Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-06-03
world! sherespected Mr.. Benton so

the world! she:respected Mr.. Benton SO
much! - =
Mr.. Benton is fool said +. Don't waste
your precious sympathies on such creature
as he. p
Mr.. Benton is gentleman, replied Jane,
and then the poor girl turned pale, the tears
swan in her eyes, and she, hid her face in
her handkerchief, and 'sobbed Historically.
saw that I had been unjust-that I had
been mean and cowardly-that my words
and bearing had been hateful and contemp-
tible-tbat there was not the slig ghtest ground
for my feelings, but I was too proud to con-
fess it, so approached and kissed her fore.
head, and asked her to forget the matter.
met Benton in the street frequently af-
ter this, and was wicked enough to rcjoiceiu
his woe.begone appearance. was stirred
to this partly by the fact that he had once
or twice called upon the family, and had
been treated with the most considerate cor
diality. The fact was, I loved Jane almost
inadly, and somehow Icould not bear to have
any other man think of her.
Cards we're distributed for the wedding,
and one was sent to Mr.. Benton. But this
gratifed my malice. 1t seemed cruel to in.
vite man to witness the consummation Of
the ruin of his hopes; so Twas pleased l
doubted whether he would come, but he
was there, so calm and gentlemanly that I
could not help feeling how mean 1 was in
his presence, and this, Of course, did not
help the matter. I was now more offended
with him than ever. I could almost have
quarreled with nay wife even on the we'd
ding night, because she treated him with
such marked attentions. I determined at
any rate that / would cure her of her liking
for him, and was almost maddened to hear
her express the hope that he would not for
get her when she should become settled in
her new home. 49,
A few weeks passed away, and be- called
at my house-at my house! And Jane very
coolly Informed me of it. I hope you had
pleasant time with the gentleman, said,
drily. saw the fire fash in James eyes us
she replied, Mr.. Benton is alarays pleasant,
There was an emphasis on the word always
that offended me. I will not tell more of
that foolish scene. Enough, that | was thor.
oughly discomitted, and came out oft hating
Benton the more, as was convinced that
be was better man than myself. I could
not bring myself to command my wife not
to see him, without single reason, 80 |
took my satisfaction in behaving like bear,
and making her miserable for week.
Some days had passed away, when one
evening party of merry friends came in,
aud James bridal array became the subject
of conversation. A lady of the party ex.
pressed wish to see some article of orna-
ment belonging to the bridal dress. Jane
endeavored to change the conversation. 1
saw that she was troubled, but repeated the
lady's request. She replied the article was
not at home. I inquired Of her whom she
had lent it 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 was wrong, andimmediately turned
attention from the subject.
But was aroused. In my excited and
suspicious state of mind, I faucied a hundred
things, and somehow they were all associa-
ted with Benton. determined to ascertain
where that article was gone. First, I took
occasion, during my wife's absence from the
house one afternoon, to ascertain that there
was not single article of her bridal attire
in the house. I knew that the whole would
make formidable package, which she could
never, or would never, have carried away.
Who did carry it? Somebody, probably,
who belonged in the house. I called the
girl whom you met at the door, and asked
whether she carried from the house lately a
package or band.box belonging to Mrs.
Kennedy. She colored deeply, and ac-
kuowledged that che had. 4 inquired as to
where she had carried it. She was very hum
Bile, and deprecatedmy displeasure, but very
positively declined to tell me. 1 ooaxed her,
undertook to bribe her, and threatened her,
but all to DO purpose. Not if it were to cut
her in pieces would she tell me.
My suspicious were thoroughly aroused,
and believed from the bottom of my soul
that the detestable Benton somehow was
connected with the matter. 1t now become
me to put on a smooth and affectionate ex-
terror, for I had secret to fathom. I re-
ceived Jane, on her return, with the old
fondpess, and we passed an evening full Of
misery to me, but overaoWing with happiness
to her. Where to begin investigations, I
could not tell. I was afraid tho servant
would tell Jane of our conversation but,
as she thoroughly loved her mistress, she
promised that if I made no difficulty about
it she would not tell her.
I had no resource now but to watch. The
next day, instead of going to my Office, I
took cigar in the reading room of the
hotel, and seating myself by window that
gave me view of my residence, I kept my
eye on the door. I had sat there per-
haps half an hour, when James most init.
mate lady friend (Miss Kate Stephens went
tripping down the street and entered the
house. A few minutes passed away when
she and Jane emerged; both were bonnetted
and cloaked. I slipped out and followed