The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-05-06

as 10 take the street which contain
the secret that was tormenting me.
selected the door at the distance o.
block; and my heart sank within me
| saw gentleman taking leave OF
lady upon the steps. They could ha
been-theyl were-no other than n
wife and the miserable Benton. The
was no lady with her. / could see tn
they were laughing merrily. iai
t--I had . rnl-nl..n.a- .a-;.a--..A-.-+-aalxet loo
ed and capped, and my hand so1gs.
and was glued to it as | approached Il
spot. But Jane did not see me, an
tripped off in the opposite directio
Benton remained in the doorway, al
with an eye fixed madly upon him,
approached him. He did not shrir
from my look, but returned it witLy-
smile that puzzled me. l know :,
what it was, but there was someth.oo Q Q
in the mild, pleasant eye of the ma
and in his unruffled and unsuspectif
look, that disarmed me. The nearer.
approached him, the more disconcert
L became, but as / had evidently aimS
at him In my progress, l felt that :
could not avoid him; and determine
moreover that | could and would bea
the suspense no longer.
Good morning, Mr.. Kennedy sal
Benton.
My voice was startlingly hlsky,o
myself, as | returned the salutaion.
: You are just too late to see a ery
beautiful woman,' said the pan, With
just the slightest tremor in his voice.
My blood took fire at once. Sir,
said !, fiercely, you are scondrel.'
What-can-you-mean-r? in
quired the man, opening his ees with
wonder.
You are damnable v5ain, sir ;
thatis what / mean-an inferral, smooth
tongued hypocrite. 1 have found you
out, and before l part with you, you
shall in some way give me satisfaction.
The mans eyes actually filed with
tears. lie trembled fromhead to foot
and | thought he would fall. / saw
guilt in every look and movement, and
| saw that | had him, and believed that
| could do what | chose with him.
Have you room in this building
sS% demanded.
2haYe.'
There 7w>s hesitaticff IN his look, anc
| repeated Ir, demand with an oath
tie stood ifres6ste for moment, ant
then said if would wait moment
until he had adjusted some, affairs il
his room ne would comply with my de
mand. This added new food to m,
suspicious, and / cursed him for hi
artfulness. lie could not deceive me
and ] reiterated my demand thai h,
should show me the room at once.
Idid not think that up to this time
the shameful nature of nv suspicion.
had really been apprehended by him
When these dawned upon him, ther,
was fire in his eye, and a quick, pain
fill swelling of his veins and muscles
which pray God l may never Sc,
again. Pain, indignation, and deter
mination were all there, and l felt in
moment that / had roitSed a nature
whose depth and strength Ihad faile6
hitherto to measure. With great self
control, however, he said, 'Mr. Kenned,
you are unjust to a woman whose hap
piness fear, is dearer TO Inc than t.
vod. Did feel at liberty to disregard
her peace, would sooner hue dagger
to my heart than yield for a momeut t1
your insolanen. Even now, yon-ossr
only enter my room on nay conditions
Stand here for moment and | will cal
YOU
Take your own course / doggedly
replied.
He passed up the stairs, and /, t.
avoid suspicion, looked up at the sky
1t was one of those calm winter day'
that show a heaven as pure and blue a
if storm had never stained it. l hat
stood hardly ten seconds when Mr.
Benton descended a few steps, ant
spoke my name. / followed him III
the stairs, through a dim passage, int
a room chaste IN its appointments, bu
filed with a light as soft and pure as
even the glorious day without had bee
refined by passing through some rar
medium. In my state of mind / coul
hardly comprehend the objects befor
me at glance. Butt knew that Iva
in an artists studio. Benton was silent
but my eye selected at once the prom
inent painting in the apartment.
looked, and was struck with fit {
shivering. 1t was the portrait of IN
bride-lny darling Jane.Iwas dumt
/ could not have spoken had it been t
save my life.
/ have no idea how long / had stoo
thus. when Mr.. Benton approached me
end took my unresisting hand. = Nh
Kennedy said he,with choking SCUM
in his throat, knew ofno proper wa
for me to contribute to the happiness c
one whom i have loved as | can neve
love another, except oy doing a pleas
ure to the man whom she has honore
with her love. / thought it would b
pleasant to you to have a portrait {
your wife as she appeared in her brid;
attire, and at my solicitation she ha
been here number of times to sit ft
her picture. Her friend, Miss Steven
has been here with her, and your SER
ant had just passed from sight whe
you came up, with the package contain
ing her dress. fl have done wron!
forgive me; but / thought it woul
make you al so happyp
AS he closed these words, uttere