Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-06-03
Jntnesting Storg.
a CASE Of JEALOUSY.
DISCHARGED-cURED.

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; /
read medicine, and opened an Office in
the country. But Fred got in love and
forgot Inc, until about three months after
his marriage, when | received a letter
from him which troubled me verR much.
1t was full of vague hints of sorrow, and
anger, and despair. He wanted to see
me. He must see me and tell me what he
could not write. 1t was a week before |
could leave a patient dangerously i'll; but
one afternoon, after three nights Of watch
ing, | threw myself and my carpet bag
into the cars for the city. | slept all tNe
way, only disturbed by two punches in
the ribs and an equal number in my tick.
ct, and at 8 o'clock found myself ringing
the bell at Fred's pretty residence on -
street.
A trim servant girl answered to my
summons. | knew by her looks 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 ~overceat. | entered the door.
but the parlor seemed to be empty. |
looked about the walls, but the only thing
which fastened my attention was the ex-
| quisite portrait OF a beautiful woman, al
most enveloped in the misty bridal veil
a very marvel Of painting-through which,
shone out the most golden ringlets, aha
face of sweet beauty and rare intelligence.
1t seemed strange that the parlor should
be lighted SO brilliantly, and be without
an occupant; and advanced towards the
portrait without noticing that o deep
easy chair. its back..towards me was plan
ted before it. | soon perceived that it
was occupied, for an embroidered slipper
peeped out from one side, toying lightly
with the air, as if the heart of the one
who wore it were absorbed in happy con,
temptation.
| ~coughed slightly. and in an instant
Fred Kennedy was Oh his feet, and | was
in his arms. | never saw him so extrav
agant in his demonstrations of delight
He shook my hand a dozen times, slapped
my shoulders, caught me by the arm and
whirled me around the room, poked the
fire, and then laughed as if he were in.
| sane.
"By Georgel Tom Conway, | am glad
to see you" said he, at last, fairly putting
with the demonstrations he had e,ade.
II had begun to suspect something of
the kind" | replied, rubbing my shout
der. 81 think you must have been cult
waiting your affections lately"
Well, | have. What do you think of
that?" and he turned me around, and poin-
ted to the portrait.
"Exquiste!" / exclaimed. \
Magnificent, isn't it?' <
MRS. Kennedy"
Mrs. Fred Kennedy"
Very pretty, but she painted"
"Ha, ha, ha, hall
Nov, Fred said l seriously. sit
down. You are too much excited; it will
be the death of you. I have come to see
you professionally. Your letter
THE ~letter!i'
Its a clear case Of insanity | con-
tinued. If am favored with an inter
view with the original Mrs. Kennedy, /
shall reprimand her for you alone. Your
letter betrayed the most alarming symp
toms. | was afraid that | should find you
you had committed suicide, but | see that
there has been a reaction"
| said this in a bantering way. but
noticed that Fred's countenance changed,
until its expression was one of mingled
vexation."
mo more of that an thou lowest me,
Tom" he replied, and then added, :. After
you have had supper, | will tell you all
about it. Jane is a good creature. and
has gone to the sewing circle. These
things bore me. and she insisted upon my
staying at home. We shall have a good
hour together before her return"
Fred sat down almost silent with me,
in his snug little dining room, when | did
justice to my appetite and to his hospital
ity; then we returned to the parlor, and
| gave myself up to slippers, a segar and
Fred's story.
/" When | wrote you that letter" said
Fred, Il was a fool, but / was very mis-
cradle, nevertheless. You see before
was married, there was a young man il
the city of the name Of Benton. He lev.
gu Jaue, 4 louAu ~ out, 0Hu u1tou uiiu
He was a quiet fellow, with a dark soft
eye, and a romantic air, and | can't ex
press the contempt | felt for him. HI
seemed to be a perfect milk-sop. 1t was
before | was engaged, and used frequent
ly to meet him with Jane, at her fatlier'i
house. | saw that he was in love heaC
and ears; and what yexed me beyond eve
ry thing else was, that Jane would always
treat him respectfully. After he had par
ted from US on one occasion, and she hat
treated him with the usual consideration
| was determined to bring matters to al