The Arizona sentinel., 1886-06-05
THE HOUSEKEEPER'S TALE.
The Trouble Brought By a Jealous,
 Black-Eyed Woman.

"Oh, yes, Mrs. Lee, I have lived with them long time; years before Miss Una was born. I was maid to Miss Agnes Lander before she married the squire. 1 was with her when Miss Una was born, and I was with her, poor thing, when she died. An, mel Miss Una was six years old then, and my poor lady made the squire promise to keep me for the child; she knew I'd be a mother to her. When the squire married Miss Beatrice Howe Iknew we should have hard times, for she was a proud piece, just as proud as she was handsome; though I'm sure never saw any beauty in her bold black eyes. She hated Miss Una right away. 1 knew it the minute I saw her. l never could think what made the squire marry her, with her naughty ways and evil black eyes. The way the men came around her nade mo sick and the old squire jealous; it served him right, for he should have known she only married him for his money, but men will be fools where there's pretty face.
 "When Miss Una was sixteen her father died, leaving her the richest heir ess in N. The stepmother got but third of the property, and that only as long as she was single. We'll, marm, I'll never forget the day young Alex Linwood came to the Hall. It seems he knew Mrs. Ainsley when she was Miss Howe. Since her marriage he had hoar tho oOnfivan+ or1 Of when he came home he called to see her, although not knowing her husband was dead. I had been dusting in the par Tor, and was standing behind the cur tain when he came in. You know what a handsome man he is now, and at that time he was no worse-looking. Madame was standing in the center of the room when he came in; when she saw him she gave him little cry, and met him with both hands outstretched, her whole face lit up till she looked really pretty. It was easy to see she loved him, for she took no pains to hide it. He was very much surprised at the 'squire's death, and seemed very sorry. He was not long there when Miss Una rode up to the Hall; she always loved her horse. Dismounting, she went into the parlor, not know ing any one was there. 1 never saw her look so well. Her habit was of dark-green velvet, and fitted her to per lection; her cheeks were rosy from the cold air, and her eyes shone like blue diamonds; the green plume of her hat contrasted well with her golden braids, for you know Miss Una's hair was much lighter then than it is now. I saw the look of admiration on the young mans face when Mrs. Ainsley introduced them, and I also saw look of hatred on madam's face. Alex Lin wood remained to dinner, and after that l heard playing and singing. It was fully ten o'clock before Alex went home.
 ''He came very often after that, and even Mrs. Ainsley saw how much he loved Una; he seemed unable to exist without her, and but a short time pass d before my darling told me they were engaged. One night in summer Alex and Una had been walking in the gar den, and was watching them from the arbor, where 1 sat to catch the cool air. The moon was so bright that I saw the glances of love Alex gave Una. At last he bade her goodnight, holding her so long in his arms, and kiss ing her so often, that I thought he'd never let her go; but he did at last, gazing after her til she was out of sight. He then walked on; the arbor was near the gate, so that he'd have to pass me. He was very near, when all at once Mrs. Ainsley stepped before him. cho 1,.o I hoarsely: Oh, Alex! do you really love that doll-faced girl so muchp She can never love you as do. loved you be- fore my marriage, and when you went away I knew you did not care for me. so married Squire Ainsley. I never was happy, for I still loved you, and when the squire died and you came home, l thought that then you would surely love me. O, Alex! let her go and love me, love mel She then knelt down, and sobbed bitterly. Even felt sorry for her. Alex. Linwood's noble face was very sad, as he said gently:
 Mrs. Ainsley, am very sorry for this; hardly dare think how I should feel if Una did not love me; you say ''let her go." l can not; she is my very life, the only one I ever loved. I l beg you say no more. I pity you from my healt, but I have no love togive.
 He raised her hand to his lips and | passed on without another word. | heard her mutter:
 '''He shall love me; if she were dead he would
 Her words filled me with alarm, and | after that watched her and Una close ly; all l could discover was, that every day my darling grew weaker and paler, until Alex begged her to see doctor, but she always said she did not feel sick. l called Doctor Grey one day when madam was out; he asked Miss Ina A