Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-02-27
5eALOUs LOVER,
or
ACCIDENTALLY OVERHEARD.

| If there ever was created more capri
| cious and vexing beauty than Diantha
Drew, she is yet to be discovered. Watt
Wemyss, who was engaged to her, was
dozen times on the point of breaking off
the engagement, but she could be SO charm
ing when she wanted to that he always
came back and kissed the rod.
One morning after Watt had been driven
almost wild by her caprices he resolved to
force the young lady to name the day at
once or he would leave her forever.
Diantha lived with her Aunt Elinor, and
when he arrived he was shown into the
parlor to wait until Miss Drew was dis
engaged.
He had picked up book and was glanc-
ing over it when the sound of voices arrest
ed his attention. Then his jealousy rose to
fever heat, for he recognized Diantha's
dulcet tones and the other voice was Icha-
bod Bligh's, impassioned and earnest like
q lovers.
Watt had long suspected Ichabod of being
none too good to seek to be his rival; but,
good heavens! had it come to this? Had the
william presumed
But Hark,
"Perhaps there is another? hoarsely quer-
led the voice of Ichabod.
'No, let me assure you there is no 9TH
er," answered hers with earnest
warmth.
"Because," Ichabod furiously thunder
ed, 'ff I thought that sneaking wretch
whose name vile rumor links with yours
b d but the smallest ground for hope,
I'd -Pd"-
SPRAY calm yourself; he is nothing
less than nothing-to me-" Diantha has,
tened to interrupt.
There was something sepulchral In
Ichabods voice when next he spoke.
''My life hangs on the question l am
about to ask! Do not, I entreat you, AN
swer it lightly. Adorable creature, do you
love me?
| The answer came in voice so still aud
small that Watt Wemys's ears, strained as
they we're to catch the slightest sound,
failed to hear it. But the sequel made it
easy to divine the purport.
"Your words have thrilled my soul with
joy" cried Ichabod, in ecstacy. "Come,
darling, let me clasp you to this bosom,
henceforth to be your resting place!"
| Watt could bear to hear no more. His
| first impulse was to rush in and to throttle
| his supplapter with the faithless Diantha
| in his arms; but on ref1eeting that Ichabod
was strapping, brawny fellow, whose
prowess had more than once been proved,
he gave way to his discretion, and made a
rapid advance homeWard.
"No! I'll not let her drive me to despair
aud strychnine," Watt wisely concluded
after an hour'a cool reflection in the quiet
of his chamber. I'll bear it like q man,
aud let her see do"
The next evening was that of Mrs.
Blount's party. EVERYBODY was invited,
Watt Wemyss among the rest. He was to
have been Diantha Drew's escort on the oc-
casiop; but that was out of the question
now. OF course, Ich Blgh would supply
| his place. Still, he wasn't going to stay
away. He would put on a stiff upper lip
and go, if it was only to show Diantha
how little he cared for her detection.
Watt Wemyss's ges-up was something stun
ming; ald there was a noticeable swa ggel
in the air as he strobe up and down Mrs.
Blount's spacious parlors. Just let hiu
see Diantha Drew; that was all! Wouldn't
he freeze her with a stare! He had been
keeping one on ice all day for her.
1t was already late when Diantha made
her appearance. She didn't come with Ich
Bligh, after all, but in company with hel
aunt, and looking anything but cheerful
Possibly she had been crying; at least her
eyes looked red enough.
"And no WONDER" thought Watt We.
myss, if shs has any conscience.
The frigid stare was thrown away on Di
antha, who was swept into the crowd, and
Watt saw her no more till some hours
later.
At last there came lull in the music
and dancing, and word was passed to the
guests that if they would assemble in the
main parlor there was little surprise in
store for them.
When all had found places, q curtain at
the father end was drawn up, revealing a
miniature stage, with appropriate appoint
ments, and lady and gentleman entering
from the wing.
Watts heart, in spite of the discipline be
had it put through, leaped to his mouth as
the two performers turned to face the au
dieDce, and he recognized Diantha Drew
and Ich Bligh. But judge of his surprise
! when he heard them repeat the very dia
logue that had been such gall and worm
wood to him the day before! He saw and
heard but little of the play; for he hung
his head, overwhelmed with confusion,
and felt more like donkey than he had ev-
er done before.
He was too completely abashed to risk
meeting Diantha in the presence of specta
tors, and took advantage of the rush to sup.
per to steal away unobserved.
He made an early call next morning,
though, and made clean brest of how he
had played the spy on Diantha's and Ich's
rehearsal, and, taking it for real, had run
away in a mad fit of jealousy. Then Di-
antha up and told how she had cried hel
eyes red because Watt hadn't como to take
her to the party. Then they both
laughed, and promised never to dis.
trust each other again, and month after
wards they were married.