Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-06-04
DISCHARGED-CURED.

rngets and face of sweet beauty and rare intelligence
1t seemed strange that the parlor should be lighted so
toward the portrait without noticing that deep easy
chair It's back towards me, was occupied, for an en-
brodered slipper peeped out from side, toying light
with the air, if the heart of the one who it
were absorbed in happy contemplation.
coughed slightly, and in an instant Fred. Kennedy
was on his feet, and was in his saw him
50 extravagant in his demonstrations Of delight. He
shook my hand dozen times, slapped my shoulders
caught by the arm, and whrled around the ROOM
poked the fire, and then laughed if he insane.
by George! Tom Conway, am glad to see you"
said he at last, fairly putting with the demonstrations
he had made.
1 had begun to suspect something of that kind,
replied, rubbing my shoulder. 81 think you must have
been cultvating your affections lately.
"Wel, have. What do you think of that ?" And
he turned me around and pointed to the portrait
"Exquiste' | exclaimed.
Magnificent, isn't it,"
" Mrs. Kennedy?'
" Mrs. Fred. Kennedy
"Vely pretty but she's painted"
I" Ha, ha, ha ha ~
"Now Fred, said I, seriously sit down. You are
too much excited 1t will be the death of you have
come down to see you professionally Your letter -"
"The letter.
Its clear case of insanity" continued. "If
am favored with interview with the original Mrs.
Kennedy shall reprimand her for leaving you alone
Your letter betrayed the most distressing symptoms.
afraid that should ind had committed suicide
but see there has been reaction"
said this in a bantering way, but | noticed that
Freds countenance changed, until its expression one
of mingled veXatiOn and pain.
NO more Of that an thou lowest me, Tom' he re-
Piled and then added, after you have had supper, I'll
tell you all about it. Jane good creature, and has
gone to the sewing circle Those things bore me- and
she insisted upon my staying at home We shall have
good hour together before her return
Fred sat almost silent with me- in his snug little d
ming room, when did justice to my appetite and his
hospitality. Then we returned to the parlor, and
gave myself up to slippers, cigar and Freds story.
| when | wrote you that letter." said Fred, was
fool but was very miserable, nevertheless You see,
before married, there young man in the city
of the of Benton. He loved Jane I found it
out and hated him. He quiet fellow, with a
dark. soft eye and romantic air and | can't express
the contempt felt for him. He seemed to me to be
perfect milk-sop. 1t before | was engaged, and
used frequently to meet him with Jane at her fathers
house. | that he in love, head and ears and
what vexed me beyond everything else that Jane
would treat him respectfully After he had parted from
on OCCASION she had treated him with the usual
consideration, determined to bring matters to an
end proposed before let and received the
that [ was the chosen
WELL Benton continued to call. do not think he
knew of the new position of affairs but it made no diff
ference | determined to cut him. and | did, [ met
him in the street in broad day. and cut him dead Who
should find that very night with Jane but this
temptible Benton. He had risen to leave the room,
with agony depicted upon every feature of his face.
saw it all at gance--he had proposed and been re-
ected. All the devil there in reoiced. have
no doubt that | grinned maiciously upon him as he
passed out could heartily have added kick to the
repulse he had already received. But Jane dis
tressed. She was so sorry for him She wouldn't
have had it happen for the world. She respected Mr.
Benton so much
& Mr. Benton is fool,'' said l. " Don't waste your
precious sympathies on such creature as he"
" Mr.. Benton is gentleman" replied Jane-and
then the poor girl turned pale and the tears in
her eyes, and she hid her face in her handkerchief and
sobbed hysterically.
saw that | had been unust-that had been mean
and cowardly-that my words and bearing had been
hateful and contempble-that there not the slight
est ground for my feelings but too proud to
ess it-so approached and kissed her forehead, and
asked her to forget the matter
met Benton in the street frequently after this, and
wicked enough to rejoice in his woebegone appear
| stirred to this partly by the fact that he
had or twice called upon the family, and had been
treated with the most considerate cordiaity The fact
was, loved Jane almost mady, and somehow, could
not bear to have any other man think of her.
cards distributed for the wedding, and one was
sent to Mr.. Benton. But this gratifed my malice! 1t
seemed cruel to invite to witness the cOnsumma-
tion of the ruin of his hopes | pleased! l
doubted whether he would come but he was there,
calm and gentlemanly that could not he feeling how
mean was in his presence and this of course did not
help the matter. ] was more offended with him
than ever | could almost have quarrelled with my
wife, the wedding night because she treated him
with such marked attentions determined at any rate,
that would cure her of her liking for him, and al
most maddened to hear her express the hope that he
would not forget her when she should become settled in
her new home.
" few weeks passed away, and he called at my house
at my house! And Jane very cooly informed me of
it. hope you had pleasant time with the gentleman,
| said drily. | the fire fash in James eyes she
replied, Mr.. Benton is alWaS pleasant There was
an emphasis on the word always that offended me.
will not tell more of that foolish Enough that
was thoroughly discounted, and came out of it hating
Benton more as I was convinced that he better
man than myself. I could not bring myself to command
my wife not to see him, without single reason so
took my satisfaction behaving like BEAR and making
her miserable for a week.
Some days had passed away, when one evening a
party of merry friends in, and James bridal array
become the subject of conversation lady of the par
tv expressed wish to article of ornament be-
longing to the bridal dress Jane endeavored to change
the conversation. [ saw that she was troubled but
repeated the adys request She replied that the article
was not at home inquired of her whom she had lent
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 wrong, and Immediately
turned attention from the subject.
But was aroused In my excited and suspicious
state of mind fanced hundred things and somehow
they were all associated with Benton determined to
ascertain where the article had gone First took oc-
casion during my Wifes absence from the house one a
ternoon, ascertain that there not single article
of her bridal attire in the house knew that the whole
would make formidable package which she could ney.