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

aud commenced pracvice IN Cne Guy; 1
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 8
letter from him which troubled me very
much. It 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. It was week
before / could leave patient dangerous
ly ILL.,, but one afternoon, after three.
nights of watching, I 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 at eight o'clock
found myself ringing the bell at the
door of Fred's pretty residence on --
street.
a trim servant girl answered to my
summons. I know by her looks that she
had heard of me, and suspected who l
was. Mr.. Kennedy was at home, she
said, and was in the parlor, the door Of
which she swung open tome; after I had
laid aside 10y overcoat. l entered the
door, but the parlor seemed to be empty.
Hooked about the walls, but the only
thing which fastened my attention vas
the exquisitgspoftrait ofa beautiful -wo-
man, ,almost enyeloped in the misty bridal
veil-a very marvel Of painting through
which shone out the most golden ringlets
and face of sweet beauty. and rare in
telligence. It seemed strange that the
parlor should be lighted SO brilliantly
and be without an occupant, and l ad-
vaced towards the portrait without 5no-
ticing that q deep easy chair, its back to-
wards nae, was planted before it. I 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 abb
sorbed in happy contemplation -
coughed slightly, and>in an-instant
Fred. Kennedy was on his feet, and was
in his arms. + never saw him so e1trav7
agant in his demonstrations Of delight.
He shook my hands a dozen times,
slapped my shoulders, caught me by the
arm and whirled me around the room,
poked the fire, aud laughed as if.he were
insane.
"By Georget Tom Conway, I am glad
to see you" said he, at last, fairly putting
with the demonstrationhe had made.
~ had begun 10 suspect something Of
that kind, y fleplied, fubbing my shoul-
der. "I think you must have been culti-
waiting your affections lately" gs.. r
aWell, have: What do you think Of
that3" And he turned to the, portrait.
Exquisite u exclaimed
Magnificent, isn't it7".
Mrs. Kennedy?"
- Mrs. Fred. Kennedy"
"Hsry "Hs hpsss pretty, Is she :, is painted 4
Now, Fred" said I, seriously, sit
down. Yon are too much excited. It
will be the death of you. I have come to
see you professionally. Yourleteer--''
"The letterP
"It's a clear case of INSANITY" con-
tinued. eff lam favored with SIN inter.
view with the original Mrs. Kennedy,
shall reprimand her for leaving you alone.
Your letter betrayed the most distressing
symptoms. / was afraid that should
find you had committed suicide, lbut !
see that. there. has been areactior,." !" -"
I said thisin q bantering Ray, ), hut I no.
ticed that Fred's countenance changed,
until its expression was one of mingled
yexation and pain.
ssNo more Of that AM thou lowest me,
Tom,"s he replied, and then added,
after you have had supper I will tell
you all about it. Jane is q good crea.
ture, and has gone to the sewing circle.
Those things bore ME and she insisted
upon my staying at home. We shall
have good hour together before her re-
turn
Fred. sat almost silent with me, in his
snug little dining room, when I did JUS
tice to my appetite and his hospitality /;
then we returned to the parlor, and 1
gave myself up to slippers, a cigar, and
Fred's story.
"When wrote you that letter." said
Fred, 81 was fool, but was very mis-.
cradle, nevertheless. You see, before I
was married, there was q young man in
the city, of the name of Bsnton. He
loved Jane; I found it out, and hated
him. He was quiet fellow, with dark
soft eye, and a romantic air, and can't
express the contempt felt for him. He
seemed to me to perfect milk.sop. It
was before I was engaged, and J. used
frequently to meet him with Jane, at her
fathers house.. Isaw that he was in love
head and ears; and what vexed me be-
yond everything else was, thai: Jane would
always treat him respectfully. After
he had parted from us on one occasion,
and she had treated him with the usual
consideration, was determined to bring
matters to an end + proposed before I
left, and received the assurance that
I was the chosen man.
Well, Benton continued to call. I do
not think he knew " of the position of af.
fairs, but it made no difference. I deter
mined to cut him, and I did,, J.
met him in the Street in broad day
and cut him dead. Who should I
find that night with Jane but this con-
temptible Benton? He lad risen to
leave the room with agony depicted upon
every feature of his face. I saw it all at
glance-he had proposed and been re-
jected. All the devil there was in me re-
ioiced. / have no doubt that I grinned
maliciously upon him as he passed out.
could heartily have added kick to the
repulse he had received. But Jane was
distressed. She respected Mr.. Benton 80
much!
Nh. Benton is a fool, said I. Don't
waste your precious sympathies on such
a creature as he.
Mr.. Benton is gentleman, replied
Jane, and then the poor girl turned pale,
the tears swan in her eyes, and she hid
her face in her handkerchief, and sobbed
Historically. I saw that had been un-
iust-tbat I had been mean and coward
ly-that my words aud bearing had been
hateful and contemptible-that there was
not the slightest ground for my feelings,
but I was too proud to confess it, so I ap.
preached and kissed her forehead, and
asked her to forget the matter.
I met Benton in the street frequently
after this, and was wicked enough to re-
ioica in his wne.hep0ne appearance.