The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-05-30
HENNIKER'S DOWNFALL.

most men, no matter how "fasC." 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 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 yet
knew that he was more than tolerably
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,
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 his 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 not
so very far behind but that he could see
the coming shadow. There could be
mo doubt about it; he must marry for
money. Disagreeable 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, and
had an only child, daughter. Thought
fully Henniker opened the letter and
read it through. The contents ran
thus:
THE MIDLANDs, DIDSBURY, May IA. 18-
DEAR MR.. HENNIKER: Papa, for whom
am acting as secretary, wishes to know if you
VIII do us the pleasure of spending Whitsun-
tide here. He understood, / think, from what
you said when he was in town, that you were
not engaged for that season. If you will let
us know when and by what train we may ex-
peot you, the carriage shall meet you at the
station Papa sends his kind regards and
truly, LILY MAITLAND."
Lilly" unused Henniker, as he laid
down the letter-''a pretty name! And
it is nice ladylike hand she writes. I
wonder what she is like? Just the op-
posite of the name, l dare say-a short,
stout, awkward girl with large red
hands and tremendous feet, who bushes
tearfully whenever she is addressed and
hasn't word to say for herself; it is
not difficult to understand what the
daughter of an uncultiyated cotton
spinner, brought up under the extreme
ly refining influence of Manchester So
society, will be like. Or perhaps she is
one OF the loud school, bold and mas
culine, a 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 l have decided that she is
to be my future wife, it is scarcely wise
to pull her to pieces. Pm in for the
race now, and it would only be the act
OF very foolish man to depreciate the
prizes and, pulling writing-case
towards him, lie hastily wrote an ac-
ceptance of Mr., Maitland kind invita-
tion, promising to be in Manchester on
the day but one afterwards.
1t was with no very pleasant feel
feelings that Frank Henniker travelled
down from Euston on the day appointed.
Mr.. Maitland was not at home, the
butler who opened the door at the Mid
lands informed him, not having vet re-
turned from business, but Miss Matt
land was in the drawing room, If he
would be pleased to walk that way;
and thither accordingly he directed his
steps. AS he entered, tall, fair Girl of
about twenty-five rose from her seat at
the far end of the room, where she had
been reading, and advanced to meet
him.
She was very different from his an
ticipations, he thought, as he shook
hands with her. This was certainly not
the common, ignificant-loolxing Girl
The had prepared himself to see. On
the contrary, she was infinitely more
aadylke, both in her appearance and
manner, than many of the aristocratic
friends he had left in London, and she
had one of the sweetest faces he thought
he had ever seen. With easy grace she
bade him welcome to the house. excus-
lng her fathers absence as matter of
necessity, and then she resumed her
seat and they entered into conversation.
dnstinctively during it all Henniker felt
that her clear, brown eyes were scruti-
MIXING him closely, that she was, as it
were, summing him UP and making a
mental estimate of his value. He began
TO take an interest in the girl, and the
more so because he felt that he had
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 Miss
Maitland with her hat and Jacket on.
81 thought you would perhaps like
to look round the grounds if you are
not too tired with your Journey" she
said
He answered that he should be only
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, ct
cetera, and did her best to entertain
him. Henniker found himself listening
an way that he could hardly have be-
lieved possible. The girl had wonder
fully attractive manner. She was so
easy and unaffected, so thoroughly I'M
conscious that she was beautiful and
stylish, so different from the parrot-girAs
of society whom he had previously met,
and yet so completely their equal in the
liner attributes of good society, in grace
and refnempnt with tnnfa1d T,0ra
depth OF character and cultivation. that
Henniker enjoyed his walk as he had
never enjoyed any walk before. He al
most forgot that his companion was
only an uncaltivated cotton-spinner's
daughter.
1t was about five o'clock when they
had finished their rounds and tea was
served in the drawing-room, Henniker