West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1886-03-12
BROUGHT TO TERMS.
Why Coy Jennie Finally Named
the Day"

\ dclugc OF steam and strong odor
OF burning sugar greeted the entrance
OF John Kerr into the farmhouse
kitchen on sultry September after
noon Jumper the Watchdog. un-
needing his masters greeting, bolted
through the doorway 10 escape the hot
shower of berry-juice, while poor pus-
sy, not so fortunate, was dancing a
dainty quickstcp To her own musical
accompaniment suddenly trans
formed by hot splashcs of fruit into "A
semblancc of her feline cousin. the
leopard. young girl, flushed and
frantic, was strugg ling to remove the
Kettle Of boiling preserves, of which
her brothers strong hand quickly re-
licved her
oh John she exclaimed. with
painting breath. I'm all a-bubblc. lust
like the preserves.
Then, catching up the big gray cat.
she began briskly rubbing lis bespat-
tered fur.
"Whcn will this coufoundcd muss be
over Jennie? For nearly three weeks
we've been picked. canned aud pre-
served, until every thing seems to taste
and smell of spice, sugar and vinegar.
Arcn YOU afraid YOU have undertaken
too much while mothers away?'
'Not "t all | have been very par
ucular TO follow my recipes. Mrs.
Sadie Cooper ha, given me some useful
hints, and Lave a little judgment of
my own. But YOU have a letter; when
will mother be- home? Such long
visit! But what lot | have done
since she went away
" Yes said John, dryly, glancing
at the floor, where pussy now sat, Law
ing her wounds with an expression of
melancholy reproach i'm her large,
celcstial-looking eyes, then reading
from the letter i'm his hand:
VIII reach the city at midnight.
Don fail 10 meet me there"
Why, that is tonight Bless her
heart. she's coming at last, But. John.
u such long drive. You will not
get back before tomorrow and-and
We are expecting company, you know,
this evening
" We are not expecting company.
little sister / don't think Tom Max
well will notice my absence And l
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
.ca. for must be off
Oh. dear, / wish / could 90. too!
Tell Sadie she must not fail TO come.
won't stay here without her.
John and Jennie Kerr were the only
children of a widow, owning and man
aging the comfortable dairy farm upon
which they had been born. Mrs. Kerr
had been visiting an only sister. living
IN distant city, and during her alb
sence Jennie had made some wonder
tul housekeeping experiments, with a
view to entering 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 be-
trOthal, and he had vowed to have it
settled tefore their engagement entered
its second year
Jennie had declared she would not
be badgered into any thing she would
die first; and knowing her lover, she
felt a strange forcboding for tonight
John drove off i'm the old family car
riage: and by the time the untidy htch-
ON was put TO rights. Mrs Cooper
arrived with her baby and her matronly
dignity. and Jennie felt somewhat re-
assured.
She tied back her yellow curls with n
blue ribbon the color Of her shy droOp-
ing eyes and met her lover, who APP
pcarcd promptly at eight, the curves Of
her scarlet lips marked by sharp line
that indicated the frmnoss Of her res0-
lutiOn.
Tom Maxwell played with the baby
AVID kept up q light, running CONVERSE
ton. until che little one becoming fret
iuI. Mrs. Cooper. i'm spite Of Jennie's
romOnstrances. made 10 an excuse 10
retire.
But her absence did not alter his
manner in the least He chattcd away
upon every imaginable subject until the
clock struck eleven. then. stopping
suddenly iu the middle Of some cav
bandinagc hc said
Jennie, 10 lacks just one hour Of
midnight You know my decision.
Wnon win YOU marry mop"
Utter silence followed this question
- ann waiting for your answer he
said. zoo last
shall not hinder YOU from wait
lng, declared Jennie, q ring Of war in
her tones.
90 shall wait no longer than
" There. that viii DO You need walt
ro longcrr'
lul here jennie succccucd iu feeling
much abused. and after some
sAaIp bitter words the usual yocabu-