Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-05-30
HENNIKERS DOWNFALL.

y
distasteful to Frank Henniker Like
most men, no matter how EAST he
had looked forward in his inner heart
to time in the future when he should
find woman who truly loved him and
should settle down into quiet life and
be very happy; and this ideal tho
thought of marrying for money dissi-
pated. That it would be possible for
hlm so to do he had not the slightest
doubt. Without being conceited lie yet
knew that he was more than toleraOly
good-looking, gentleman and pos
sessed of manners and bearing that in-
sured him, at any rate among the
younger members OF his acquaintance,
a 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 bis own--to marry 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 namby-
pamby sentiment. Ruin was staring
him in the face, and disgrace was moi
so very far behind but that he could sec
the coming shadow There could be
no doubt about it; he must marry for
money. Disagreeablc as the physic
was it must be taken, and upon whom
should his choice fall?
Cogitating thus within himself, his
eye fell upon a letter in rack above
the chimney-piece, the address of which
was written in pretty feminine hand.
Surely here was the very thing! That
same morning he had received an invi-
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 widower, ant
had an only child, daughter Thought
fully Henniker opened the letter ant
read it through. The contents rar
thus:
THE MIDLANps, DIDsBuRY, May IA, IS.
DEAR MIR. HENNIKER: Papa, for whom
nm acting as secretary, wishes to know If yol
will do us the pleasure of spending whitsun
tide here. He understood, i think, from wha
you snid when he was in town, that you wer,
not engaged for that season. If you will lc
us know when and by what train we may cN
poet you, the carriage shall meet you ut til,
station. Papa sends his kind regards an,
hopes you VIII come. Believe me, yours yer,
truly. LILY MAiTLAND."
Lilly" mused Henniker, as he lait
down the letter-'a pretty name Ant
it is nice ladylike hand she writes.
wonder what she is like? just the op
posite of the name, dare say--a short
stout, awkward girl with large re,
hands and tremendous feet, who blushe
fearfully whenever she is addressed ant
hasn't word to say for herself it j
not difficult to understand what tn
daughter of an uncultivated cotton
spinner, brought up under the extreme
ly refining influence of Manchester so
society, will be like. Or perhaps she i
one OF the loud school, bold and mas
culine, perfect boy in petticoats
There's something rather free and eas,
about the letter, now come to thinl
of it, though it is written so nicely
However, as have decided that she i
to be my future wife, it is scarcely wis
to pull her to pieces. Pm in for th
race now, and it would only be the ac
OF very foolish man to depreciate th,
price and, pulling writing-cas
towards him, lie hastily wrote an nc
ceptance of Mr.. Maitland's kind invita-
tion, promising to be in Manchester oil
the day but one afterwards.
1t was with no very pleasant feel
feelings that Frank Henniker travele,
down from Euston on the day appointed
Mr.. Maitland was not at home, tn,
butler who opened the door at the Mid
lands informed him, not having yet re
turned from business, but Miss Matt
land was in the drawing-room, if h,
would be pleased to walk that way
and thither accordingly he directed hi
steps. As he entered, u tall, fair girl o
about twenty-five rose from her seat a
the far end of the room, where she hat
been reading, and advanced to NEE
him.
She was very different from his an
ticipations, he thought, as he shool
hands with her. This was certainly no
the common, insigniiicant-looking Cir
he had prepared himself to see. Or
the contrary, she was infinitely moro
ladylike, both in her appearance anG
manner, than many of the aristocratit
friends he had left in London, and she
had one of the sweetest faces he though
lie had ever seen. With easy grace she
bade him welcome to the house, excus
ing her fathers absence as matter o.
necessity, and then she resumed hci
seat and they entered into conversation
Instinctively during it all Henniker fell
that her clear, brown eyes were scruti
nizing him closely, that she was. as il
were, summing him up aud making 8
mental estimate OF his value. He begar
TO take an interest in the girl, and the
more so because he felt that he hac
previously done her an injustice.
The butler came in presently TO show
Henniker to his room, and, when the
young man went back, he found Mis-.
Maitland with her hat and jacket on.
81 thought you would perhaps lik,
to look round the grounds if you ar,
not too tired with your journey" sh,
said.
He answered that he should be onl,
too pleased, and they at once SAILED
out together.
Going along she gave him little de
scriptlons OF the neighborhood, showed
him her canine pets, the horses, G
cetera. and did her best to entertain
him. Henniker found himself lstcnin,
in way that he could hardly have be
lieged possible. The girl had wonder
easy and unaffected, so thoroughly un
conscious that she was beautiful an,
stylish, so different from the parrot girl
OF society whom he had previously met
and yet so completely their equal in th
finer attributes of good society. in grac
and refinement, with tenfold NOR
depth OF character and cultivation. tina
Henniker enjoyed his walk as he ha
never enjoyed any walk before. He u
most forgot that his companion wa
only an uncaltivated eotton-spinner'
daughter
II was about five o'clock when the
had finished their rounds and tea wa
served in the drawing-room. Hennike