The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-05-29

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upon him, l approached him. He did not
shrink from my look, but returned it with a
smile that puzzled me. know not what il
was, but there was something in the mild,
pleasant eye Of the man, and in his unruf-
fed and unsuspecting look, that dlsarmed
me. The nearer ! approached him, the
more Disconnected became, but as had
evidently aimed at him in my progress,
felt that could not avoid him; and | deter
mined moreove er that could and would bear
the suspense no longer.
"'Good morning, Mr.. Kennedy said Ben
tom
My voice was startlingly husky to myself,
as returned the salutation.
| "'You are Just too late to see very beau
tiful woman said the man, with just the
slightest tremor in his voice.
My blood took fire at once. sSir,' said !,
fercely, you are scoundrel.'
| "What-can-you- mean sir?' in
quired the man, opening his eyes with won
der.
"'You are damnable villain, sir; that is
what mean-an Internal, smooth tongued
hypocrite. have found you out, and be-
fore part with you, you shall in some way
give me satisfaction
The mans eyes actually filed with tears.
He trembled from head to foot, and
thought he would fall. saw guilt in every
look and movement, and saw that l had
him, and believed that could do what
chose with him.
"Have you room in this building, sir?'
demanded.
"I have.'
"Lead me to it,
There was hesitation in his look, and !
stood irresolute for moment, and then said
if would wait moment, until he had ad-
justed some affairs in his room he would
comply with my demand. This added new
food to my suspicious, and cursed him for
his artfulness. He could not deceive me,
and reiterated my demand that he should
show me the room at once.
81 did not think that up to this time the
shameful nature of my suspicious had really
been apprehended by him. When these
dawned upon him there was fire in his eye,
and quick, painful swelling of his veins
and muscles, which pray God may never
see again. Pain, Indignation and determi-
nation were all there, and felt in IN oment
that had reused nature whose depth and
strength had failed hitherto. to measure
With great self control, however, he said,
Mr.. Kennedy, you are unjust to woman
whose happiness, fear, is dearer to me than
to you. Did feel at liberty to disregard
her peace, would sooner hug dagger to
my heart than yield for moment to your
insolence. Even now, you can only enter
my room on my conditions. Stand herefor
n moment and I will call you,'
"'Tako your own course doggedly re-
piled.
"He passed up the stairs, and l, to avoid
suspicion, looked up at the sky. 1t was one
of those calm winter days that show a hea-
ven as pure and blue as if storm had new
er stained it. had stood hardly ten Sec
onds when Mr.. Benton descended few
steps, and spoke my name. followed him
up the stairs, through dim passage, into a
room chaste in its appointments, but filled
with light as soft and pure as if even the
glorious day without had been refined by
passing through some rare medium. In my
state of mind | could hardly comprehend
the objects before me at a glance. But
knew that was in an artists studio. Ben
ton was silent, but my eye selected at once
the prominent painting in the apartment.
looked, and was struck with tit of shiver'
ing. 1t was the portrait of my brde-my
darling Jane. | was dumb. l could no
have spoken had it been to save my life.
81 have no idea how long had stood thus
when Mr.. Benton approached me, and took
my unresisting hand. 'Mr. Kennedy said
he, with choking sound in his throat, Il
knew of no proper way for mo to contrib
ute to the happiness Of one whom | have
loved Us can never love another, except by
doing pleasure to the man whom she has
honored with her love. | thought it would
be pleasant to you to have portrait Of
your wife as she appeared in her bridal at.
tire. Her friend, Miss Stevens, has been
here with her, and your servant had jus,
passed from sight when you came up, with
the package containing her dress. If have
done wrong, forg i've me; but | thought il
would make you all SO happyn
Gas he closed these words, uttered witt
honest emotion, every one of which wen
like a dagger to my heart, | found strength
to lift my eyes to his. The big tears were
hanging to his eyelids, and his face, in thai
exquisite light, was as beautiful as if it hac
, been the face of an angel. We looked a
one another moment, and then, moved b,
common impulse, threw ourselves into ont
another's arms, and cried, sir-cried like
two babies.
so my God Tom, that was the hardes
thing that ever happened to me. wa'
, killed-killed by magnanimity too grea
for my mean heart to fathom. seized hin
by the arm, at last, led him down stairs, ant
took the way to my own house. You know
my impulses; and you know | would not stol
until | had made clean breast of it.
!, went straight to my house kissed Jane
: dozen times, told the whole story, and mad
, myself ridiculous. Poor Jane! she wa
ashamed of me, and do not think she ha
got over it yet"
, "And Bcnton''-I suggested.
sBenton remained, and drank tea with us
. in accordance with my earnest wishes, ant
sent the picture home the next day; but h
, has not been here since. ! doubt whethe
he will ever come again. The fact is you
, friend Fred Kennedy has never felt so hum
[ BILE as he has since that day, and | hav
wondered how Jane, who knew US both well
could have made the choice she did betweel
u.s."
$50 have - 1 most emphatically re
sponded."
"Well, now am bothered to know wha
to do with Benton. lie is too proud to re
ceivc any favors from me. cannot offe
, him money, cannot offer him anything.
/ tell you what Eve been thinking about, an
YOU shall tell me how it strikes you. Yo
, see what fellow am. | shall tear my
self all to pieces in few years, and hav
brought myself to this. Before die,
will make solemn request to Jane to MARI
Bent~n for a second husband"
At this moment Mrs. Fred Kennedy ap
peared, her cheeks flushed to vermlllion wit
the effect of the cold evening air. did no
wonder at the ennobing influence of such
pure beauty as hers 'supon Benton's sensitiv
i, mind. Fred introduced me, and someho,
we all found ourselves before the portrait a
7 once.
"Fve told Tom all about it," said Fred t.
, his wife.
Mrs. Kennedy gave him a look of wound
, ed reproach, and then said to me in wa
which spoke volumes, "You know Fred"
Fred has become humble man, and bid
fair to put off the day of Mr.. Benton's hap
piness to very indefinite future. Beside
. | b;s fom;lv has haap incroosad to that da0re