The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-08-15
The joyful expression faded from Mary
Brent's face, as she said in slightly trembling

voice:
'I didn't know John had a sweetheart"
"You didntp' exclaimed Mrs. Green. "Why
sakes alivel 1t has been the town talk for
ever so long p' and puzzled at the peculiar ex-
preston of her listener, she added: "Has John
never told you about it?'
''Nol" cried Mrs. Brent, almost blind with
rage and jealousy. "And he had better never
tell me Of this"
Poor, simple Mrs. Green Little did she
dream of the tornado her words had reused
within the breast Of the woman before her
She saw there was something wrong, but at
tributed Mrs. Brent's excitement to anything
but the real cause.
'It is strange" she cried, at the top of her
voice, "that you of all people, did not know
John had sweetheart"
"Who is she?" hissed Mrs. Brent.
''Who is she?" echoed Mrs. Green. "Why,
who but Lucy Gray-and nice girl she is. 1
can't see, for the life of me, why you should
take ON so John is not the first fellow that
ever had sweetheart. don't blame him for
liking her. am su-"
"Iblame him !' cried Mrs Brent. "I think
it is shame, and if had known all l know
now, she should never have been invited to mey
| house."
The tears welled up in spite of her efforts to
suppress them. Turning to Mrs. Green, the
mortified wife added:
"I would ask you to go into the parlor and
sit down, but / must 60 and look after the Ice
| cream"
ooh, don't apologize, responded Mrs. Green;
ssI must hurry back, for never saw my Della
| in such way about party. promised to be
back in time to press her crimps with warm
iron, and ought to be at home now" Ap-
preaching the outer door, she continued: 81 do
| hone You'll have nice time, and that every
thing will go off we'll but mind, don't for the
world mention what said about Johns sweet
heart, as maybe he won't like it."
With this Injunction, the next door neighbor
vanished, never once suspecting the shaft her
words had planted.
Later in the afternoon John Brent entered
his well-regulated cottage He passed through
the hall to the family room, thence to the par.
Ilor, and on to the dining room. Evidences OF
his wifes management met him at every turn
libut although the impress of her industrious
fingers was upon everything before him, the
fingers themselves were no where to be seen.
He proceeded to the pantry, and from there
to the spring-house, chicken-coop, pig-pen and
cow-lot, but still no sign of his wife's bodily
presence. After moments reflection, it oc-
CURED to him she might be in the attic
Taking two steps at bound, John Brent
soon gained the second floor, and was startled
by hearing a distinct sob!
Entering the room from which the distressed
sound emanated, to his amazement he beheld
the form of his beloved wife stretched upon
sofa-lounge. She was crying as II her heart
would break.
Raising his voice to its highest pitch, he en-
quired the cause of her apparent distress.
Mrs. Brent cast look-a deprecating look
Upon him and burst into paroxysm OF tears.
John was the impersonation of bewilderment.
Mrs. Brent was anything but nervous woman.
This unusual demonstration was we'll calcula-
ted to create uneasiness on the part of the per-
picked husband.
"Mary," he said, soothingly, Us he slipped
his arm about her waist, "what upon earth Is
matter?"
She cried more violently, and pushed him
away.
ri must know the meaning of this uncommon
behavior" said John Brent, sternly Through
numberless sobs, Mrs. Brent uttered:
"You'd better 60 ask YOUR sweet
heart Maybe she Can tell! Boo-oo!
Boo-ooooW
sAIy sweetheart" 1" cried John, relieved of all
anxiety, as he saw in an instant that his wife
was laboring under some delusion. "My sweet
heart which one, dear? for l have dozen"
"Dont try to ridicule me, John," replied the
injured wife. "Didn't Mrs. Green, not an hour
ago. come over here, under pretence of looking
at the table, just to tell me? OH" The re-
membrance Of all Mrs. Green had said here
overpowered the jealous woman, and choked
her utterance. "Oh / wish / was dead! !"
"Wel /" exclaimed John, with some impa-
ttience, "what did she tell you?"
"She pretended to want to see the table, just
to ask ME if had invited your sweetheart
Oh-oon Here fresh flood of tears.
"Was that all !" asked John, trying to soothe
his agitatcd wife.
"No!' almost shrieked Mary Brent, pro-
voked by the smile on her husbands face. 81
asked her who, and she laughed in my face,
and said Lucy Gray, and that she didn't blame
you for liking her. Oh, John-John to think
how have loved you all along, and this is the
return! wish l w-a-s d-e-a-dp
The truth flashed upon John in moment.
In spite of his wife's renewed tears, he laughed
immoderatcly.
Mrs. Brent was now in a perfect fury. jerk
ing from her husbands embrace, she stood in
the centre of the room, like an enraged tigress.
i "Mrs Green says it has been the town talk
for weeksl" she shrieked.
.And SO it has," returned John, .sys eyesing his us
infuriated wife mischievously. "The only
trouble is, Mrs. Green failed to say which
John. Miss Lucy Gray is Johns sweetheart,
but she happens to be in love with your
nephew, John Manners, and not your husband,
John Brent.
In moment the look of anger and defiance
upon Mrs. Brents face was changed to one of
shame and contrition She was fully conscious
of the ridiculous attitude in which her mean
jealousy had placed her.
Burying her face upon her husbands shoul-
er, she wept tears of the deepest penitence.. :.
"Can you ever forgive me, John ?" she asked,
as soon as she had gained sufficient compoSIare
aside the disheveled hair, and imprinting a
kiss upon the flushed cheek. 81 ought to be
only too thankful for wife who loves poor
devil like myself we'll enough to be jealous
But, come it is growing late, my dear; dry
xour ovoey NO rnust nrena re Tn meet orr quests