The Kanzas news., 1858-05-08

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once or twice called upon the family, and
had been treated with the most esnsiderate
Hcordiality. The fact was, I loved Jane al.
most madiy, and somehow could not beal
to have any other man think of her. ,5 :
'.Cards were distributed for the wedding
and one was sent TO Mr.. Benton. But this
gratifed my malice! It seemed cruel tc
invite a man to witness the consummation
of the ruin of his hopes; so was pleased
I doubted whether he would come, but be
was there, so calm and genflemanly that
could not help feeling how mean was in
his presence and this of course did moi
help the matter I was now more offended
with him than ever. I could almost have
quarreled with my wife, even on the we'd
ding night. because she treated him with
such marked attentions. determined, al
any rate, that would cure her of her liking
for him, and was almost maddened TO hear
her express the hope that he would not for
get her when she should become settled In
her new home.
"a few weeks passed away, and he called
at my house-at Day house, And Jane very
'coolly informed me oft. 4 hope you had
pleasant time with the gentleman, said,
drily. saw the fire flash in James eye as
she replied, ,sMr. Benton is alacays pleasant.
There was an emphasis on the word always
that offended me- l will not tell more oi
that foolish scene. Enough. that l was
thoroughly discounted, and came out of il
hating Benton the more, as was more con-
vinced that he was better man than my
self. could not bring myself to command
my wife not to see him, without single
reason, SO took my satisfaction In behav-
ing like bear, and making her miserable
for week.
''Some days had passed away, when one
evening party of merry friends came in,
and James bridal array became the subject
of conversation. A lady of the party ex-
pressed wish to see some article of orna-
ment belonging to the bridal dress. Jane
endeavored to change the conversation.
saw that she was troubled, but I repeated
the lady's request. She replied that the ar
ticle was not at home I inquired of hel
whom she had lent it to. She replied that
she had not lent it; and her lips trembled
and her cheeks burned, as she said it. The
ladies saw that something was wrong, and
Immediately turned attention from the sub
ject. E.
''But l WAS aroused. In my excited and
supicious state of mind I fancied hundred
things, and somehow they were all asso-
ciated with Benton. l determined to ascer-
tain where that article had gone. First, ]
took occasion during my wife's absence from
the house one afternoon, to ascertain that
attire in the house. I knew that the whole
would make formidable package which
she could never, or would never, have car
ried away. Who did carry it? Somebody,
probably. who belonged in the house. !
called the girl, whom you met at the door,
and asked her whether she had carried from
the house lately a package or a bandbox
belonging to Mrs. Kennedy She colored
deeply, and acknowledged that she had. ]
inquired as to where she had carried it
She was very humble, and deprecated my
displeasure. but very positively declined to
tell me. 1 coaxed her, undertook to bribe
her, and then threatened her, but all to no
purpose. Not if it were to cut her in pieces
would she tell nj:
"My suspicious were thoroughly aroused,
and believed, from the bottom of my soul,
that the detestable Benton was somehow
connected with the matter. 1t now became
me to put on smooth and affectionate ex-
terror, for / had secret to fathom. re-
ceived Jane, on her return, with the old
fondness, and we passed an evening full OF
misery to me, but overfowing with happi-
ness for her. Where to begin, in my in
vestigations, could not tell. I was afraid
that the servant would tell Jane of our con-
but, as she thoroughly loved her
mistress, she promised that if l made no
about it, she would not tell her.
81 had no recourse now but to watch.
The next day, instead of going to my Office,
l took cigar in the reading room of the
- hotel. and seating myself by window
that gave me view of my residence, l kept
my eye on the door. I had sat there per-
haps half an hour, when James most inti-
mate lady friend Miss Kate Stephens went
tripping down the street, and entered the
house. A few minutes passed away, when
she and Jane emerged, both were bonneted
and cloaked. slipped out and followed
them. at distance, through half dozen
streets, until at last they turned in at an open
doorway. ] marked the number, and then
went to my Office l was in fever of ex-
element. That was evidently no place for
ladies to call. That door opened into a
stairway. There was no
name on the door.
1.-The next thing for me to ascertain was
the name and character of the persons oc-
cupying the rooms above. / went to my
dinner as usual, and played the careless and
happy to the best of my ability. My wife
was in gay mood, and seemed almost hate
fully charming and brilliant. kissed her,
and bade her a good evening, pleading bust
ness as my excuse for leaving her alone
My steps almost involuntarily took the di-
rection of the morning walk. was NOV
ing briskly along when I discovered ia
miliar figure before me. knew it was
Benton the moment fixed my eye upon it.
I ANONYMOUSLY took his place, keeping safe
and followed him street over street
by the same, same path upon whieh71 had