her