St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-06-14
HENNIKER's DOWNFALL.

HENNIKER'S DOWNFALL.
The idea Of marrying for money was
distasteful to Frank Henniker. Like
most men, no matter how \. fast.'' he
had looked forward in his inner hears
to time in the future when he should
md woman who truly loved him and
should settle down into quiet life and
be very happy; and this ideal the
thought of marrying for money dissi-
pated. That it would be possible for
HIM SO to do he had not the slightest
doubt. Without being conceited he vet
knew that he was more than toleraDly
good-looking. a gentleman and pos
sessed OF manners and bearing that in
sured him, at any rate among the
younger members OF his acquaintance,
hearty welcome wherever he went.
But to marry for money-to give up all
his sentimental ideas of finding dispo-
sition that would be thoroughly CON
genial to his own--to marry a girl who
in all probability would not have a
single thought or feeling in common
with him-this was, indeed, bitter
pill to swallow.
1t was, however, no time for nambv-
PANTY sentiment Ruin was staring
him IN the face, and disgrace was not
so very far behind but that he could see
the coming shadow. There could be
no doubt about it; he must marry for
money; Disagreeable as the physic
was, it must be taken, and upon whom
should his choice fallP
Cogitating thus within himself, his
eye fellupon letter in a rack above
the chimney-pi the address Of which
was written in a pretty feminine hand.
Surely here was the very thing! That
same morning he had received an inyi-I
tation from an exceedingly wealthy cot
ton spinner in Manchester, to whom he
had recently had the opportunity Of
being of some service in town, asking
him to spend Whitsuntide with him.
This cotton spinner was a widower, and
had an only child, a daughter. Thought
fully Henniker opened the letter and
read it through. The contents ran
thus. EEf8B
THE MTDLANDs, DIDsBURg, May Il, 49,.
DEAR Mr.. HENEIKER: Papa for whom, / |
am acting as secretary, wishes to know if you |
Will do us the pleasure of spending Whitsun- |
tide here He understood, I think. from what /
you said when he was in town chat Won were |
not engaged for that season. IL you will let
us know when and by what train we may ex- /
pect you, the carriage shall meet you at the I
station Papa sends his kind regards and /
hopes you viii come. Believe me, yours very /
truly, LTIlY MAITT,ASD9fs'
silly, unused Henniker, as he laid /
down the letter-''a pretty name! And |
it is nice ladylike hand she writes. I'll
wonderwhat she is like? Just the OPP
posite Of the name, dare say-a short,
stout, awkward girl with large red
hands and tremendous feet, who bushes
fearfully whenever she is addressed and
hasn't a word to say for herself it is
not ditficnlt to understand what the
daughter of an uncultivated cotton
spinner, brought up under the extreme
~ refining influence of Manchester So
society, will be like. Or perhaps she is
one OF the loud school, bold and mas
cullne, perfect boy in petticoats.
There's something rather free and easy
about the letter, now come to think
Of it. though it is written so nicely.
However, as have decided that she is
to be my future wife, it is scarcely wise
% pull her to pieces. I'm in for the
ace now, and it would only be the act
IF very foolish man to depreciate the
prizes; and, pulling & writing case
owards him, lie hastily wrote an ae- j
'eptance Of Mr.. Maitland kind invita- t
ion, promising to be in Manchester on
he day but one afterwards.
Il was with no very pleasant feel I
ceilings that Frank Henniker travelled /
own from Euston on the day appointed. Y
MIR. Maitland was not at home, the .
utler who opened the door at the Mid +
ands informed him, not having vet re- d
urned from business, but Miss Matt V
and was in the drawing-room ii he b
1ouid be pleased to walk that way; a
nd thither accordingly he directed his "
teps. AS he entered, q tall, fair girl of "
bout twenty-five rose from her seat at L
ne far end of the room, where she had
cen reading, avd advanced to meet h
i'm. n
She was very different from his an b
clpations, he thought, as he shook
ands with her. This was certainly not N
le common, gnifieant-looking girl is
had prepared himself to see. On 10
le contrary, she was infinitely more al
dyke. both in her appearance and