The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-02-06
WHAT BROUGHT HER TO TERMS

A deiuge ot steam and strong odor of burning sugar greeted the entrance of John Kerr into the farm house kitchen on a sultry September afternoon. Jumper, the watch dog, unheeding his masters greeting, bolted through the open door way to escape the hot shower of berry juice, while poor pussy, not so fortunate, was dancing dainty quickstep to her own musical accompanlment-suddenly transformed by hot splashes of fruit into a senblance of her feline cousin, the leopard. A young girl, flushed and fran tic, was struggling to remove the kettle of boiling preserves, of which her broth CTS strong hand quickly relieved her.
 "Oh, John," she exclaimed, with a panting breath, Pm all a.bubble, just like the preserves"
 Then, catching up the big gray cat, she began briskly rubbing its bespattered fur.
 "When will this confounded mess be we've been pickled, canned and pre- served, until everything seems to taste and smell of spice, sugar and vinegar. Aren't you afraid you have undertaken too much while mothers away~
 "Not at all. I've been very particular to follow my recipes. Mrs. Sadie Cooper has given me some useful hints, and have little judgment of my own But you have letter; when will mamma be home2 Such along visit But what a lot have done since she went away "
 Yes" said John, dply, glauciug at the floor where pussy now sat laying her wounds with an expression of melancholy reproach in her large, celestial looking eyes, then reading from the letter in his hand:
 "Will reach the city at midnight. Don't fail to meet me there"
 "Why, that is tonight. Bless her heart, she's coming at lastl But John, it's such long drivel You will not get back before to-morrow-and-and we are expecting company, you know, thls even ing"
 "We are not expecting company, little sister, dont'think Tom Max yell will notice my absence. And will stop and get Mrs. Cooper to come over and stay with you until morning. Her husband won't mind keeping house one night alone; so make me cup of tea, for must be off,"
 "Oh, dear, wish could go, too Tell Sadie she must not fail to come. won't stay here without her."
 John and Jennie Kerr were the only children of widow owning and manag- ing the comfortable dairy farm upon which they had been born. Mrs. Kerr had been visiting an only sister, living in a distant city, and during her absence Jennie had made some wonderful house. keeping experiences, with view to enter ing an establishment of her own in the near future. But she loved her happy home, was coy and willful, and persisted in her refusal to name the wedding day.
 Her lover had grown impatient; to- night was the anniversary of their betroth- al, and he had vowed 10 have it settled before their engagement entered its second year.
 Jennie had declared she would not be badgered into anything-she would die first and knowing her lover, she felt a strange foreboding for tonight.
 John drove of in the old family car riage and by the time the untidy kitchen was carefully put to rights, Mrs. Cooper arrived with her baby and her matronly dignity, and Jennie felt somewhat reAs- sared.
 She tied back her yellow curls with a blue ribbon-the color of her shy, droop- ing eyes-and met her lover, who ap- peared promptly at eight, the curves of her scarlet lips marked by a sharp line that indicated the frmness of her resolu- ton.
 Tom Maxwell played with the baby and kept up light, running conversa- ten, until the little one becoming fretful. Mrs. Cooper, in spite of Jennie's remon- strances, made it an excuse to retire.
 But her absence did not alter. his man. ner In the least. He chatted away upon every imaginable subject until the clock in the middle of some gay oadinage, he said:
 "Jennie, it lacks just one hour of mid night You know my decision. When will you marry me"
 Uner silence followed this question.
 (" am waiting for your answer" he said, at last.
 shall not hinder you from waiting" declared Jennie, a ring of war in her tones.
 "l shall wait no longer than"
 "Therei that will do. You need wal: no longer
 And here Jennie succeeded in feeling very much abused, and after some sharp, bitter words-the usual vocabulary of a lovers quarrel-she angrily tore the en- gagement ring fiom her finger, and haughtily dismissed the one who had dared to suggest that there might be such thing as mems rights.
 He offered to remain in the house un- til morning but she scorned his prof. Sered protection, and he could do nothing but leave her, saying:
 "Y You will be sorry for this, Jennie"
 "I will call you back when l get sorry," she said, lightly.
 And bidding her goodnight, he was gone.
 Then, and not till then, did she realize