The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-08-15
Snnersorr yntelligs11str. .
JOHNS SWEETHEART.

MIR. and Mrs. John Brent, at the opening of
tiiis SKETCH, had been married about fifteen
years. ..,,n,
wealth.
But where, in this world of sin is house,
inhabited by mortal beings, that does not con-
tain "a skeleton in the closet? some gaunt
drawback to domestic peace"
The tasteful, modern little cottage OF John
Brent, with its pointed gables, quaint windows
and inviting veranda, was certainly not an ex-
ception, as there were several circumstances
which tended to mar its pleasantness.
In the first place, MIR. and Mrs. Brent were
ohildless, and besides this Ito then) great dis
appointment, Mrs. Brent had, by slow degrees
become quite deaf.
With a womans intuition she felt that the
inirmity which had grown upon her was cal
oulated to weaken the interest her husband
nceheld in her, as it was now impossible tor
the long confidential interchange OF words and
thoughts, which had so frightened and diversi-
fed the first years of their welded life, to be
continued, thus making breach between hus-
band and wife as unavoidable as deplorable.
It is not, then, to be wondered at, that in pro-
portion as Mary Brent grew deaf, she also grew
suspicious and jealous.
There was no good cause for suspicion or
jealousy on the part of the unfortunate woman,
for John Brent's good nature was proverb,
and such were his social qualifications and easy
address that he had insensibly acquired the
simple cognomen "John" among his associates,
male and female, and was the last man in the
community likely to be suspected of wanton
neglect of his wife; on the contrary, he was
particularly attentive to her, and no matter
GoW impatient others became at being COM
pelled to exert themselves in speaking to Mrs.
Brent, John never seemed to think it a hard
ship to elevate his voice when addressing her.
After hours of toll at his Office, when at night
he returned to his quiet home, he would, with
out the slightest sign of weariness, recount the
days transactions, answering good d-humoredly
ali superhuous questions interluding the mar
ration with endearments such as kind hus-
band knows how to bestow.
Strange that Mary Brent could find it in her
heart to be jealous. But for all that, the faith
full wife nursed painful doubts, and no one, not
even John, suspected the truth. The good man
never imagined that his industrious, matter of
fact wife spent long, sleepless nights when the
business of Circuit Court called him, twice a
year, from home; for when the darkness fell
around her, poor, deaf Mrs. Brent, in spite of
herself would harrow up thousand-and-one
phantoms over which to feel miserable.
Among others, that may be after all, the at
tendance at the neighboring court was only
ruse. Perhaps John, her John, had some IA
vorite, some winning creature, with whom ne
could converse without the trouble of raising
his voice far above its natural pitch:
All this weakness, however, Mrs. Brent kept
to herself wisely determining never to exhibit
the smallest symptom of mistrust, unless for
some visible, unmistakable cause.
Most married people, who are childless, be-
come more or less selfish, morose, and often
grabbed toward the children of others.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Brent were an exception
to this rule.
Their attractive cottage was the yearly,
monthly, weekly and daily resort for a score of
youngsters of all ages, (for the worthy pair
were extensively connected. "Uncle John"
and "Aunt Mary" made no distinction, being
equally indulgent to all.
Many bright eye grew brighter, and many
a rosy cheek roster, for the dainty luxury saved
for the coming of the chubby, dimpled hand
stretched out to receive it.
AS a natural consequence there were plenty
of namesaks among thekinsfolk- "Marys" and
"Johns."
But two, however, of the many nieces and
nephews had, at this time, arrived to years OF
discretion.
These were sweet Mary Lorrimer, child OF
John Brent's sister, and John Manners, son
of Mary Brent's eldest brother.
There was project hidden away in Mrs.
Brent's breast, along with her jealousy, which
she disclosed to no one; in plain English, she
strongly desired to make match between her
husbands niece, Mary Lorrimer, and her own
nephew, John Manners But had she been in
full possession of hearing, she would have
known the utter hopelessness of her scheme;
for already had the said John Manners become
enamored of a fair girl in the village-Lucy
Gray-and their engagement was, among those
who had the right to know, acknowledged.
1t chanced that John Brent had failed to
mention this much-talked-of and generally
conceded love-matc to his wife, and, in bliss
full ignorance of her nephew's entanglement,
Mary Brent went on building castles in the air,
the only occupants of which being Mary Lori
mer and John Manners.
1t was during the hot summer months that
the cottage of the Brents was enliyened by
visit from Mary Lorrimer.
A strange and pretty face usually creates
more or less notice in a small town, and the
appearance of Miss Lorrimer in - was the
signal for series of excursions, picnics, fish
inys. parties, dances, etc., etc. So marked was
the courtesy extended to their relative, that
Mr.. and Mrs. John Brent, after due consulta-
ton, considered it incumbent upon them to re-
turn these polite attentions by giving Mary
Lorrimer party.
Very soon the usually quiet cottage was in
the confusion that always precedes the giving
of an entertainment.
Before the end of the week everything was
in, readiness for the invited guests.
Mary Brent had finished icing the last cake,
and given few touches to the well-arranged
table, when, worn by unusual exertion, she
sought the cool, darkened parlor to indulge in
moment of rest.
Scarcely had she seated herself in the large
rocking-chair, when the door-bell rang with
such violence that The sound reached even her
ear.
"Who can be coming here now?" was the
mental ejaculation of the tired ho,lse-keeper,
as she answered the summons.