The Van Buren press., 1877-05-29
-------------------------
MISCELLANY.
JEALOUSY.
From New York American.


From New York Americana
| CHAPTER THE ALBUM.
A carriage had sotpped at the house of
Commodore Harwood, in Norfolk, Vir
ginia A lady about forty-fivc, attired
in a travelling dress, had alighted and
was timidly ringing the door bell Or
the servant who answered her summons
she inquired If Mrs. Harwood was at
home and giving her name as Mrs.
Horton she was shown into the parlor.
The lady of the house soon made her APP
pearance, accompanied by her daughter,
a tall, thin and pale visaged girl of TWEEN
ty. At the entrance of the ladies the
visitor showed some embarrassment, and
stammered few words of excuse as she
handed Mrs. HARDWOOD a letter of intro
duction that she had procured from q
friend before leaving New York.
Mrs. Aker's note informs me- said
Mrs. Harwood, in her kindest tone, after
perusing the letter, "that you have IA
vor to ask of me. shall be happy to
be of any service to you, Mrs. Horton.
Encouraged by this kind of reception.
Mrs. Horton lost some of her timdity,
and replied more at ease, $50 | have,
Mrs. Harwood. but fear taking up too
much of your time, as have long sto-
ry to tell
Being assured by Mrs Harwood that
she would be only too glad to listed, the
widow paused as if to regulate her
thoughts, and then proceeded:
about three months ago my dahght-
er and were coming up from Florida,
where we had spent the winter. The
train had reached Norfolk, when a 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 ouI baggage.
70 this we gladly assented. He soon
entered into conversation, in which Rose,
my daughter. freely took part, and,
though naturally very reserved, she, too,
became very communicative, and treated
him rs an old friend. He told us that he
was an officer in the navy, attached to
one of the vessels stationed in Virginia
waters, under the command of Commo
dore Harwool, and that he would have
been happy to tell us his name, but that,
having absented himself without re.u-
lar leave Of absence, aud with only his
captains Informal permission, he felt
compelled 10 shan any indiscret,0n that
might iuvoIe bis superior officer and
tIi t,.ji IN,
railroad travelling, seemed t. fly with us,
and we reached New York almost with
,'es-tvu. "s -o're-nr"u,s" ~ 90 paro VIVA onr
pleasant companion had arrived. lie
said the most agreeable things to Rose,
and begged for our address, hoping to
be able some time, as he said to receive
Il leave of absence, and then come and in
troduce himself regularly. Days went
by, and we heard nothing more of our
new friend. But soon perceived that
Rose had not forgotten hun. A mother
can not deceive herself where her daugh-
ter's happiness is concerned. Iquestion
ed her closely. She tried to conceal the
truth from ne. But soon learned all
She was in love, and she loved the man
whom she had known but few hours.
Il do not feel ash amed, my dear mad
am" resumed the widow, after pause,
"to say that am my daughters slave;
it is my pride to do her wish. She is so
good to me, and so reasonable She ask
ed me to take her down to Norfolk
saw her suffering. and had no heart to
refuse h r. Ii have been wrong in
yielding to her desire. hope you will
find my excuse in mothers love"
~ do, indeed" said Mrs Harwood,
Il would have done no less for that
child Of mine
That child OF hers had listened to the
narrative with all her ears, but no single
motion of her body betrayed her
thoughts.
"If do not misunderstood" resumed
Mrs. HARDWOOD, "the object Of your jour
ney is to find your agreeable fellow tray
eler, is it not?'
sit is"
"l 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 herdaughter, " Blanche,
she said, lean you guess who he may
be p
81 fear not Blanche answered dryly,
"Ah now | think Of it, said Mrs
Harwood, with sudden inspiration, "my
daughter has all their photographs, Go,
dear, and bring down the officers al
bum" 4..,...
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 re-
feet; then Fastening to her bureau, with
teverish hand she took down the album
she wanted, and opened it. After turn
ing over several leaves, she drew out a
portrait bearing the name of Edgar
Washburn," and glanced at it with q
frown. This is the gallant MANI she
muttercd, sarcasticaly. 1t can be no
one ese' Putting the portrait into her
pocket, she filed the empty space in the
album with one ofthose which, owing to
laun Of space, were lying loose at the end
,,f the hook A moment later she re- en-.
Tered ,he paripr, and laid the album open
beiure Mr.. Horton, The latter eagerl
looked through it. bat lAe face OF the un
known was not there
Are these all "a cried The ia ly, IN
a ilsheartened tone,
l /