Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-05-10
HENNIKER's DOWNFALL.
From the Family Herald.

From the Family Herald
The idea of marrying for money was distaste-
full to Frank Henniker. Like most men. no
matter how fast" he had looked forward In his
inner heart 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
Tor money dissipated. That it would be possible
Tor him so to do he had not the slightest doubt.
Without being conceited he yet knew that he
was more than tolerably good-looking, gen.
tieman and possessed Of manners and bearing
that insured 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 dis
position that would be thoroughly cOngenial to
his own-tO marry girl who in all probability
would not have single thought or feeling in
common with him-this was indeed a 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 tar behind but
that he could see the coming shadow. There
could be no doubt about it; he must marry for
money. Dsagreeahle as the physic was it
must be taken, and upon whom should his
choice fall?
COgitating thus within himself his eve fell
upon letter in a rack above the chimney piece
tHc VI WHICH was Written IN pretty
feminine hand. Surely here was the very thing!
| That same morning he had received an invita-
ton from an exceedingly wealthy cotton spin
ner in Manchester, to whom he had recently had
| the opportunity of being of some service in
town. asking him to spend Whitsuntide with
hlm. This cotton spinner was widOwer, and
had an only child, a daughter Thoughtfully
Henniker opened the letter and read it through.
The contents ran thus
"IHB MrDLANDs, DIDsBURY, May IA, 49,.
"DEAR Mr. HENNIKER: Papa, for whom am act
ing as secretary, wishes to know II you will do us
the pleasure OF spending WhitSuntfde here. He I'M
derStood, think, from what you said when he was
IN town, that you were not engaged for that sea.
son. III you will let us know when and by what
train we may expect you, the carriage Shall meet
you at the station Papa sends his Kind regards,
ana hopes you Will come. Believe me yours, very
truly, LILY MAITLAND"
Lily" unused Henniker, as he laid down the
letter-''a pretty name. And it is nice lady
like hand she writes. l wonder what she is
like? Just the opposite 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
word to say for herself: it is not difficult to
understand what the daughter of an unculti-
waited cotton-spinner, brought up under the ex
tremely refining influence of Manchester society,"
will be like. Or perhaps she is one of the loud
school, bold and masculine. a perfect boy in
petticOats. There's something rather free and
easy about the letter, now come to think Of
1T, though it is written so nicely. However. as
i have decided that she Is to be nv future wife
it Is scarcely wise to pull her to pieces. I'm in
tor the race now, and 1t would only be the act
OF very foolish man to depreciate the prize"
and, pulling writing case towards him. he
hastily wrote an acceptance of Mr.. Maitland's
kind invitation, promising to be in Manchester
on the day but one afterwards
1t was with no very pleasant 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 Midlands Informed him
not having yet returned from business. but Miss
Maitland was in the drawng-room, if he would
be pleased to walk that way; and thither accord
lngly 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 authorizations,
he thought, as he shook hands with her. This
was certainly not the common insignificant
looking girl he had prepared himself to see. On
the contrary, she was infinitely more ladylike
both in her appearance and manner, than many
of the arlstOcratic friends he had left in London
and she had one of the sweetest faces he thought
he had ever seen. With easy grace she babe
MIN welcome to the house excusing her fathers
absence as matter OF necessity and then she
resumed her seat and they entered into CONVEX
satlon. lnstinctively during 1t all Henniker
felt that her clear brown eyes were scrutinlZng
him closely, that she was. as it were summing
Hin up anu making u 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 Han
mixer to his room, and. when the Young man
went back lie found Miss Maitland with her hat
and jacket on
81 thought yOn 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 descriptions
OF the neighbOrhOOd, showed him her canine
pets, the horses, ct cetera and did her best to
entertain him. Henniker found himself listen
ing in way that he could hardly have believed
possible. The girl had wonderfully attractive
manner. She was so easy and unaffected so
thoroughly unconscious that she was beautiful
and stylish. so different from the parrOtgirls of
society whom he had previously met, and yet SO
completely their equal In the finer attributes of
good society, in grace and refinement, with ten
fold more depth of character and cultivation
that Henniher enjoyed his walk as he had never
enjoyed any walk before He almost forgot that
his companion was only an uncultivated cotton
spnner's daughter
1t was about o'clock when they had finished
their rounds and tea was served in the drawing
room Hennker was surprised. 1t seemed
that these Manchester people lived like other
folk and were as wel-bred in their habits as
the friends he had left in London. At dinner,
TOO, there Was none OF Iflttt gorgeous display
OF plate that he had been led to expect Every
thing was conducted quietly and unostenta-
tousiy- MIR. Maitland perhaps. to those who
did not know him. was the blot upon the scene
He certainly was trifle vulgar. But his
friends lost sight of this in their warm appre-
citation OF his sterling gOOd-nature. No better
hearted, more gcnerOuS-minded man than
Walter Maitland ever lived. Originally the
salesman in small warehouse in Spring Gar
dens. he had. by dint of steady industry and
unWearying perseverance, raised himself to his
present position among the most honofed of
Manchester merchants: but, unlike the majority
of men who have risen solely through their own
eXertiOns, his success had not made him AFRO
giant and self-aSsertive. nor was he i'm the habit
of Boosting of his achievement. He knew that,
comparatively speaking, he was an ignorant
man and he was not ashamed to own 1t: but he
never did so ObtruSNely. Kind to fault.
always willing to assist any one i'm distress in
nOcent as child in many of the worlds ways,
wearing his heart upon his sleeve, and as un-
affected as the day on which he was born, Wal
ter Maitland. to those who knew him, was
man to respect, to honor. and to love.
Unfortunately Frank Henniker did not know
him, and he was obliged to Judge him BY out
ward appearance. He felt strongly that this
old gentleman who sat at the head Of the table.
who laughed so loudly and so heartily at his
own jokes, who often dropped his 'h's'' and
mispronOunced his words. was a very vulgar
being. HennIker had been brought up in an
exclusive set. with whom faults of breeding
were iniquties that could never be atOned tor
even by the best qualities Of disposition At
dinner. uncOnsciously to himself. he could not