Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1882-11-14
MIscELLk ME0US.
JEALOUSY PUNISHED.

Lillian Whitney looked out into the gath
ering twiight-her fair face, with the nut.
brown curis clinging about 1t, brought out
in startling relief by a background Of vivid
blush roses.
She was expecting her lover-noble, hands
some Frank Carleton Only week ago he
had poured into her ears the story of his love,
and had asked her to be his wife
And she smiled softly and blushed as she
looked at the diamond ring which cleaned
in the tender light of the glorious juno moon,
just grandly rising behind the far-otf purple
hills.
"Oh," muFmured Lillian, "what have 1
ever done that such grand, noble man should
love me ?'
The love>light in hcr eyes became brighter,
the bushes on her cheeks deepened, for she
heard footstep which she could never mis-
| take.
With huttering~heart Lillian shrunk back
among the rosC-bushes, thinking fondIy that
Frank would soon find her.
But Frank Carleton was not sIono-for a
woman, tall and graceful in form, dressed in
sombre black, was walking beside him.
Hark Frank was speaking, aud Lillian
strained her ears to hear. What look of
love and devotion there was on his face as he
bent over her! Lillian clinched her hands,
and her lips grew white aud rigid.
"Dear Maud" he said, softly and tenderly.
s'you can never guess how vory, very thank
full am that that man is dead. Now you are
free, aud nothing shall part US again"
Nothing. Frank 2" she said, looking IN
at him and Lillian could see tho passionate
love shining in his eyes 'Not oven your
marriage with this beautiful Miss Whitney p"
"Surely not" he answered, almost rel eproach.
| fullY FWhv should il Pr
And then they passed on.
With low moan, Lillian fell prone among
the rose-bushcs.
Lillian did not stop to reason-did not stop
to consider that there might be mistake
that decoit and falsehood had ever becn for
eign to Frank Carletons nature.
And SO the next day Frank received a
small peckage-n few books, somc old love-
letters, and diamond ring There was no
! note of explanation but he we'll knew who
had sent them.
Enragcd and astounded, he Immediately
sought Lillian for an explanation but tho ser>
want who answered his impatient ring said
that she was ''uot at home"
A week later, Frank Carleton started for
Europe; and so these two lives, that might
have been all in all to oHch other, driited
further and further apart.
Five years later. It was the evening of Mrs.
Roderick Forests ball, and the best society
of Melville was there.
Lillian Whitney leaned back in the embra>
sure of ono of the widows, and, hidden by the
flowing drapories of tho curtains watched with
| dreamy, half closed eyes, the bright, merry
throng in the ballroom
Her beauty was more s0iriIueNe than it had
been five years ago, aud the proud look on
her face had softencd into more tender, more
womanly curves She was decidedly the bell
Of the evening, and it was only by much skill
fu! mAnGuvring that she had been able to
gain this quiet retreat for few moments
All at once she caught her breath With n
sudden gasp of pain, and, placing her hand
on her heart, to stop its wild beating, leaned
forward and peered out.
Yes, it was surely Frank Carleton she saw,
though he was much changed. Tall and
straight, and Drowned, with heavy mustnche
and beard, he looked at least ten years older,
and certainly great deal moro handsome
and manly, than he had looked five years ago.
chow noble he looks! !" Lillian thought,
with a sudden thrill ooh, how could I mis-
judge him so by my dark suspicious? and now
1 have lost him foreverv'
Aud the hot tears Of bitter anguish and re>
morse trickled between her dainty. gloyed fin>
gers.
The curtains parted, and Mrs. Roderick
forrest and Frank Carleton stood before her.
Lillian, love, you thought you would out
wit us this time, but you see you have failed.
for knew where you were all the time. Allow
me to presens- Why, child, are you i'll Z"
For, white aud trembling, our heroine had
sunk down, looking like broken lily.
She thought she could besr the meeting
firmly and calmly, but her strength failed her
at the last moment
When, a few minutes later, she opened her
eyes, she found Frank Carleton's arms were
about her, and that he was showeripg kisses on
| her rface.
For moment she felt as if she could die
for very happiness.
Frank, she whispered, ''oh, Frank. can
you forgive me after L have wrongcd you so
deeply ?''
''Hpsh !" he said; "huah, nay darling /! 1
have nothing to forgiyep ~
"She has told me all :" she we1t on-"youf
sister Maud-how You loved her, and how
much you helped her while her miserable,
drunken husband was alive. And, oh, Frank,
l mlsJudged you so cruelty! did not know
she was your sister ~
"Of course you did not, !" he said, tender.
iy. HAS not your mistake. made us miser-
able for five long years? Do not mention it
again; my darliDg" : -
And he stopped her lips with kiss.
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