St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-13
JEALOUS.


meadow and woodland, and threw around
the fine old mansion of the Berkeley family,
near the 'Hawke's Nest"-that grand pillar
of rock 1000 feet high-a weird grandeur,
the young and naughty mistress paced up
and down her apartment with hurried, anx-
ious and restless step.
A strange light shone in her eyes. Her
cheeks were hot and flushed almost to cherry
redness.
ct drives me madp' she said, stamping
the floor with rage. 81 fear am going mad
and to think that should be devoured by
jealousy, and all caused by one who was
born to black my boots-who would never
have been anything better than a seryan
were it not for my kindness and condescen-
sion |"
''The torture is too great to be borne" she
continued, burying her face in her hands
''My humiliation is complete. If Leonard
really loves her, then death would be sweet
to me, as life in such circumstances can give
me nothing but Bitterness
| Convulsive sobs burst upon her in a tor
rent They shook her frame, and for once
this proud-spirited woman gave her embit-
tered feelings full vent.
The crimson velvet curtain which screened
the open window was. gently drawn aside
while yet Lucy Berkeley recited her anguish
and her fears.
A strange man, who had heard all she said,
entered the room from the balcony and stood
uncovered before her. Dwarfed in stature,
with long, hairy, powerful arms and mis-
shapen body, he gaZed upon the lady with a
look of miserable vacancy. This was a harm
less idiot who had grown up among the SER
wants of the establishment. and was allowed
to roam about the house with almost unlim-
tied freedom. He had been discovered in
Miss Berkley's garden when only a couple OF
years DID, and had well nigh persisted of cold
AM hunger.
Naturally charitable, Lucy Berkeley took
compassion on the hapless unfortunate, and
gave orders that he should be brought up by
the gardeners wife.
No one ever claimed the boy. Nor was
the slightest clue ever obtained as to who he
was, or where he came from:
He was only pauper whom nobody owned.
AS he grew up, Rufus-for such he was
called by accident-it became very apparent,
was the merest idiot. He could be taught nc
letters, yet he made himself useful in more
ways than one in the house and garden.
Of one sentiment only did he seem cap
able, and that was to idolize Lucy Berkeley.
To her he devoted himself entirely, as the
dog does to his master. A kind word from
her would send him into fits of glee fol-
hours. He had not intelligence enough to
anticipate her wishes, but it gave him posi-
| tive delight to execute her orders.
This devotion touched the heart of the SEN
sitive Miss Berkeley, the more that she was
often disguised with the mercenary objects
| and motives of her dependents.
His appearance, however, created now q
sudden feeling of surprise. Hatred, rage
and grief were upon his face, Enthusiastically,
but most curiously expressed.
Rufus stood silently before her for mo-
ment, not daring to approach until she spoke.
''What is the matter, Rufus? wish to be
alone" she said.
For all answer he approached her and
Kissed, rather than spoke
''Come! See! She is with him!'' And
the idiot boy pointed to the open window and
drew aside the curtain so that Miss Berkeley
might pass through to the balcony. The
words of the simpleton aroused her curiosity.
She cast searching glance over the gardens
which surrounded the house, and in mo-
| ment the object of his hate became apparent.
The clear moonlight showed her two figures
walking arm in arm through distant ave-
nue. shaded by fine old elm trees.
One was Clara Martin, Miss Berkley's COM
panion the other-alas her own affianced
lover, Leonard Dacre.
The idiot watched the anguish depicted on
his mistress face, and then, clenching his
hand ana pointing in the direction which the
pair were taking, he cried:
81 hate her! She is badl She makes you
weepr'
Miss Berkeley did not answer, but her gaze
remained fixed on the faithess pair who were
coquetting in the garden. They seemed alb
sorbed in each other, and were engaged in
earnest conversation.
''You would be happy if she were far away
where he could never see her again ~ Kissed
Rufus.
eyes, if it were possible said Miss Berk-
ley, half to herself. Then in a louder tone
''But if he loves her he would follow her to
the end of the earth. How false and treach-
erous he is! Does he think my pride can
brook this ~
Then turning to the idiot she said in tone
of command, waving him off with her hand
''Leave me now, Rufus, and see that.n
one comes near me again this evening""
The flames o. dark, burning jealousy were
famed into blaze within the disappointed
woman's heart and she wrthed in torture
and tears for some hours upon the couch in
her boudoir.
The next morning, as the gardener of the
Berkeley family made his usual rounds in the
gardens and plantations, he saw lying upon
a grassy bank the lifeless form of Clara Mar
tin
How came it there!
IT was the last day of a celebrated trial in
Richmond, and crowds focked TO hear the
decision which might condemn the heiress of
one OF the proudest families TO dark, dreary,
lifelong Imprisonment, perhaps to death.
Few dared to hope that her innocence would
be proved, for crcum stantial evidence Of the
strongest character pointed to Lucy Berkeley