Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-19
Murcester 9a1Ip SPY.
why the Widow Jenkens Didn't Marry
DIR. Wells.
BY MARY GRACE HALPINE
CONCLUDED.

MIS-. JenkenS expressive countenance as
she h5ard this, underwent various changes
first, she looked astonshed. then indignant,
then she colored, and then smiled.
81 hope you are not angry" said Hattie, in
some trepidatiOn, as Mrs. Jenkins made no
reply. 81 promised to ask YOU so thought
must. But you needn't tell me indeed, l
hope you won't. l don't see why it should be
any OF their business, and I'm sure that it is
none OF mine.
81 am not in the least angry with you
Hattie" said the widow, smiling. "Though
should advise you not to be so hssty, another
time, in giving your promise, inasmuch as this
occasioned you so much uneasiness. You may
tell these ladies' that invite them to take tea
at my house tomorrow afternoon aud that l
will then and there ans Wer that important
question, trust, to their entire satisfaction
You may come too, Hattie" she added, as the
young girl catched up her hat, preparatory to
making lasty exit
The message was received by the aforesaid
ladies with mingled surprise and selfcongrat-
uatiOn. With surprise, because Mrs Jenkens
had, hitherto, stood steadily aloo from the So
ciety being 81 uncharitable as to declare it to
be nothing but school for scandal" and
that il accomplished faI more mischief than
good With seit-congra;ulations, because they
ielt, to use Miss Wormwood's tecitous ex-
preston, that something was coming now
that would astonsh some folks p
The next day, ut the appointed hour, found
them all quietly seated in Mrs. jenkins pleas.
ant little parlor.
Mrs Jenkens received them with her usual
affability. Indeed, she was more than usually
soclabe, and seemed TO be particularly desir
Gus OF making her guests perfectly at home
But there was certain constraint in their man
ner, but more especially in their tongues,
which were more than usually quiet, and their
minds seemed to be soemnly impressed with
the important disclosure that was about to be
made. Every time their hostess opened her
mouth to speak, all eyes were fixed upon her
in eager expectancy, and as there fell from
them some causal remark, as far as possible
from the subject Of their thoughts, their dsap.
pOlntment was evident.
But the widow seemed to be quite uncon
scious of all this She looked as cool and
comfortable in her simple white muslin, laugh
ed as gaily and chatted as cheertully as
though there was no such person as Dr. Wells
in existence, and nothing in the mystery of his
disappearance that she was expected to clear
up.
The afternoon slowly wore away, and Mrs.
JeDkens led her guests out to the supper table
whose bountifully spread board seemed to
have benign effect upon those for whom it
was provided
And as they seated themselves around it
and slipped the fragrant nectar, vulgary called
tea, their hearts began TO expand under its gen.
ia influer ce, and they all commenced with
one accord, TO prais- the light and crisp bis
cults, the spicy loaf cake, the delicious Gus
tards and preserves, &c. &C., which they sew
orally declared were the bes they had ever
tasted. All of which were made by the small
white hands of their hostess who was nota
BILE little house keeper, and though she kept
one servant, generally spent part of each morn
ing in the kitchen.
The pretty widow bore the honors very
meekly, though she did not in accordance with
time-honored custom, declare, THAT there
was nothing on the table fit TO eat, and that
she was really afraid that none of them would
be able to make out a supper"
But the supper like all sublunary joys came
20 al end at last and the whole party adjourn
ed to the parlor AS soon as they had seated
themsel es, deep silence reigned for they per-
ceived by the widows look and manner that
she was about Ia speak.
This time Mrs. Jenkens did not disappoint
them. Ladies" said she, in a tone that in.
stantly secured their attention, 81 have urder
stood that you are all very anxious to know
why / haven't married DIR. Wells. Have
been correctly informed 2"
eyes, my dear Mrs. Jenkins" said Miss
Dorothy Norwood, who being president of
the society" and accustomed to speak in
public" volunteered to become spokeswoman
curisoity, oh no; we are above such feelings,
but because we are anxious that the villain
should be unmasked who had so basely decev-
ed US. That i'll case he should return, which
God forbid, lie should not be allowed to desc
crate with his unholy presence our virtuous
and peaceful homes p
Having given vent to this burst of eloquence
the aimable spinster settled back into her chair
and subsidized into solemn silence, whose dig.
n tV fIIli v wi no
tience distinctly visible in every glance OF the
keen, restless eyes and in each lire of the
sharp angular face.
Mrs. Jenkens continued In order that
may relieve the disinterested, and highly
commendable anxiety which has so distracted
your minds for some weeks past, and silence
the many rumOrs TO which it has given rise, /
have concluded 10 answer that important ques-
ton, to the best of my ability, upon two con.
ditons. The first one is, that the secret,
which shall unfold TO you shall be strictly
confined to your own bosoms !"
This was said with a look and tone of
great solemnity, and, as the reader will readi-
ly Imagine, it produced a corresponding in
crease Of curiosity and excitement in those
who heard it.
They all individually and collectively be-
gan immediately to declare, "that they would
never breath syllable of it TO any living be-
ing" Miss Norwood heroicalIy adding,
"No, not if she were stretched upon the rack"
Which as there was little danger OF the occur
renee OF that rather unpleasant alternative
seemed 10 be somewhat superfiuous.
my other condition." resumed Mrs. Jen-
kens, "is, that none of you ask me another
question concerning it,"
This last condition was harder to be COM
piled with but as the widow declined TO pro
coed without it, they gave their assent to that
also.
"rhen, ladies'" said Mrs. Jenkens, speaking
slowly aud distinctly. Il will inform YOU that
the reason why l haven't married DIR. Wells,
is-beCause he has neUer asked me !"
So completely absorbed we're those ladies in
this anxiously expected revelation that they
had not observed that they had an addition to
their number in the form OF tall 6ne-luokng
gentleman, who had stood for the last few
minutes upon the threshold OF the halEopen
door, evidently uncertain as to whether he
had better advance or retreat. Neither did
the widow observe if, until, at the conclusion
OF her sentence, she raised her eyes and met
the gaze of a dark and handsome pair that
were fixed upon her countenance, in which
there was singular blending of mirhfulness
and wonder.
The consciousness that he had heard what
she said s Mt the warm blood to her checks,
but she did not lose otherwise the quiet self
possession that characterized her usual mani
ner.
Or. Wells, for it was he, had already re-
ceiVed an inhhng OF the rumors that were
attOat concerning him an he was nj M loes I'm