The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-12-24
THROUGH THE FLOOD.
BY JULIUS CoMBE.

She was not beautiful fascinating 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 dam
gerously subtitle about her.
Her reverie is broken by the entrance
of gentleman; fair, tall and hand
some.
Good morning, my dear Mrs. Lay
ton | hope you are well, Still engag-
ed on that pretty embroidery? Pardon
me, | was told Alice was here. All!
there she is in the garden. | will go to
her !" and he left the room.
The relation of the parties is simple
enough. George Ashbury, who is both
personable and wealthy, is engaged to
be married to Alice, the youngest
daughter of Colonel Pentwell; while
Mrs. Layton, the elder of the two, has
returned, widow, to the paternal roof.
since the engagement of her sister and
George Ashbury.
A change comes over the pretty wild
owls face as she watches Alice and
George change by no means adding
to its beauty, so full is it of jealousy.
George stays but few minutes, how
ever; and when he has gone, Alice en-
tiers the room where ersister is seated.
There is family likeless between them,
tough Alice is calm, but proud, lack
ing the winning softness of manner and
expression which is her sisters greatest
charm.
"Mr. Ashhury paid a short visit,
said Mrs. Layton.
Eyes; he called to say that he could
not go to Bently's with US this afternoon,
as he was obliged to visit Wentham on
business"
'sHe goes to Wentham rather often,
doesn't he ?" she asked, putting a slight
emphasis on the word rather"
Eyes"
"He has relations near there
cousins, hasn't hep"
81 believe So"
81 think | remember one of them
Edith she was called; a pretty, fairy
like creature, with golden curls and
laughing blue eyes, who seemed to in
troduce sunshine wherever she went.
Were l engaged l should scarcely care
for my sutton to see too much of such a
nymph."
Alice made no reply, but her cheek
flushed, and for an instant her proud
lip quivered; then she was cold and
placid again.
Her sister had marked the change
and had instantly dropped the subject,
for she saw that the arrow shot at a
venture had struck home.
That afternoon the Bentleys, friends |
of the Pentwells, gave a croquet party, |
and large number of guests assembled |
on the lawn, when the colonels daugh-
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 Ashbury, accompa-
MED by his pretty cousin, of whom Mrs. |
Layton had spoken, appeared among
them.
Perhaps, at any other time, Alice |
would have accepted her lovers expla- |
nation as quite satisfactory, when he |
stated that on reaching Wentham, some
five miles off, he found business on |
which he went had been postponed for |
week, and as his cousin and uncle were |
coming to Bentley's, he decided upon
them.
But the hints of the morning had not |
been thrown away, and resenting the |
fancied slight to herself, Alice received
his excuses with polite indifference.
The thin end of the edge of distrust /
and jealousy had been inserted, and the
breach, slight as it was, increased rapid
10 fhoY
and disinterested friend of both, Mrs.
Layton daily helped to widen the breach
she had caused. George Ashbury was
her dupe. Mentally he drew COMPARE
sons between the sisters, always to AL
ices disadvantage. His visits were as
frequent as ever, but though he asked |
for Miss Pentwell, most of his time was
spent in the company of Mrs. Layton.
One evening Alice was sitting in an
arbor, engaged in reading, when her
attention was attracted by the sound of
familiar voices.
s.But you loved Alice?"
1t was her sister who spoke.
ssThat was before knew you. Be
sides, Alice has ceased to care for me.
You have told me SO yourself; and if
proof were wanting, does she not avoid
me as much as possihlei You need have
40 false delicacy on account of your
sister; only say you viii be my wifel"
Alice lost the answer. a faint giddi-
ness she could not control overcame her,
the sense of hearing was, for the mo-
ment, gone, and, when she recovered, L
the voices were no longer near.
She could not in the present frame Of
mind meet the sister who had stolen
away her priceless treasure, for IN her
Ditterest moments, Alice exonerated her
over from all blame Her own pride
md her sisters scheming had, she was
lure, done al the mischief.