The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-04-28

Cards we're distributed for the we'd
ding, and one was sent to Mr.. Benton.
But this gratfed my malice It seemed
cruel to invite a man to witness the con.
summation of the ruin of his hopes ; so |
was pleased ! doubted whether he would
come, but he was there, so calm and gen
tlemanly that could not help feeling how
mean | was in his presence; and this Of
course did not help the matter. was
now more offended With him than ever.
could almost have quarreled with my
wife, even on the wedding night, because
she treated him with such marked atten-
tions. I determined, at any rate, that I
would cure her of her liking for him, and
was almost maddened to hear her express
the hope that he would not forget her
when she should become settled in her
new home.
"a few weeks passed away and he
called at my house--at my house And
Jane very coolly informed me of it. Il
hope you had pleasant time with the
gentleman, | said, drily. | saw the fire
fash in James eye as she replied, Mr..
Benton is altoays pleasant. There was
an emphasis on the word always that Of
Tended mel will not tell more Of that
foolish scene.-Enough that was thor
oughly discounted, and cane out of it
hating Benton the more as was more
convinced that he was better man than
myself I could not bring myself to COM
mand my wife not to see him, without
single reason, go took my satisfaction in
behaving like bear, and making her
miserable for a week.
"Some days had passed away, when
one evening party of merry friends came
in, and James bridal array become the
d. subject Of conversation. A lady of the
party expressed wish to see some article
of ornament belonging to the bridal dress.
Jane endeavored to change the conversa-
ton. / saw that she was troubled, but
I repeated the lady's request. She re-
piled that the article was not at home. l
inquired of her whom she had lent il to-.
She replied that she had not lent it and
her lips tremblsd, and her cheeks burned,
as she said it. The ladies saw that some-
thing was wrong, and immediately turned
attention from the subject.
but I was aroused. In my excited
and suspicious state Of mind, l fancied a
hundred things, and somehow they were
all associated with Benton. determined
to ascertain where that article had gone
First, 1 took occasion during my wife's
absence from the house one aftertoon, te
ascertain that there was not single ar
ticle of her bridal attire in the house.
knew that the whole would make for
midable package which she could never
or would never, have carried away. Whc
did carry it? Somebody, probably, whc
belonged in the house l called the CIR
whom you met at the door, and asked he
whether she had carried from the hous
lately package or bandbox belonging
TO Mrs. Kennedy. She colored deeply
and acknowledged that she had. I in
r ouired as to where she had carried it
She was very humble, and deprecated m.
T displeasure, but very positively deeline'
=. to tell me. l-coaxed her, undertook t
. bribe her, and then threatened her, but al
;, to no purpose. Nor if it were to cut he
:. in pieces would she tell me.
!. My suspicious were thorough
n aroused, and 1 believed from the bottor
a of my soul that the detestible Benton wa
Il somehow connected with the matter.
Il now became me to put on smooth an
o affectionate exterior, for / had secret
! fathom. ! received Jane on her retur
>. with the old fondness, and we passed a
"a evening full of misery to me, but owe
"a flowing with happiness for her. Where
ID begin, in my investigations, I conld NJ
tell was afraid that the servant wouI
!, tell Jane of our conversation but,
sho thoroughly loved her mistress, 81
promised that if l made no difficulty
\ bout it she would not tell her.
e. 81 had no re sourse now but to watc
id The next day, Instead of going to my G
ID fee, took cigar in the reading roo
of the - Hotel, and seating myself
L a window that gave me view of my re
" idenee, kept an eye on the door 1h'
I'd sat there perhaps half an hour, VIII
he James most intimate lady friend Mi
I Kate Stephens) went tripping down t
D. street, and entered the house. A few mi
k. utes passed away, when she and Jane
merged. Both were bonneted and cloak
4, for walk. I slipped out and follow