Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-05-10
A LITTLE JEALOUS.

Ten o'clock-he will not come
tonight "
Bertha Weaver leaned her head
back against the cushions of the
sofa. Her lips quiyered, her eyes
we're humid, for Larcelot Wynne'
who had paid her the most devoted
attention, had failed to keep his
appointment.
She rose presently, and pushing
aside the heavy curtains, looked
sadly out, through gathering tears,
INTO the rainy darkness of the WIN
ter's Dight.
Just opposite a gas lamp threw
long path of Pickering brightness
upon the pavement, casting dark
shadows into the gloomy archway
beyond, which led into a covered
court communicating with a ruin
GUS pile of buildings.
1t was not a cheerful outlook,
aud Bertha's heart sank within her.
She was a pretty, sunny-temper'
ed girl-one Of those fair, confding
creatures, who seemed to be born
to be loved and petted.
Suddenly, as she stood looking
out into the stormy night, an ex-
clamatlon escaped her lips.
"Can it be possible p she muir
INJURED, bending forward eagerly.
"Yes, it is Lancelot !"
The keen glance of love IS seldom
deceived. 1t was Lancelot Nynne
who stood beneath the ruined arch
way, talking. with passionate earn
estness 10 a woman on whose face
the full briIliance of the lamphght
streamed.
1t was a wondrouSly lovely face
"a face delicate as an artists
dream of ideal beauty.
The woman clung with both
hands to Lancelot's arm, and
seemed literally to hang upon the
words he spoke-and a look of
confding earnestness which her
features bore seemed to turn the
blood in Bertha's veins to ice.
InyoluntariIy she shrank from
the window, covering her eyes
with her hands as if to shut out all
sense of vision from those aching
Orbs.
"False Lancelot Wynne
false :" she whispered. 81 could
sooner have believed that an arch
angel would sully his pure wings.
Oh, this dull pain at my heart -
When will it cease -
Once more, with irresOlute,
trembling fingers, she drew back
tine curtain 4; but her eyes fell only
on plasbing ruin and muddy road
way. Lancelot and his beautiful
companion had disappeared.
sob - she thought, why could
fear have grudsed me the little
CLEAN OF sunshine which gladdenet
my whole life ? Heaven knows il
has been dark enough My father
aud mother died before l knew
them. had no sister and i
was two years ago since my brothel
Jack was forced to fly from his ma
tive land. Uncle Joseph is very
kind to NE but-but he does no
supply the place of my dear par
ents ard Just when was be
ginning 20 love LancelOt so yer!
very dearly"
She broke down In a storm 0
bysteric sobs and tears.
She as seated at the piano OF
the day following, when the ser
want al nounced.
"Mr. Wynne.7
"My darling little Bertha (" b
exclaimed, taking her cold han'
fondly IN his, and sealing hlmsel
beside her.
She withdrew her hand quietly
as she said
"YOu did not come last night
Lancelot, as you promised"
"NO.0
Was it her fancy, or did be seen
strangely disturbed by her words
~ bad an unavoidable engage
mept,7 be added, (which occupies
the whole evening"
'Gt must have been very import
ant r'she said bitterly.
He met her searching gaze wit
bright, frank eyes-eyes who's
truthful light dispelled every mis-
of doubt.
"Bertha, my love, my Own deal
aaf oonnot von truRt me ~ b