The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-05-16
THR IDIOTS DEVOTION.

lake AMI meadow and woodland, and
threw around the fine old mansion oil
the Berkley family. near the "Hswk ke 4
Nest'-that grand pillar Of rock one
the hcussnt feet higa-a wierd grandear.
the young ani naughty mistress of the
house paced up AMI dosp her apar.rnen,
with hurried. anxious aud restles. step.
A isrsnge light sh ns in her eyes.
Her cheeks were no. and flushed, n
most to cherry redness.
1T drives me mad" she said, stamp
ing the floor with rage. Il fear ! am
losing my senses and 10 think that
shonld be devoured by jealously, and
all caused by one'who was born 10 be
my slave-who would have never been
any thing better than a servant were il
ROTOR my kindness and eondescension
The torture IS too great to be borne!
she continued. burying her face III her
band.. MY humiliation ia complete
If Leonard really loves her. then death
would be sweet to me, - life in such
circumstances can give me nothing but
bitterness
Convul.ive sobs burst from her in a
torrent. They shook her frame. and for
once this proud spirited woman gavs
her embittered feelings full vent.
The crimson velvet curtain which
screened the open window was drawn
gently aside while yet Lucy Berk!ey
reci,ed hsr anguish aud her fears.
A strange man. who had heard al! she
said. entered her room from the bal
cony. and stood uncovered before her
Dwsrfed in stature, with long. hairy,
powerful arms. and an unshspely body
he gazed at the lazy with look Of mis-
erabls vacancy. This was . harmless
idiot. who had grown up amongst the
servants Of the ablishment, and was
allowed to roam the house with almost
unlimited Freedom. He had been dis
covered ia Miss Berkley's garden. when
only couple of years old, and bad
well-nigh perished there Of cold and
hunger.
Naturally charitable, Lucy Berkeley
took compassion on the helpless unfor-
tunste. and gave orders that he should
be brought up Ly the gardnere's wife
No one ever claimed tho boy. Nor
was tho slightest clue ever obtained rs
to who he was, or where he came from
lie was only pauper whom noboly1 owned"
As b. grew up, Rufus-for such he
was called by accident-it became very
apparent. Gas the merest idiot. He
could be taught no letters. yet he made
himself useful. in more ways than one.
in the house and garden.
OF one sentiment only did he seem ca.
p,blc. and that WAS to idolize Lucy Berk-
Icy. To her he devoted himself entirely
- dog does to his master. A kind
word from her would send him into fits
of glee for hours He had not intelli-
gence enough to anticipate her wishes,
but it gave him . positive delight to
execute her orders.
This devotion touched the heart of
the sensitive Miss Berkeley. the more
that she was often disgusted with the
mercenary objects and motives of her
His appearance, however. created
now sudden feeling of surprise. Ha-
tired, rage and grief were upon bis
face, unpis,aksbly, but most curiously
Rufus stood silently before her for u
moment. no, daring to approach antil
she spoke.
"Whst is the matter, Rufus: Iwish
to be alone" she said.
For nu answer he approached her and
Kissed rather than spoke. Come! see |!
She is with him =
And the idio. boy pointed to the open
window, ard drew aside the curtain so
that Mis-, Berkley might pass through
to the balcony The words Of the sim.
pleton aroused her curiosity. She cast
q searching glance over the gardens
which surrounded the house. aud in o
moment the object Of his hate became
apparent The clear moonlight showed
her two figures walking arm 10 atm
through q distant avenue shaded by
fine elm trees.
One Was Clara Martin. Miss Berkly's
companion" The other alas her
own affianced lover. Leonard Dsrcs.
The idiot watched the anguish de-
pic,ed on his mistress's face, and then.
clsuching his hand. and pointing in the
which the pair were taking.
he cried. Il hate her She is bad She
makes you weep"
Miss Berkeley did not answer. bu. her
gaze remained fixed on the fai,hless
pair who were coquetting in the gar
den. They seemed absorbed in each
other. and were engaged in earnest con.
vcrsation.
"You would be happy if she was far
away. where he could never see her
againv" hisssd Rufua
"Yss, if il were possible." said Miss
Berkley. half to herself. Then, in .
louder tone: "But If he loves her. he
would follow her to the end Of the earth.
How false and ,raachesous he is
Docs be think my pride can brook
this ?"
Then turning to the idiot. she said
in q tone Of command. waving him off
with her hand, Leave me now. Rufus.
Iud see that no one Genes near rne again
this evening""
The flames Of dark, burning jealousy
we're famed into blaze within the dis
appointed woman's heart, aud she was
IN tears for some hours upon the couch
In her boudoir.
The next morning. as the gardener
Of the Berkley family made his usual
rounds in his gardens and plantations.
he sax lying upon grassy bank the
lifeless form Of Clara Martin.
There she lsy. stiff and cold in death.
A curiously shaped dagger was lying
beside her. II 1as Of foreign work
and was apparently the