The Osceola times., 1876-11-04
REWARD OF JEALOUSY,
ny LILLE ALLEN.

Feeling In lively mood, this evening
have concluded to write, for the edit
cation fwhoever may chance to read il
my experience in love. As you must
know, I, like all Others, was once young,
and likewise had my love dfeams, and
also my share Of trials and tribulations
relative to that distressing evil, Jealousy.
Well, shortly after my return from
college, met and formed an attachment
for Ethel Graves, a charming little bru-
nette with large brown eyes fringed all
around with jet lashes, the daughter of
our neighbor, wealthy southern plan.
ter. Being ncighbos, and our families
being on good terms, we were constantly
thrown together, and in due season my
affections were made known, and I am
happy to announce, were fully recipro.
Gated 20 we werc betrothed after the
usual fashion.
One evening, having called on nv
lady-love, there arose q question OF which
abe had been teasing me to tell her, and
having 1t in my power to tantalize her,
! made nse Of the opportunity.
Woman's curiosity" said !, with a
shrug of my shoulders, "and feminine
jealousy-n
Nonsense" retorted Ethel, coloring.
81 suppose men are never curious or
jealous either?" ~
Never quoth l., with smile of
. calm curiosity
"Then you must tell me, Herbert9"
think my dear, that your curiosity
and the other emotion need little dis.
cipline."
Now why on earth l wanted to be 90
provoking ! can't tell the natural per-
versity fman, most probably for there
was no other reason; l wanted TO tease
Ethel, 30 ! withdrew into a veil of un-
pcnetrable mystery.
She did no. say one word more, but
turned quietly and left the room, and as
she disappeared through the entrance |
saw the downward futter of a little slip
of white paper from her dress; now
whether it was dropped unintentionally
or on purpose we will leave for the read
ers to gue-s. lnstinctively l stocped to
pick 1t up. and, as stopped, could not
avoid reading the characters inscribed
thereon in q clear, masculine chirogra-
ply.
disappointment this time. X. c."
i felt the crimson flush mounting TO
my templesI as read and re-read the mys-
terious words, ar. c." Didn't | re.
member that Robert Clark was Etheps
second cousin, and a provokingly hand.
some fellow at that' Had ] forgotten
that people used to think what "hand.
some couple" they would make, before
stepped into the ring? r. c., indeed !
And ] clenched my fist involuntatily as
! crumpled the paper inside its grasp.
"What are you looking for, Ethels"
She stood with one hand resting lightly
on the door-knob, glancing uneasily
round the room, while there was guilty
hush on her cheek.
"I-that is-have you seen little
sliD Of n'per lying about?'
"No."
uttered the falsehood with deliberate
calmuess, even while the tcll.tale billet
lay in my hands. So she was anxious
about It. She didn't like the idea that
I should have an insight into her little
arrangements with r. G. All! false and
fair--all women are alike.
at must have bsen something very
important" remarked, as she hurriedly
turned over the books on the table, still
searching for the missing treasure.
sIsupioss have left il up stair" !"
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