Smyrna times., 1893-08-23
cello CLIFTON'S CRIME.
BY BITTERsWEET.

DA bllIERSWE EEL
had an occasion, some weeks ago
to visit an insane asylum. While stroll
ling through the grounds with the
head physician and his wife, my atten.
ton was attracted by singularly beau.
tIful woman who stood apart from the
other patients then out for their dailv
airing. Her face was turned from us
but l marked the graceful curves in
her tall figure, the shapely head with
Its cOfonal of silver hair, and instinc-
lively knew she must have been, at no
far distant period in her life, more than
ordinarily lovely.
You are noticing Miss Clifton" +" said
DR.. Hudson. "Ah, hers is a tragic
story ~
We had drawn near as be spoke. and
she now turned and looked at us. Her
face was of waxen pallor, in contrast
with which the great black eyes, with
their expression of dull apathy, seemed
almost unearthly. Her hands were
clasped upon her breast. She seemed
like beautiful image in Parian mar.
BILE.
Speak to her," whispered the Doc
tor.
Good afternoon, Miss Clifton" I
said, holding out my hand with a smile
The unearthly eyes were fixed on
mine in long, strange glance; then
the pale lips moved.
my blood is upon your soul 7"
Every word was distinct, though not
mustle of the statuesque features
quivered. l invOluntarily recoiled.
"She always answers thus" said the
Doctor. "She never says anything
else"
"Tell me her story" 1 entreated. as
we walked back toward the asylum.
"You said it was tragic one."
Tragic, indeed A sadder fate than
that Of Cello Clifton can hardly be ex-
perienced. 1t fOrcibly illustrates the
fatal consequences to which jealousy
and a passionate temper often lead. I
will relate the story if you care to lis
ten. You will not find it lacking in
interest"
He led the way toward some rustic
benches beneath the trees, and. when
we were comfortably seated, began as
follows:
Six years ago, Cello Clifton was the
acknowledged belle of Ashland. She
counted her lovers by the score. but
her heart was cold to them all. Her
affections were centred on her twin
brother, Claude, who was like her in
appearance. He possessed the same
bright hair, the same wonderful dark
eyes and perfect features, but here all
resemblance ceased, Cello was wayward
and passionate, inheriting the fatal
temper OF her father, who had lain in
his grave for years. Claude had all his
mothers sweetness of disposition and
gentleness of mind and manner. Mrs.
Clifton was one of earth's angels. The
rich loved her; the poor worshipped
her. She was the friend of old and
young, high and low.
"The devotion of Claude and Cello
Clifton to each other was the wonder
of the city. They were inseparable.
and friends prophesied that neither
would ever marry; therefore it was a
shock to the social circles of Ashland
when Claude, after months absence.
returned from the East, bringing with
him dark-haired little bride with a
sweet voice, and eyes like brown vel
vet. She had been the companion of a
fashionable woman who made her life
a burden. Claude had fallen in love
with the shy girl at first sight, and
married her within three weeks. as.
suring her a warm welcome from his
mother and sister.
Mrs. Clifton received her sens wife
with open arms, and loved her from
the first; but Cello, after frigid greet.
ing, shut herself into her own room
and wept tears of rage and jealousy.
She had stood first in her brothers. af.
fectiOns, and could not endure tho
thought Of being supplanted. She al
ready hated her sister-in-law, and un.
reasoning hatred every day became
more vindictive. She secluded b erself
from society. and nursed her resent
ment in secret until it developed into
almost frnzy; and all the time Lola,
Claude's wife, was striving to win Celo's
love, while Mrs. Clifton looked on with
sorrowful eyes"
only six months had passed after
Claude had brought home his bride,
when, on a sunny day in golden June
while flowers were blooming and birds
singing blithely in the groves and or
chards, a solemn cortege passed
through the gates of Clifton House.
bearing the lifeless form of the young
husband. He bad been thrown from
his horse, striking his head against a
sharp stone as he fell, and death had
been instantaneous.
"Reverently they bore him into the
beautiful home, WHENCE he would soon
be carried for the last time. and laid
him gently upon the velvet carpet in
the drawinQ.room. Mrs. Gillian ,yith