The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-07-13

WHOLE NO. 1913.
The next thing for me to ascertain was
the name and character of the persons occu-
pying the rooms above. went to my
dinner as usual and played the careless and
happy to the best of my ability. My wife
was in gay mood and seemed almost hate
fully charming and brilliant. l kissed her
and bade her good evening, pleading busi-
ness as my excuse for leaving her alone. My
steps almost involuntariy took the direction
of the morning walk. Twas moving briskly
along when | discovered familiar figure be-
fore me. knew it was Benton the moment
l fixed my eye upon him. l unconsciously
took his pace, keeping safe distance from
him, and followed him street by street, over
the same path upon which l had followed
my wife. AS We approached the suspected
door, fairly held my breath. My blood
curdled and every hair on my head seemed
to rise up with apprehension. 1 was not
mistaken. He mounted the steps and
turning on his heel, coolly paused to pick his
teeth as ground mine together and passed
by.
l could not bring myself to the humilia-
tion of doubling my wife's truth to me. The
fact that her friend accompanied her certain
ly did not tend TO this conclusion bu: the
consciousness that she still retained warm
respect for Benton, and that she had met
him in an obscure room for any purpose, dis
tracted me. But had prudence enough to
determine to wait for the denouement, and
in the meantime TO maintain as strict sur
veillance Of both parties as was possible
without endansering detection. Three days
passed away, and nothing occurred to prove
that the visit had been repeated. l watched
her sometimes while she sat at her needle
work. and frequently saw peculiar smile up
on her face. On one of these occasions, |
abruptly asked her what she was thinking of,
and though impor,uned her with some de-
gree of severity, could get no satisfactory
reply.
The matter very soon began to wear upon
my spirits. was frightened by my very
haggard aspect whenever looked in a mir
ror. Jane noticed the fact, and became ex-
tremely anxious for me. Her atFectionate at
tentions were more assiduous than ever, and
| was ashamed of my suspicious, for l could
not doub, the genuineness of her solicitous
arprehensons. Still the facts would recur
and | passed many a sleepless night in revol
wing them.
One day, while sitting in my office, my
perplexins thoughts overcame me, and |
penned the letter which you received from
ME. could keep still no longer without
telling some one Of the weight which op.
pressed me. | took the letter to the office
myself and as felt that solitude would on
iy render me more miserable, did not re-
turn, but kept along through the street. In
voluntarily, almost, so directed my steps as
to take the street which contained the secret
that was tormenting me. selected the door
at the distance of block and my hear,
sank within me as | saw gentleman taking
leave of lady upon the steps. They could
have been-thav were-no other than my
wife and the miscreant Benton. There was
no lady with her. could see that they were
laughing merrily.
| had a revolver in my pocket, loaded and
capped, and my hand sought it, and was glued
t" it as approached the spot. But Jane did
not see me, and tripped off in the opposite
direction. Benton remained in the doorway
and with my eye fixed mad!y upon him, ap
preached him. He did not shrink from nv
look, but returned it with smile that puz
zled me. know not what it was, but there
was something in the soft, mild, pleasant eye
of the man. and in his unruffied and ursus
pecting look that disarmed me. The neare,
| approached him, the more disconnected
became, but as | had evidently aimed at him
in my progress, felt that could not avoid
him: and | determined, moreover, that |
could and would bear the suspense no lon.
ger.
Good morning, Mr.. Kennedy" said Mr.
Benton.
My voice was startling:y husky to myself
as returned the salutation.
You are just too late to see beautiful
woman said the man, with just the slightes
tremor in his voice.
My blood took fire at once. "Sir," said
tiercely, ''you are a scoundrel."
n-you-mean-sir ?" inquired
the astonished man, opening his eyes wide
with wonder.
"Iou are damnable villain, sir that i.
just what | mean-an internal, smooth
tonsued hypocri,e. have found you out
and before | part with you you shall in some
way give me satisfaction"
The mans eyes actually filled with tears
lie trembleG from head to foot,an Though
he would fall. l saw guilt in every look and
movement, and saw that had him, and