Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-08-25
NEW SERIES, VOL. g. 2, NO. as.
TALES & SKETCHES.
NV JEALOUSY.

81 just wish you'd tell meP' said Minnie,
with the least perccptible pout on her lip.
Now Minnie was ronndloheeked, rosy
little moid with big blue eyes, fripged all
round with brown lashes, and a coy dimple
that sometimes came out on her cheek, and
sometimes on her chin, but always
where you least expected it. And more
ovcr,I have no objection to impart to tho
reader, in strict confidence, of course, that
she was my Minnie--mine, by the virtue OF
the diamond engagement ring that sparkied
so knowingly on her plump little LETT hand.
So of course had the privilege of tantali-
zing her, and used it, too. g 1aJ .alr 'ei
T'Woman's curiosity |" said l, with shrug
of my shoulders, land feminine jealousy" {.
1t.Nonsense I" said Minnie, coloriug up. II
suppose men are neither curious, or jealous
either ~ <'g 9ai Ti.l no 9ssg uNuR l1
"Neyer |" quoth /, with a smile of calm
superiority. aa. yl135,.aY a.I
"Then you won't tell me, Clarence2na
81 think, ma chere, your curiosity-and
the other emotion-necd little discipline"
Now why on earth wanted to be so pro-
voking, can't tell the natural perYersity
of man, most probably. for there was no
other reason that | should not have told
Minnie Rivers just why was obliged to 60
home early that evening simply Masonic
meeting, and nothing more important But
/ wanted to tease Minnie; and SO with
drew into veil of inpenetrable mystery.
She did not say word, but turned quiet
ly away, and went up stairs for the little
boquet of heliotrope and geranium leaves
that she generally fastened into my button
hole before went away. Aud in the very
instant that she closed the door, saw the
downward flutter of little white slip of
paper from her dress. t.r f- rT
Instinctively l stopped to pick it up and
as l stopped, could not avoid reading the
characters inscribed thereon in a clear, mas
culine chirography: ra..t -ref-
"5, 11.-At Mason and Dobel's. No dis
appointment this time. Z. NJ"
1 felt the crimson flush mounting to my
temples in burning current, as read and
re-read the mysterious words, "E. NJ"
Didn't remember that Everard Mason was
Minnies second cousin, and q provokingly
handsome fellow at that2 Had forgotten
that people used to think what pretty
couple" they would make beforeI stepped
on to the tdpis? "E NJ" indeed And
cleuched my fist involuntarily, as crumpled
the paper inside its grasp. ,li gJ st4stea-
'What are you looking for llinnie9" ID,
She stood with one hand resting lightly on
the door knob, glancing uneasily round the
floor, while there was guilty flush on her
cheek r.sr'J -t.t . ..ii
'l-that is-have you seen little slip of
paper lying about ~ e .-.
: "No!n .g .. .......
/ uttered the falsehood with deliberate
calmness, even while the tell-tale billet lay
ih my hand. So-she was anxious about it.,
ch ? She didn't like the idea that | should
have an insight into her little arrangements
with "E. NJ" All false and fair--all wo-
men were alike.
sit must have been something very i'm
portant," remarked, malcously, MS she
hurriedy turned over the books on the ta-
bic, still searching for the missing treasure.
81 suppose | have left 1t upstairs" she
said, artfully evading a direct answ rr. "You
are not going, Clarence p 80.
II am going" an1"'.-a g.Ha.
"Good-night.' t.a .." . ...-f
held her hand moment in mine; but
| did not kiss her as usual-the iron had
entered far too deeply into my soul for that!
Not until was safe IN my own room did
| open and re examine the odious little bit
of paper.
"5, 11."-Of course the whole thing was
as plain as daylight. To-day was the fourth
of the month-it was simply an appoint
ment for the morrow, at eleven o'clock.
ground my teeth as the truth flashed across
my BRAIN. mo disappointment this time!
would have liked to challenge Everard
Mason to mortal combat on the instant,
were it not that duellos were entirely out OF
fashion. What business had he to lay down
the law to my Minne2 But there was one
comfort-Jack Dobell was my old friend
he woaldn't see me wronged, if he could
| help it, and promptly resolved to appeal
| to Jack for aid and justice. rri .rs r..-
glanced at my watch. Nine o'clock
too late for the Masonic meeting, and GER
tainly too late to seek MIR. Dobell, who was
at his country house long before this. And
| so lighted the gas and sat down to chew
| the cud of my own bitter meditations. The
more meditated on my injuries, the more
furious became, until, as the clock chimed
midnight, took my final resolve.
| 81 will not be made a fool OIL will cas-
her off, as unworthy of my love; but frs
| | will possess myself of clue to this mys
terry and accuse her boldly to her face" 4,
So went to bed to dream ftfuly al
night long of monster sheets of phospho
resent paper with "E. NJ" dancing scarlc
fire all over their expanse.
SIS Mr.. Dobell in2p -l-I
Yes, Mr.. Dobell was in, and one of tn
clerks respectfully ushered me into the littl
private office where my friend Jack was sit
ting over volumInous pile of papers.
Clearance Page Sit down, old fellow
| What good wind blows you herel"
+ lie drew out big leather covered easy
chair, with hospitable welcome, but | dc
clined il. -,.--rs.fj3l. .'fes feg-.
"Dobell, l want you to do me great ia
vor--will you 2"
"Certainly-ifI can"
A looked up at the cloek-it wanted jus
fifteen minutes to eleven-and / hurriedl
confided the whole story of my wrongs t
Jacks honest breast. He stroked down hi
red whiskers, reaeetively. uo4.L. sfl ~
"My dear fellow, really think you're al
taching too much Importance to mere tr
he,n l ~ ti .-sI.G s.-I ..- .-1-
"a tride |" | bit my lip until the bloc
came. ut is very plain to see that you al
not standing in any peculiar position, d.
bell" f ff-f =. ,.r-yt
! "Shall send for Mason lie is in til
shop, have no doubt" III
"You will do nothing of the sort!"
d T"Well, then, what is it you require of mel
Listen. She will be here, probably,
eleven, toto see Mason, ronfound ihl
ieiioW 800 9'ao 10 otsi il 1fsMArlds
swell 7" ia ui .gis3qa4g s,f-0ias -ri7o,
I ssW here will he nroballv receiya her ~