The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-05-29
CASE OF JEALOUSY.

God help them to win.
ACASE OF JEALOUSY.
Fred. Kennedy is my best friend. We
were in college together, and deep in one
another's confidence. He studied law, and
commenced practice in the city. l read
medicine, and opened an Office in the coun-
try. But Fred got in love and forgot me,
until about three months after his marriage,
when received a letter from him which
troubled me very much. 1t asfull Of vague
hints of sorrow, and anger, and despair.
He wanted to see me. He must see and tell
me what he could not write. 1t was week
before could leave patient dangerously
i'll: but one afternoon, after three nights OF
watching, threw myself and my carpet bag
into the cars, for the city. | slept all the
way, only disturbed by two punches in the
ribs and an equal number in my ticket, and
at eight O'Clock found myself ringing the
bell at the door Of Fred's pretty residence.
on - street.
\ trim servant girl answered to my sum.
mons. | knew by her look that she had
heard of me, and suspected who was. Mr.
Kennedy was at home she said, and was in
the parlor, the door of which she swung
open to me, after had laid aside my over.
coat. entered the door, but the parlol
seemed to be empty. l looked about the
walls, but the only thing which fastened my
attention was the exquisite portrait of Il
beautiful woman, almost enveoped in the
misty bridal vel-a very marvel of painting
through which shone out the most COLDER
ringlets, and face of sweet beauty and rare
intelligence. 1t seemed strange that tht
parlor should be lighted SO brilliantly and bt
without an occupant; and advanced towart
the portrait without noticing that dceI
easy chair, its back toward me, was planted
before it. soon perceived that it was oc
cupied, for an embroidered slipper peepet
out from one side, toying lishtly with tn,
air, as if the heart of the one who wore il
were absorbed in happy contemplation.
Kennedy was on his feet, and | was in hi
arms. never saw him SO extravngant il
his demonstrations of delight. He shool
my hands dozen times, slapped my shoul
ders, caught me by the arm and wLirled IN,
around the room, poked the fire, and thel
laughed us if he were insane.
''By George! Tom Conway, am glad t.
see you," said he at last, fairly putting will
the demonstrations he had made.
81 had begun to suspect something of tina
kind" replied, rubbing my shoulder. s"
think you must have been cultivating YOU
affections lately"
that:' And he turned me aroand, an,
pointed to the portrait.
"Exquisite:'' exclaimed.
"Magmi1ccnt, isn't :"
"MrS. kennedy?'
"Mrs. Fred. Kennedv.'
every pretty, but she painted.'
OLA, ha, ha, ha -
"Now Fred,'' said |, seriously, "sit down
You are too much excited. It will be tn
death of you. have come down to see yo'
professionally. Your letter."
s'The letter!''
"It's clear case of insanity" | contin
ued. ''lf am favored with an interview
with the original Mrs. Kennedy, | shall rep
rmand her for leaving you alone. You
letter betrayed the most distressing symp
toms. was afraid that should find yo,
had committed suicide, but | see there ha
been a reaction.'
said this in 4 bantering way, but | no
ticed that Fred's countenance changed, unit
its expression was one:of mingled vexatiol
and pain.
''No more of that an thou lowest me
Tom," he replied, and then added, "afte
you have had supper | will tell you all abou
it. Jane is good creature, and has gon
to the sewing circle. Those things bore me
and she insisted upon my staying at home
We shall have good hour together befor
her return"
Fred sat almost silent with me, in his snu.
little dining room, when did justice to m
appetite and his hospitality; then we re
turned to the parlor, and gave myself VI
TO slippers, a cigar and Frcd's story.
"When l wrote you that letter." sal,
Fred, 81 was fool !, but was very miserabl
nevertheless. You see, before / was mar
ried, there was young man in the city, O
the name of Benton. He loved Jane;
found it out, and hated him. He was
quiet fellow, with a dark, soft eve, and
romantic air, and | can't express the con
tempt felt for him. He seemed to me t
be perfect milk-sop. 1t was before wa
engaged, and | used frequently to meet hin
with Jane, at her fathers house. saw tha
he was in love head and ears; and what vex
ed me beyond everything else was that Jan
always taeated him respectfully. After b
had parted from US on one occasion, ant
she had treated him with the usual consider
alton. was determined to bring matters t,
an end. proposed before | left, and re
ceived the assurance that | was the chose,
man.
"Well, Benton continued to call. l d.
not think he knew of the new position o
affairs, but it made no difference. | deter
mined to cut him, and did. Imet him il
the street in broad day, and cut him dead
Who should find that very night with Jan
but this contemplate Benton. He had risel
to leave with agony depicted upon ever,
feature Of his face. l saw it all at a glance
he had proposed and been rejected. al
the devil there was in me reioiced. hav
no doubt that | grinned maliciously upol
HIM as he passed out. Icould heartily hav
added kick to thu repulse he had alread,
received. But. Jane was distressed. Sh
was sorry for him She wouldn't have i
happen for the world! She respected Mr.
Benton so much! .-
'Mr. Benton is tooi,' said I. sDon'
waste your precious sym pashies on such
creature as he.'
'Mr. Benton is gentleman replied Jane
and then the poor girl turned pale, the tear
swan in her eyes, and she hid her face il
her handkerchief, and sobbed historically
'sl saw that had been uniust-that
had been mean and cowardlv-that M
words and bearing had been contemptible-
that there WAS not the slishtest nrnnnd 70