Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-05-13


greeable to Miss Hutter, and Lit Cigar.
Finally Caleb, in rage, hearing the
clock strike two, took his hat and depart
| ed, and Jennie ran up stairs to cry, for
Caleb had not kissed her at parting.
Caleb himself was jealous and wrathful,
and as time wore on nothing happened to
change his mind. The same thing was re-
peated evening after evening, and Jennie
was not as angry as she should have been.
Indeed, Caleb was fast becoming possessed
of the idea that she liked Mr. Jordan bet
ter than she had ever liked him.
The impertinent rascal, he must know
that she's engaged to me, " said Caleb. "I'll
show him what think of him, and accord
ingly he did his best to be rude to Mr..
Jordan, and show him that he was not
welcome in the little parlor.
Mr.. Jordan only fancied his manners un-
couth, and his temper bad, and devoted
himself to Jennie, who tried to make
amends for her lovers ill-behavior by
great politeness, and who was terribly trou-
bled, poor little soul, by Calebs disagreea-
bic manners.
Had she known the whole truth, she
might have been yet more troubled.
Caleb's greatest fault was jealousy, and
now that passion was boiling in his heart,
and maddened him until the good-humored
well-intentioned young farmer was a re-
vengeful dark. browed dangerous sort of fell
low, with all sorts of wicked thoughts and
feelings.
He hated the handsome man who was
striving to win Jennie from him, and he was
angry at Jennie, who seemed to ''encotrage
him.
At last, one Sunday, he did not go to the
Hutters.
"Better not go than suffer as he did" he
said and neither did he attend as usual to
his farm, but spent his time wandering
about the woods with gun and game bag, by
way of excuse for ldleness.
For whole week he slept on the grass,
and bought his meals at wayside taverns,or
sometimes shot rabbit or hare and
broiled it over gypsy fire for his dinner.
There must be something done.
He must have it out with Jennie and give
her back her letters, and that golden lock
or hair that lay against his breast-but not
yet, not yot
So he wandered about the wood like
madman-and mad he was for the time to
all intents and purposes.
The Sabbath evening came again, and he
sat under great elm, with his gun by his
side and his mead bowed on his hands.
1t was quite dark, and no one could have
seen Inn i'll the shadow; neither did he see
two people who walked slowly past, but he
heard their voices-John Doolittle and
/
" What's come Of Caleb Moor 2" asked
cne.
" Dunno" responded the other. He'd
orter hurry back; the city fellar'll have his
gal if he don't"
" Have her any way" said the first.
Mark my words, she's Tilted Caleb. l seen
her and t'other sitting in the verandy like
two turtle-doves as went apast, and he's
as rich as a jew, they say"
Hnot % oh foy - 4oi6 40.
second, and the two trotted on.
Caleb listened until they were gone, and
then started up The image presented by
the words " like two turtle-doves," lashed
him to such fury as he had never felt be-
fore.
"Tll kill him !" he muttered. I'll kill
him by heaven, l will ~
And he examined his gun as he spoke
with terrible CLEAN in his dark eye, arc
throwing it over his shoulder, hurried away
+, towards the Hutters farm house.
1t was a dark night, moonless and cloudy
Far away he could see the CLEAN of candle
q light from the small parlor and two fgurei
!, with their backs to the window.
e He knew them in moment-Mr. Jordan
~ and Jennie Hutter.
Together together !" he Whispers
between his teeth, and strobe on, crushing
the green grass beneath his feet.
= At last only the branches of a tall lila
intervened between himself and the pair
= He stood behind it and looked at his GU
= again. He listened
al have something to say to you, Jen
ME" said Mr. Jordan's voice.
q Caleb took aim, deadly aim at the broa
J back of the speaker, and stood still again
:, ''I'll hear what it is and then kill him,
t. he muttered. "Yes, I'll hear it all. The
o he shall drop at her feet, just as she ha
10 given her false heart into his keeping, deao
and then will end my wicked life and tn
it shall die together"
His finger was on the trigger, and h
stood like statue of vengeance waiting fc
the words whose import he already knew
:" 'You mustkno love you" said Mr. Jol
10 dan. "You must be used to love and admiri
ton. But, perhaps you cannot guess no
much. 1t is better than my life. Jennie,
adore You."
Id Caleb drew one step nearer, his teeth Sc
rs his eyes sparkling.
Jennie said nething.
1t Mr.. Jordan went on:
A "Will you be my wife, Jennie? l am o
r der than you, but will be very kind to yol
ly Could you like me well enough for tina
es my dear You would never repent it.
H. am rich, and my wealth would be lavishe
v. upon you. You shall move in circles wher
liz your D6huJy duu yOuH BldSo Will 10 oPPA'
d. ciated, and your wish shall be law to m
nd You-Jennie. don't run away. speak to me
J." will you be my wife, darling ?"
h, The muzze of the gun rested on I'll
to wiudow-sill now, and Caleb Moor's brea
be almost brushed the thin dark, curls Of JeI
O. MES wooer.
Id How will she ray it ?" thought Gale
d. Not what-that he believed he knew.
Id In moment more Jennie spoke.
Id 81 am so sorry" she said. " did N
think-it never entered my mind that y
n. liked me so. Your ways are go differe
he from ours, and-and-you are so mu
m richer and older"
"But does that make any difference
asked Mr.. Jordan.
III 81 don't know. II it was any one elst
ed should say the same. cannot say "
he Mr.. Jordan"
Caleb heard the words, and his g
tut dropped lower.
"Why not Am too old?" asked t
rer wooer
"In tell you the simple TRUTH" 81
he Jennie. II am engaged, MIR. Jordan
7as have been engaged two years to Cal
Moor"
led " But you don't love the silly brute
cried Mr.. Jordan ;-"that can't be, Jenni
tir CT love him better than ANYTHING else