Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1839-07-06
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From the New York Herald.
THE JEALOUS WIFE-A
SKETCH.

THE JEALOUS WIFE-A
SKETCH.
---" TRIES light as air,
Are, to the jealous, confirmation strong
AS proofs Of Holy Writ.n
Arthur W. had been married two years
to Jane BE- the belle Of W-Place.
He was young, rich, handsome, accom-
plished, and, IN fact, all that woman could
desire. Jane b. was the only child Of
doating widowed father wealthy naughty,
and as proud as Lucifer, and one of his
greatest boasts was, that no stain Of dis
honor had ever yet blottcd his escutcheon.s
When Arthur w. sought his daughters.
hand, his consent was fully giyen--for bis
character was above rcpfoach, aud his
standing unexceplionable.
We'll, they had been married at the time
my tale commences two years, and had
cause to wish for nothing but an heir, with
which Providence had not seen fit to bless
them,- that exception, they were
as their hearts could desire.
One dark stormy night in September
last, Arthur was out upon some urgent
business, when his wife, who was Just
preparing to retire Qhe servants having all
preceded her,) was startled by a violent
rapping at the door OF their house in v
- street. Thinking il might be Arthur
who had, perhaps. forgotten his night key,
she ran down stairs, and opened the door,
bnt saw no person. On looking around,
she perceived something on the stoop
which she picked up, and retiring, closed
the door. 1t was basket, neatly tied
down, and 10 the handle was fastened o
note, addressed in delicate female hand
TO Arthur w. She ran up to her room,
and laying her buriben upon the table, ex.
ahmed the note more closely. 1t was
1 certainly addressed in female hand, and
she handled il with all possible dcxtcrily,
trying to peep into the contents. All she
! could make, cut were The words "deluded''
--"pledged"--a belovcd.n
What could this mean? She trerBbIcd
in every limb, but not with curiosity--shc
trembled at her own imaglnings; and for
the first time since she first saw Arthur
w. q pang Of jealousy shot across her
mind. While deeply engrossed with these
feelings & thoughts, "a faint cry as ola child,
made her start from her rcverie, and gaze
about the room in terror. What could II
be? Where did il come FROM II was
repeated more distinctly; it was a child's
wall, and it proceeded from the basket
before her.
II was the work Of an instant 10 tear off
the fastening Of The basket, and as she ga
zcd within, she sank back in spcechless
horror-for there, with its innocent face
upturned, lay smiling cherub of some
few months growth. Without hazarding
another look, she tore open the note attach-
ed to the basket, and with feelings Of in
disnation too strong TO be here expressed,
she read as follows
Beloved Arlhur--for you are sill first
in my heart--your, ruined, lost Louise
sends this pledge Of our love and Of my
shame to you; treatitbetier than you have
your
DEVOTED LOUISE. y
Horror, anger, vengeance, and jealousy
were the feelings that tore the hitherto
peaceful bosom Of Jane. She seated her
self mechanically. She could not sleep
but with the note in her hand. She gazed
upon the basket with stare. How long
thus occupied, know not; but she was
aroused by feeling an arm around her
neck, from the touch Of which she started
as if a viper were there.
"Why Jane, what is the matter with
yonf"-said Arthur; for it was he who
4 bad stealthily entered intending to surprise
her. s
She stood from him one or two races,
and after gazing at him for full minute,
with look that struck him dumb with
horror, so wild, so unearihly was il, she
slowly raised her hand to his face and her
form swelling with every conceivable
emotion, she said ia a voice that went 10
bis very heart, /" Villain --lying, perured
villain.n And now the woman rose with.
10 her, superior to all, and, assuming a
calmness which was perfectly terrible, she
added, Read that"
He took the note, hastily perused it and
looked into The basket; but be saw nothing
there 10 cause such dreadful feelings in
him; as he had seen exhibited by his wife.
s Why Jane? surely is it this that has
disturbed youe Do you moi know me too
well to believe, for an instant, that this is
aught but contemplate trick to foist this
brat upon met"
:" Oh, very well, sir, SO belt; l shall not
handy words with you. Thought knew
you; but how have | been deceived! Ii
is very extraordinarily good trick--very