The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-07-13
The Jealous Man.
By J. G. HOLLAND, (TIMoTHY TITCoMB.)

Fred Kennedy is my best friend. We
were in college together and deep in one an
others confidence. He studied law and
opened an Office in the city read medicine
and opened an Office III the country. But
Fred got in love and forgot me until about
three months after his marriage, when l re-
ceived a letter from him which troubled me
very much. 1t was full of vague hints of
sorrow and anger and deep despair. He
wanted to see me. lie must see me and tell
me what he could not write 1t was week
before could leave patient dangerously ill
but one fine afternoon, after three nights
of watching threw myself and my carpet
bag into the cars for the city. l slept all the
way, only disturbed by two punches in my
ribs and an equal number in my ticket, and
at eight O'Clock found myself ringing the bell
at the door of Freds pretty residence on
- street.
\ very trim servant girl answered to my
summons. knew by her look 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 O.
pen to me after had laid aside my overcoat.
entered the door but the parlor seemed to
be empty. looked abou: the walls but the
only thing which fastened my attention was
the exquisite portrait Of a beautiful woman
almost enveloped in the misty bridal veil
very marvel of painting through which
shone out the most golden of ringets, and a
face of sweet beauty and rare intelligence
1t seemed strange that the paror should be
without an occupant, and advanced toward
the portrait without noticing that deep ca
sy chair, its back toward me was planted be-
fore it. very soon perceived it was occu-
pied, for an embroidered slipper peered out
from one side, toying with the air as if the
: heart Of the one who wore it were absorbed
in happy contemplation.
, coughed slightly and in ar instant Fred
Kennedy was on his feet and | was in his
arms. never saw him so extravagant in
his demonstrations of delight. He shook my
hand dozen times, slapped my shoulder,
} caught my arm and whirled me around the
room, poked the fire and then laughed as if
] he were insane.
"By George, Tom Conway. am glad to
see you.' said he at last, fairly putting with
the demonstrations he had made.
> 81 had begun to suspect something Of that
kind replied rubbing my shoulder, Il think
YOU must have been cultivating your atfec-
tons lately.'
! "Well, have. What do YOU think of
t that ." and he turned me around, and point
ed to the portrait.
"Exquisite," exclaimed.
Magnificent, isn't it ?"
"Mrs. Kennedy ?"
"Mrs. Fred Kennedy"
> Very pretty. but she's painted"
=, "lIa, ha, ha. ha'
Nov Fred said | seriously, "sit down.
: You are too much excited. 1t will be the
death of you. have come down to see you
professionally. Your letter"
O = the letter ~
q Its clear case of insanitv,"I continued
: IF | am favored with an interview with the
S original Mrs. Kennedy l shal! reprimand he,
: for leaving you alone SO lorg. Your letter
h betrayed the most distressing symptoms.
was afraid that should find you had com
: mitted suicide, out | see there has been re-
v action"
Y l said this in a bantering way. but no
d ticeG that Fred's countenance changed unit
G its expression was one of mingled vexatior
# and pain.
mo more Of that an thou lowest me, Tom,
he replied and then added, latter you have
had supper | will tell you all about it,
a Jane is good creature and has gone te
the sewing circle. Those things bore me
0 and she insists on my staying at home. W.
shall have good hour together before hel
5 return"
d Fred sat almost silent with me in his SNUG
dining room while l did justice to my appe
5 tite and his hospitality then We returned t.
e the parlor, and gave myself up to slippers
# a cigar and Fred's story.
O "When wrote you that letter." said Fred
!, 81 was a fool, but was very miserable
II nevertheless. You see, before was mar
rled, there was young man in the city, of
5. the name of Benton. He loved Jane
IS found it out and l hated him. He was
It quiet fellow, with dark soft eye, and 70
n mantle air, and can't express the contemp
:" felt for him. He seemed to me to be per
l. feet mlk-sop. 1t was before was engaged
l. and l used frequently to meet him with Jan
at her fathers house. saw that he was il
love, head and ears, and what vexed me be
l. yond everything else was that Jane would al
1t ways treat him respectfully. After he ha,
r parted from US on one occasion and she ha,
20 treated him with the usual consideration,
was determined to bring matters to an end
as | proposed before left. and received the as
N surance that was the chosen man.
E. Well, Benton continued to call. do no
re think he knew of the new position of affair.
E. but it made no difference. determined t