Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-04-08
For the Chronicle.
THE DARK DAYS OF JEALOUSY.
BY EURD.
CHAPTER 1.

mother earth in silence, and beautiful
Luna had come forth bathing all nature
in her soft, silvery radiance, beneath
which might have been seen the hand
some form of Walter Gray moving at |
rapid pace as he drew near a beautiful
mansion in the outskirts of the city O
-, the home of Lutte Sea, seeming
ly unconscious of all save his owl
suferings, muttering in bitter anguish
"Ah miserable wretch, fool that / an
to love, in spite of judgment, one sc
unworthy, so false r. Madness fires
the brain and anger sways the heart
that two hours previous was full oi
love and tenderness. Jealousy, long
hid in a darkened cell of an otherwise
noble heart, had come forth to curse
the object of his purest affections. A
moment more and he stood face to face
with her.
For an hour or more she had watched
anxiously for his coming, little dream
ing of the dark cloud that would in so
short time obscure the sunshine of
her young life. But one glance into
his dark flashing eyes and the tender
words of welcome were forgotten, and
trembling with fear and anxiety she
eagerly asked" Walter are you angry,
Why
False girl, l have but few words
for you. l have learned all your
duplicity and allow me to say, that you
no longer make puppet of Walter
Gray"
why. Walter, do you thus reproach
me? who have sacrificed all that
was dear to me in life for your love.
You know that make myself home
less and penniless the moment /
acknowledge you my husband, and
yet-is it not enough"
ut is enough that l bow no longer
at the shrine of false woman"
This, with the sarcastic glitter of his
eyes, was too much for the wounded
and humiliated girl, and with naughty
look of defiance she slipped the hand
some band of gold from her finger
that she had worn with the pride of a
queen, and tossed it at his feet, whisper
ing unworthy" The large thought
full eyes were sad but dry as she walked
away saying, Though [ know not why
he has turned from me with curses on
his lips, still warm with affection s
kiss-crushed the life of his foolish
worshiper, yet I'll bury the love that
has known no idol save Walter Gray"
Thus soliloquising she retraced her
steps, moving with slow and measured
tread along the same path over which
an hour ago she had bounded so light
ly and happy as scarcely to leave foot
print She fingered not on the marble
steps where she had so often stood
watching his retreating form. Enter
ing the hall she paused-a moment
her hand rested On the balustrade as
he.lingered for rest, for thought, then
ascended the steps to her private room.
There, with soul unbared to solitude
the great tears gushed to her eyes
Falling on her knees she prayed for
power to crush out of her insurgent
heart the very thought of one who had
proven so unworthy-for help to over
come the bitter anguish following this
sudden reYulsion so mortifying to her
proud spirits.
Rising with such comfort as only ex
perience can know, she bathed her
burning cheeks so scorched with tears
of wounded love and pride-looked
about her but to think with disgust of
all her wealth-of the enchanting circle
of fashionable friends-of coterie OF
idle worshipers, and asked, rs this a
true womau's happiness? No, no
Echo answers no! Yet, duty as my
guide, with the aid of my God, I'll
conquer ~
Lutte Sea was by no means beau
tiful woman, but in spite of irregular
features her face was attractive the
cast of her counteuance bespoke in
tellect, purity. love and truth, which
had won for her innumerable admirers
Being the child of rank and wealth
surrounded by every luxury-unac.
quainted, till now, wish sorrow, the
mirror of woman s heart-her noblest
attributes had lain dormant Now in
the anguish of broken spirit she lifts
her voice to God, praying for strength
and power to accomplish good in this
life with the talents He had given her,
With the wealth that had hitherto
served for naught but to win for heE
the sycophantie fawninss of the world