The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-04-14
A CASE OF JEALOUSY.

Fred. Kepnedy is my best friend. We
were in college together, and. deep in pFej
another's confidence. He studied law,
and commenced practice in tho city; I
read medicine, and opened an Office in
the country. But Fred. got in love
and forgot me until about. three months
after his marriage, when / received G
letter from him which troubled me very
much. 1t was full Of vague hints Of sor-
row, and anger, and despair. He wanted
to see me. He must see me and tell me
what he could not write. Il was week
before could leave patient dangerous
ly i'll but one afternoon, after three
nights Of watching, threw myself and
my carpet bag into the cars, for the city.
slept all the way, only disturbed by
two punches in the ribs and an equal
number in my ticket, and OF eight o'clock
found myself ringing the bell at the
door of Freds pretty residence on
street.
A trim servant girl answered TO my
summons. knew by her looks that she
had heard of me, and suspected who !
was. Mr.. Kennedy was ut home, she
said, aud was in the parlor, the door OF
which she swung open 10 me; after ! had
laid aside my overcoat. / entered the
door, but the parlor seemed to be empty.
looked about the walls, but the only
thing which fastened my attention was
the exquisite portrait Of beautiful wo-
man, almost enyeloped in the misty bridal
yeil--a very marvel of painting through
which shone out the most golden ringlets
and face of sweet beauty and raro in.
tclligence. 1t seemed strange that the
parlor should be lighted SO brilliantly
and be without an occupant, and ad.
vaced towards the portrait without no
ticing that deep easy chair, Its back to-
wards me, was planted before it. / soon
perceived that it was occupied, for an
embroidered slipper peeped out from one
side, toying lightly with the air as If the
heart Of the one who wore it were ab.
sorbed in happy contemplation.
coughed slightly, and in an instant
Fred. Kennedy was on his feet, and / was
in his arms. / never saw him 60 extrav-
agant in his demonstrations Of delight,
He shook my hands dozen times,
slapped my shoulders, caught me by the
arm and whirled me around the room,
poked the fire, and laughed as ifhe were
insane.
"By Georgel Tom Conway, am glad
to see YOU" said he, at last, fairly putting
with the demonstration he had made.
II had begun 70 suspect something of
that kind" / replied, rubbing my shoul.
der. II think you must havo been cult.
waiting your affections lately"
"Well, have. What do YOU think of
that ?" And he turned to the portrait
Exquisite |" I exclaimed.
Magnificent, isn't it?"
Mrs. Kcnnedy?"
Mrs. Fred. Kennedy"
very pretty, she is painted"
"Ba, ha, ha, ha |"
"Now, Fred" said I, seriously, "sit
down. You are too much excited. It
will be the death Of you. l havo come to
see you professionally. Your letter."
"Ihe letter ~
It's clear case of insanity" I con.
tinued. "1f am favored with an inter.
view with the original Mrs. Kennedy,
shall reprimand her for leaving you alone.
Your letter betrayed the most distressing
symptoms was afraid that I should
find you had committed suicide, ibut
see that there has been reaction"
said this in banteri-g way, but ne-
ticed that Fred's countenanco changed.
until its expression was one of mingled
vexation and pain.
NC more of that an thou lowest me.
Tom" be replied, and then added.
"After ycu have had supper I will tell
you all about it. Jane Is O good crea.
ture, aud has gone to tho sewing circle.
Those things bore ME and she insisted
upon my staying at homo. .Wo shall
have good hour together before her re-
turn"
Fred. sat almost silent with mo, in his
snug little dining rom, when did ius.
tice to my appetite and his hospitality :;
then we returned to the parlor, and 1
gave, myself up to slippers, q cigar, and
Fred's story.
When wrote you that letter." ssid
Fred, II was q focl, but was very mis-.
cradle, nevertheless. You soc, before I
was married, there was young man In
the city, of the name of Benton. He
loved Jane; found it out, and hated
him. He wee 6 iu;a. fellow, with u dark
soft eye, and romantic air. and can't
express the contempt felt for him. He
seemed to me to perfect milE.sop. It
was before l was engaged, and I used
frequently to meet him with Jane, at her
iIthers house, saw that he was In love
head and ears; and what yexed me be.
yond everything else was, thar Jane would
always treat him respectfully. After
he had parted from us on one occasion.
and she had treated him with the usnal
consideration, WAS determined to bring
matters to an end. I proposed before I
lett, and received the assurance that
l was the chosen man.
Well, Benton continued to call. do
not think he knew of. the position of of.
ialrs, but 1t made no difference. I deter.
mined to cut, him, and did, III
met him In; the Street in broad day 4
and cut him dead. Who should I
find that night with Jane but this CON
temptiblo Denton2 He had risen to
leave the room with agony depicted upon
eve-y feature of his face I cav it ali ut
n glance-he had proposed and been re-
Jected. All tho devil there was in me re-
loiced. have no doubt that I grinned
maliciously upon him as helpassed out.
could heartily have added kick to the
repulse he had received. But Jane was
distressed. She respected Mr.. Benton 80
muchl
MIR. Benton is q fool, said I. Don't
waste your precious sympathies on such
81 creature as he.
Mr. Benton is gentleman, replied
Jane, and then tho poor girl turned pale.
the tears swan in her eyes, and she hid
her face in her handkerchief, and sobbed
hysterically. saw that I had been an
just-tllat | had been mean and coward.
ly-that my words and bearing had been
hateful and contemptible-.that there was
not the slightest ground for my feelings
but l Twas too proud to confess It, so an.
preached and kissed her forehead, and
asked har 10 fnrnat fha s,aatta.