Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-07-26
A MOMENT OF TEMPTATION.

"Jetta is a hundred times hanuSOmel
than ever" Frank Ashley remarked
AS he gaze,l, rather thoughtfully, at the
bright creature who was swinging in a
low hammock under the big, old apple
tree. She was IA wild, saUcy little
gypsy when | went away, but she has
changed greatly"
He had not met my younger slstel
before in five years, and the gay child
who had been his pet had grown TO a
tall, stately girl Of seventeen.
Her beauty was beyond description ;
she was like a picture on porcelain, sc
dainty, so dazzling, so perfect.
In most ways, Jetta was more bless
ed than l, who was neither pretty, MOI
clever, nor lowered with riches.
"Jetta has had every opportunity for
improvement l answered Frank
"You ire not yet aware, perhaps, thai
our Uncle Goldbank has adopted and
educated her, and that she is to be hi.
neiress. Her home is with him in the
city ; she is only visiting US for The
summer
Indeed" he commented, in pleas
ed voice; and ever tanciful and
Jealous, wondered if his evident graft
location would mean pain for me.
had loved Frank Ashley always
had loved him when we were children
together had loved him unalterably
during his long absence, and now thai
he had come back to us, a man sobereC
by worldly experience, he was no less
dear to me.
My deep affection for him was my
own secret that | had most carefully
guarded for was not at all sure he
cared for me as he would care for tho
woman whom he would wish to wed.
Yet there were times when tiattereC
myself that the words yearned to heal
were lowering on his lips +; when thu
fire apd tenderness of his eyes thrilled
me with gadness inetiable; when
felt that our syinpathies were 50 com
plete and our hearts so near togethe
that any declaration of love was need
less.
But when Jetta came-my beautiful
merry, bewildering young sister-h'
was with me much less frequently, ant
| began to feel mistaken and uncomfor
table, and resentful of his attentions tt
her.
Jealousy is, no doubt, ga confession
of inferiority," as some one has APPLY de
fined it, and was only too conscious
of Jetta $ superior attractions.
Besides, she would be Il magniticently
lowered bride and | know that Franl
Ashley had very practical apprecia
ton of wealth.
'Pattie, are you really, positively Ell
gagged to Frank" my sister abrupt.
inquired one day.
She had just come in from loni
walk with him she looked pleased an,
clated, and fancied | understood til
contingency that had prompted tn
question.
ole has never asked me to MARI.
him, if that is what you mean,' ] re
piled, ungraciously.
She turned her great eyes toward III
with II curiouSly compaSsl nate expires
sioh, and then, as if hurt and offended
walked away in silent dignity and lei
me to myself.
imagined Icomprehended it all-he
elarion, her eager query, and her glanc
of pity.
She had guessed my secret but she
too, loved him ; and if he We're boun
TO me by no explicit promises, she nee
not refuse him.
| "She meanstO behave conscientious
lv," | thought, with extreme irony
/" But she is not una ware that the dtel
est wrongs are some times those whic
must be endured without complaint.
| My mood was all unamiable and I'M
charitable as possible. More than all
resented the look Of pity with whicl
Jetta had regarded me ; and | rehclle
againSl my destiny, that seemed 50 crue
and unjust.
| Why To my sister had all things dit
sirable been abuniantly given, Will
I must be denied the one sweet thing
coveted?
My bitterness did not lessen as tn
days went by | brooded over my hum
bier lot and magnitied my imagine'
wrongs, until my sulleh countenanc
and morOse manner must have been
disagreeably noticeable.
Then pleaded indispoSiiion, an
shut myself up in my room until fret
ted m yself really i'll, until my whit
face and wild ayes frightened me, an
| began to wonder if | should die, o
if were going mad.
One evening, when my SecluSion ha
become intolerable, stole out of tn
house, through the fragrant garden
and into the shadowy orchard be
You'd.
The sun had gone down, and til
sky was cloudless eXpanse of pin
and amber the air was like balm
somewhere a nightingale was singing
and all around me was silence, an
Sweetness, and rest,
| flung myself down on the long
soft grass, and for time sat meditat
ing when presently was aroused b.
the fresh, young voice Of my beautifi
sister.
Jetta was coming from the little WOO
Beyond the orchard her jeweled hand
were full of the flowers and ferns sh
had gathered and her pretty dog
Ponto, tjingle'l his silver bells besid
her.
| She was coming homeward, singin
Through " the dark and the dew" he
| DlB llat hanging vi Hei diH hei VIII
dress cleaning, her black hair tossing
lin couuettish curls all about her hal
py face. .....
As gazed at her so joyous, SO care
Hess, 50 well-be-loved, II bitter, jealou
hate stirred in my heart.
She had everything that makes lif'
worth the living, and yet, had she no
robbed me of the onl y treasure cared T.
posses ?
:. She was coming down a narrow path
rarely used, that let through u break /
the hedge, directly over an old, covere
well.
| And suddenly started to my feet
mindful that workmen, that very aitei
noon, had taken away he broad Tag
stone that had ovcrspread the moutf
of the chasm and | knew that tn
decayed plankS on which the ston
!. had lain were frail as Il firm OF COZ
webs.
If Jetta, unaware Of the alteration
should attempt the treacherous passage
= s.~A- 1,