The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1878-12-12
JENNY sTROTHER'S MARRIAGE

"Now, tell me one thing, Fred Web
ster, saidJaok L,ngley to his friend as
they seated themselves in a retired nook
in one of Mrs Baxter's perlors, or
Lexington street. Baltimore, at fash
ionabe party given by the lady, sis il
really true that you and Jenny StrotheI
are engaged?'
Fred Webster shrugged his should,
ers.
That's what they say" he replied,
laughing.
"Well. Fred rejoined his friend,
will you tell me what you fiud to at
tract Won ig that siok kly- looking girlp'
maybe that's the very reason l
want to marry her," said Fed.
"Don't talk in riddles, Fred. Yon
are a fine looking young fellow, in
good business. Why throw yourself
away upon that emaciated crasture?'
"Let me tell you, Jack. why | want
to marry her. You know she is an orS
phan, and of age. She's got S25, 900 in
her own right, and that sum would
help me wonderfully in my business. y
Jack shook his head.
"Twenty five thousand dollars is a
pile of money in these hard times, but
1t is, after all, not much, considering
that you are to be chained for life to a
woman who looks now alreldy as if in
need of the doctor and apothecary. let
alone what she will be when she is a
few years older"
"Ah! jack" said Fred, With sig
niicant smile, II have inquired about
her of the physician, and elected from
him, in roundabout way, that she has
the consumption, and that he does not
believe she will live another year, 1
will marry her, get her property into
my hands and bury her before the year
is oyer. Ha! hal hal"
"Give me your hand, old boy!'
cried Jack, enthusiastically THAT is
smart, after allr'
''And when she Is gone I will marry
the finest girl l can find.",
They rose to take a glass of wine.
As they left the parlor the curtain of
the bay window was drawn aside aud a
pale. slender girl looked after them with
flashing eyes.
"How glad am that witnessed yoHr
hcartless conversation, villains!" she
muttered. "Oh, gentlemen. you will
find out to your cost that Jenny Stroth-
or is not what you take her for!''
For a moment she stood still trying
to calm herself. Hers was evidently
strong will; for minute or two later
she returned with placid. smiling face
to the room where they were dancing.
She looked, indeed, pale and frail, but
by ne means as the two young men had
painted her.
On the contrary, there was in her
spirituelle face something sweet and
pensive that would have been very at
tractive to a great many men.
This expression of her oounteuance
was neutralized only every now and
then by the peculiar lnstre of her large
black eyes, which showed very plainly
that she was woman of strong pas
sions. and endowed with considerable
frmness.
With the sweetest smile she beckoned
to Fred Webster. who hastened to her
side with most obsequious air.
"Why. Fred. she said. in honeyed
voice, lyon neglect me to night. What
did You leave me with your handsome
friend Longley for2'
"Oh, we had to talk about bust.
ness transaction" he replied, with an
almost perceptible sneer in his VOICE.
She pressed her lips together for q
second, and then said:
us Mr., Longley as good business
man ~ he is handsome, Fred,'
Fred frowned little.
Indeed, Jenny" he replied, II cant
see that he is especially good.iooking.
well. / think he is, Fred But it
is getting late; don't feel very we'll. |
Will You take me homer.
Az she mid thsA she - ma vefy