Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-08-22
THROUGH THE FLOOD.
BY JULIUS COME.

She was not beautiful-fascinatin is
the word which perhaps, best describes
her. A widow, too; and as she sits
there indOlently playing with her COL
ored silks, while the bright sunshine
rests upon her dark brown hair and
delicate hands, there Is something
dangerously subtitle about her.
Her reverie is broken by the en-
tsance oi gentleman; fair, tall and
handsome.
Good morning, my dear Mrs. Lay
ION; hope you are we'll Still enga-
ged on that pretty embroidery? Par
don me, was told Alice was here.
Ah! there she is in the garden. will
20 to herr and he left the room.
The relation of the parties is simple
enough. George Ashbury, who is both
personsble and wealthy, is engaged to
be married to Alice, the youngest
daughter of Colonel Pentwell; while
Mrs. Layton, the elder of the two, has
widow, to the paternal
roof, since the engagement OF her sis
ter and George Ashbury.
A change comes over the pretty
widows face as she watches Alice and
Georgia. change by no means adding
to its beauty, so full is 1t ofjealousy.
George stays but lew minutes, how
ever; and when he has gone, Alice en-
tiers the room where her sister Is seat
ed. There is family likeless between
them, though Alice is calm, but proud,
lacking the winning softness Of manner
greatest charm.
'Mr. Ashbury paid short visit,
said Mrs. Layton.
Yes; he called 10 say that he could
not go to Bentley's with us this after
noon, as he was obliged to visit Went
ham on business
He goes to Wentham rather often,
doesn't he? she asked, putting q slight
emphasis on the word rather
Yes
He has relations near there-cous-
ins. hasn't hep
Il believe So
Il think I remember one of them
Edith she was called; pretty, fairy
like creature, with golden eurls and
laughing blue eyes, who seemed to In
troduce Sunshine wherever she went
Were 1 engaged should scarcely care
for my suitor to see so much OF such
nymph.'
Alice made no reply, but her cheek
flushed, and for an Instant her proud
lip quivered; then she was cold and
placid again. - Ia - ~
Her sister had marked the change,
and had instantly dropped the subject,
for she saw the arrow shot at venture
had struck home.
aff friends
of the Pentwells, gave crOquet party,
and large number Of guests assembled
on the lawn, W hen the Oolonel'sr daugfl-
ter arrived ~ - -
. Alice was soon deep in the mysteries
of croquet, with young lieutenant as
her partner, and had just Won the first
game, when George Ashbnry, accom-
panied by his pretty cousin, of whom
Mrs. Layton had spoken, appeared
among them. Nn-ETnA.
Perhaps, at any otlier tima Alice
would have accepted her lovers expla-
nation as quite satisfactory, when he
stated that on reaching Wenthan,
some five miles off, he found the busi-
ness on which he went had been post
pOned for week, and as his cru5in
and uncle were coming to Bentleya' he
decided upon accompanying them.
Bat the hints Of the morning 2had not
been thrown away, and resenting' the
fancied slight to herself, Alice receiv-
his excuses with polite Indifference.
The thin end of the edge of diStrust
and jealousy had been Inserted, aud
the breach, slight as it was, increased
rapidly. While apparently the most
sincere and disinterested friend Of both,
Mrs. Layton daily helped to widen the
breach she had caused. George Ash
bury was her dupe. Mentally he drew
com parsons between the sisters, al :
ways to Allce's disadvantage. His Wis
its were rs frequent rs ever, but tho
he asked for Miss Pontwell, most of
his time was spent in. the COMPANY Of
MrS. Layton. ~ e. "
One evening Alice was sitting in an
arbor, engaged in reading, when her
attention Was attracted by the sound
of familiar voices.
But you loved Alice" H
1t was her sister who spoke.
"Phat was before I-knew you. Be-
sides, Alice has ceased 10 cdre--fOr Ele.
You have told me SO XOurseli; and il
proof were wanting does she not avoid
me as much as possible? You need
have no false deIicacy on account OF
your sister; only say you WILDE my
wirep ok Il I 2.
Alice lost the answer. A faint giddi
ness she could not control overeame
her, the sense Of Shearihg was, for the
InuIneFt, goue, and when she recover
ed. the voiees were no longer near.
She could not in the present frame OF
mind meet the sister who had stolcfl
away her priceless treasure, for, in her
bi,terest moments, Alice eXhoneratei
her lover from blame. Her own pride
and her sisters schemihg had, she was
sure, d,me all the mischief.
Marlpits, where Colonel Pyntweli
and his daughter resided, was Il. town
OF comparatively modern growth, stu
ated in wide. deep valley, many OF,
the houses being built OH the side OF
the hills. i2l51 q .-zf.li
Among its peculiarities was the res
ervoir for supplying the town with
waler-a large circular mound on q
hill, originally above the town, though
the houses were now creeping up to ii.
There had lately been ominous ru
mors of the insecurity Of the reSer-
voir. Some said the side nearest the
town was giving way; that the severe
frosts of the past winters had damaged
the stone and earthworks, and there
were many who predicted that one fine
morning would find the town drowned.
1t was Sunday, and Hs CDlonel Pent-
we'll and bis two daughters entered the
church they regularly attended, ray
OF sunlight fell upon the old soldiers
white hair, and lighted up his young
est daughters pretty face, on which