Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-10-24
The Green-Eyed Monster.

in all Sydenham, and her villa was the
best kept and most artistically decor
ated house in the town. Michael Denza
was a wine merchant, in partnership
with his elder brother Joseph, and had
a large connection in the city. The
brothers Denza were good-looking
men: Michael especially so. They
had Italian blood in their veins, and
something of the Italian warmth of
feeling in their natures. They were
well off, too, without being wealthy.
Michael Denza was leaning back in
his office chair one afternoon in No
vember, picking his teeth with a quill
"a look of perplexity upon his hand
some features. Notwithstanding the
time of year, yellow rosebud bloomed
in his buttOnhole, and his dress was
that of man of fashion.
81 can't imagine" he said, as he re-
garded a newly-received telegram on
the table before him, ''where the money
goes to! Ella is so very simple in her
tastes. She scarcely ever seems to
spend any money on herself, and vet
this is the second demand she mas
made for 20 pounds within fortnight.
don't grudge it her, Joseph, mind
that; bat | can't think what she does
with it."
"Why don't you ask her?" observed
the practical elder brother. Joseph
Denza might have been as cookbook
ing as Michael had he not been so fat,
but he was ten years older-a man
verging on forty, and he was of a
harder and more suspicious nature
than his younger brother. He had no
love for women either. He had been
cruelty deceived by one of the sex in
the days of his youth.
"Why don't you ask herP" he said.
'She won't tell you the truth, of course,
but it may prevent such exorbitant
demands for the future"
ELLA never told me lie yet" cried
Michael, firing up. 81 am sure of it.
She is as clear and open as the day."
CLEAR and open" sneered Joseph.
''Mv dear Michael you are a fool! A
divorced woman clear and open!"
''She is not divorced woman" re-
turned the other, holly. "You know
that perfectly WELL She divorced her
first husband on account of his cruelty
and inidelity to her.
''But where can the money go TOP"
"Oh, | don't care" cried Michael,
impatently, as he pushed the paper
away from him. II wish | had never
raised the question. l am not going
to suspect my wife of using it for an
unlawful purpose. She can do as she
likes with it. 1t is all the same to
me!''
'.But that is rather a dangerous way
of tampering with fortune. If Mrs.
Michael does not spend it she must
give it away"
''But to whom could she give itP
She has no relations dependent on
herp"
''Can any one have hold upon her,
MichaelP" demanded Joseph, SUSPECT
ouslv.
What do you meanP"
''Can Ella have been so imprudent
as to encourage some young fellow far
enough am only abiding to a fir
tation, you know-to embolden him to
apply to her for money on pain of dis
closureP We have heard of such things
with married ladies before, you know,
you and l."
Michael Denza's face flushed with
passion as he started from his chair
with clenched hand.
''If you were not my brother.
Joseph" he began, but broke off with
a harsh laugh. What folly | am talk
ing. and you, too" he continued.
ELLA flirt? Why, she is the quietest
little woman in the world"
well. yes. She certainly has not
got on very well in Sydenham. sup
pose this divorce business has to an
swer for thatp"
Il suppose sou said Michael, gloom
lily. People will talk, if it is only to
hear their own COMPOUNDED tongues. |
should have thought it would have died
natural death long ago."
80 should |. That is what makes
me think there must be fresh cause
for scandal. Anyway l should find out
where the money goes to-"
Il shall do no such thingm exclaimed
Michael, angrily; but at the same time
he knew that he should.
He Quilted the Office earlier than US
ual that afternoon. He entered a
smoking compartment of the train, as
usual, at London bridge. and, laying
his head back on the cushions, tried to
compose himself to sleep. But the
chatter of two young men in the same
carriage arrested his attention. They
were discussing some woman, after the
manner of their kind.
shes awfully jolly" said one of
them. Just my style, you know
tall and slim, with gray eyes and
brown hair. Quiet little woman to
look at, but knows deal, my boy"
Married, Dick? Eh!'
married! | should think so. [
don't care hang for them till they're
married. No Observation-Disclosures misses
for me-" continued the creature, who
had not a hair upon his face. Il like
a woman with some nous about her
and who knows thing or two"
Michael Denza listened to the bald
erdash with a fast-beatlng pulse. 1t
recalled so painfully the unpleasant
conversation he held with his brother
Joseph. He took a hatred to the
speaker, although he had never looked
at him before. and the instant his train
reached the Sydenham station he
leaped out and walked rapidly to his
own house. His first inquiry was for
the mistress of it. The servant replied
that she was out.
''Out at this timep" he said with
frown, as he consulted his watch.
''Why, it is nearly dark. Are the chill
dren with her?"
mo, sir; they are in the nursery.
My mistress wouldn't take them out
to-day. She said it was too cold"
Michael Denza began to pace the
room in fury. He was naturally pas
sionate and jealous, like the race he