The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1877-04-28
JEALOUSY.
From the New York Americana

OF Commodore HARDWOOD, IN NOrfOlk,
Virginia. A lady about fOrty-five, at
tired in travelling dress, had alighted,
and was timidly ringing the door bell.
Of the servant who answered her sum-
mons she inquired if Mrs. HARDWOOD was
at home, and giving her name as +" Mrs.
Horton" she was shown into the par
lor. The lady of the house soon made
her appearance, accompanied by her
daughter, a tall, thin, and pale-visaged
girl of twenty At the entrance of the
ladies the visitor showed some embar-
rassment, and stammered few words
of excuse as she handed Mrs. HARDWOOD
a letter of introduction that she had pro-
cured from friend before leaving New
York.
"Mrs. Acker's note informs me-"
said Mrs. HARDWOOD, in her kindest tone,
after perusing the letter, shat you have
favor to ask of me. shall be happy
to be of any service to you, Mrs. Hor-
ton"
Encouraged by this kind of reception,
Mrs. Horton lost some of her timidity,
and replied, more at ease, $50 have,
Mrs. HarwOod, but I fear taking up too
much of your time, as l have long
story to tell.'
Being assured by Mrs. HARDWOOD that
she would.be only too glad to listen, the
widow paused as if to regulate her
thoughts, and then proceeded:
ssAbout three months ago my daugh-
ter and were coming up from Florida,
where we had spent the winter. The
train had reached Norfolk, when tall,
dark and handsome young man, about
twenty-five, entered. the car. AS the
seat in front of us was occupied only by
our rugs, and as there seemed to be no
other place vacant, he very politely
begged our permission to share it with
our baggage. To this we gladly assent
ed. He soon entered into conversation,
in which Rose, my daughter, freely took
part, and, though naturally very reserv-
cd, she, too, soon became very COM
municative, and treated him as an old
friend. He told us that he was an officer
in the navy, attached to one of the YES
sells stationed in Virginia waters, under
the command of Commodore HARDWOOD,
and that he would have been happy to
tell us his name, but that, having alb
scented himself without regular leave
of absence, and with only his captains
informal permission, he felt compelled
to shun any indiscretiOn that might in
volve his superior officer and friend.
Time, generally so tedious in railroad
travelling, seemed to fly with us, and we
reached New York almost with regret,
as the moment to part with our pleasant
companion had arrived. He said the
most agreeable things to Rose, and beg
ged for our address, hoping to be able
some time, as he said, to receive a
leave of absence, and then come and in
troduce himself regularly. Days went
by, and we heard nothing more of our
new friend. But l soon perceived that
Rose had not forgotten him. A mother
can not deceive herself where her daugh-
ter's happiness is concerned. ques-
toned her closely. She tried to conceal
the truth from me. But 1 soon learned
all. She was in love, and she loved the
man whom she had known but few
hours.
81 do not feel ashamed, my dear
madam resumed the widow, after
. a pause, ssto say that l am my daugh-
ter's slave; it is my pride to do her
wish She is so good to me, and so rea-
sonable! She asked me to take her
down to Norfolk; l saw her suffering,
and 1 had no heart to refuse her. If l
have been wrong in yielding to her de-
sire, l hope you will find my excuse in
mothers love-
81 do, indeed" said Mrs. HARDWOOD,
earnestly. 81 would have done no less
for that child of mine''
That child of hers had listened to the
narrative with all her ears, but not a
single motion of her body betrayed her
thoughts.
"If do not misunderstood you," re-
sumed Mrs. HARDWOOD, ''the object of
your journey is to find your agreeable
fellow-traveler, is it not?''
alt isl
81 am acquainted with very few of
our officers, but Blanche knows them all,
and if he is an officer, she can furnish
you with all the information you want"
Then, turning to her daughter,
"Blanche,'' she said, scan you guess
who he may be?''
al fear not Blanche answered dry
"Ah! now think of it," said Mrs.
HARDWOOD, with sudden inspiration, "my
daughter has all their photographs. Go,
dear, and bring down the officers al
bum.'-
f.. Blanche bit her lips, but replied quiet
ly: " AS you wish, mamma" Then she
turned and left the room. Upon reach
ing her chamber she stopped as if to
reflect; then fastening to her bureau,
with feverish hand she took down the
album she wanted, and opened it. After
turning over several leaves, she drew
out portrait bearing the name of
edgar Washburn," and glanced at it
with frown. ssThis is the gallant
mani" she muttered, sarcastically. "It
can be no one else!" Putting the por-
trait into her pocket, she filled the
empty space in the album with one of
those which, owing to lack of space,
were lying loose at the end of the book.
A moment later she re-entered the par
lor, and laid the album open before
Mrs. Horton. The latter eagerly looked
through it, but the face of the unknown
was not there.
"Are these all?'' queried the lady, in
a disheartened tone.
"Yes, madam said Blanche.
al should be glad to encourage your
hopes" Mrs. HARDWOOD replied; /" but
if you do not find him there, fear you
and your daughter have been victims of
some shameful deception
"Do not judge rashly, mamma" re-
joined Blanche, as though she took
pleasure in tantalizing the visitor; "per-
.haps Mrs. Horizons acquaintance styled
himself an officer only in spirit of hui
NOR. However much in the wrong, he
may still be respectable young man of
the city,"