Year: 1860

"Mr. Benton is fool" said l. "Don't
waste your precious sympathies OIL such
creature as he."


"Mr. Benton is gentleman" replied Jane
and then tie poor girl turned pale, the tears
swan in her eyes, and she hid her face in
her handkerchief, and sobbed hysterically.


l saw that l had been unjust-that had
been mean and cowardly--that my words and
bearing had been hateful and contemptible-
that there was not the very slightest ground
for my feelinss-but was too proud to con-
fess it, so approached and kindly kissed
her forehead, and asked her to forget the
matter.


| met Benton in the street frequently
after this, and was wicked enough to rejoice
IN his woe-begone appearance. l was stirred
to this partly by the fact that he had once
or twice called upon the family, and had
been treated with the most considerate cor
diality. The fact was | loved Jane almost to
distraction and could not bear to have any
other man think of her.


Cards were distributed for the wedding,
and one was sent to Mr.. Benton. But this
gratitied my malice. 1t seemed cruel to
invite man to witness the consummation
of the ruin of his hopes, so | was pleased.
| doubted whether he would come, but he
was there so calm and gentlemanly that |
could not help feeling how mean was in
his presence and of course this did not
help the matter. was more offended with
him than ever. | could almost have quar-
relied with my wife, even on the wedding
night, because she treated him with such
marked attention. | determined at any
rate, that | would cure her of her liking
for him, and was almost maddened to heal
her express the hope that he would not forget
her when she should become settled in her
new home.


A few weeks passed away, and he called
at my house-at my house! And Jane very
coolly informed me os it. 4 hope you had
pleasant time with the gentleman said
drlly. saw the fire flash in James eve as
She replied, Mr. Benton is ARRAYS pleasant
There was an emphasis on the word always
that offended me. will not tell more of
that very foolish scene Enough that | was
thoroughly di>comfted and came out of ii
hating Benton the more as was more con-
vlnccd that he was better man than myself
could not bring myself to command my
wife not to see him without single rea-
son, SO took my satisfaction in behaving
like bear, and making her miserable for a
week.


Some days had passed away when one
evening party of merry friends came in and
James bridal array became the subject of
conversation. A lady of the party expressed
wish to see tome article of ornament be-
longing to the bridal dress. Jane endeavor.
ed to change the conversation. l saw that
she was troubled, but l repeated the lady's
request. She replied that she had lent it
and her lips trembled and her cheeks burned
as she said it. The ladies saw that some.
thing was wrong, and immediately turned at
tention from the subject.


But was aroused In my excited and
suspicious state Of mind fancied a hundred
things, and somehow they were all associated
with Benton. determined to ascertain
where that article had gone. First | took
occasion during my wite's absence from the
house one afternoon to ascertain that there
was not single article of her bridal attire in
the house. l knew that the whole would
make a formidable package which she could
never or would never have carried awav.--
Who did carry it {? Somebody, probably
who belonged in the house. called the girl
whom you met at the door and asked her
whether she had carried from the house late
ly a package or bandbox belonging to Mrs
Kennedy. She colored deeply and acknowl
edged that she had. inquired as to where
she had carried it. She was very humble
and deprecated my displeasure, but very pos.
itively declined to tell. | coaxed her, under.
took to bribe her, and then threatened
her, but all 10 no purpose whatever. No,
if were to cut her in pieces would she tel
me.


My suspicious were thoroughly aroused
and believed from the bottom of my SOU
that the detestable Benton was somehow
connected with the mattar. 1t now became
me to put on smooth and afectionate ex-
/ terror. for l had secret to fathom. | re.
ceived Jane on her return with the old fonI
/ ness, and We passed an evening full of deer


misery to me, but overaowing with happiness
, for her. Where to begin in my investiga
, tions l could not tell. was afraid that the
, servant would tell Jane of our conversation
> but as she thoroughly loved her mistress
: she promised that if had no difficulty a5ou,
it she would not tell her.


had no resource now but to watch
The next day, instead of going to my office
took cigar in the reading room of the
: - Hotel, and seating myself by a win


dow that gave me view of my residence,
t kept an eye on the door. l had sat there
!, perhaps half an hour when James most init
} mate friend-Miss Kate Stepnens-wen,