The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-08-17

brilliantly.
 The negress' head sank lower on her breast and she heaved 6 hopeless sigh "You might jes' we'll talk bout turnn' de ribber from Its couse e ter 'spcctr change ole Marse's tentions-An' fo' de Lawd, Miss Jimmie, honey, ain't got no 'pinion, leastways no morn jes' sed."
 "Well, Aunt Charity" replied the girl mourn fully, something may happen before then, and and the wedding may not come off," Then she re- commenced sobbing and fled in the direction of the house.
 "Trouble there" muttered Leonard, with in- dignation. "I must inquire into his." Thus 1t was not long before he learned that Jennie Leslie was orphan left in care of Col. Thomas Emmett, who, as her guardian, was about to force her into an obnoxious marriage with 6 wealthy Cuban. About that time accident occurred to the young northerner which altered his entire life. While driving he was thrown from a buggy almost directly in front of Col. Emmett's gate and was carried into the house in unconscious condition during the masters temporary absence. When Col. Emmett returned and found the young man raving in delirium and likely to be . fixture for some time he was in towering rage.
 Later in the evening, while Aunt Charity was administering to the sick mans wants, Fernando NuneZ, Jennies suitor, arrived. When the young girl was told of his presence great disgust filled her heart, and she turned ghastly white even to her lips. "God will not help me-" she moaned as she descended the stairs in to her guardian bidding, going directly to the large dining room where she found waiting not only Colonel Emmett
 
 Jennie advanced in the room without addressing Nunez, although he smiingly went to meet her, stroking his crisp, curling black beard and gazing at her with an amorous warmth in his bead like orbs My beautiful bride," he said, ruddy tinge flushing his swarthy checks
 The young girl shuddered as his warm, sticky hand touched hers. She glanced appealingly at her guardian, then her head bent down upon her bosom and her hands locked convulsively in front of her as she drew reassurance from his gloomy c0n ntQna TaE how oA asl Ana nounced that the marriage ceremony which would make her the wife of Nunez would occur at once Jennie's heart gave a sudden leap, then seemed to stop its beats She was one struck dumb almost petrifed with fright and surprise She hated Nunez. She had only known i'll of him, things SO brutal and evil that they shocked and shamed her, yet she could see no way to help herself. I will not she had said with closed teeth to her guardian but he had almost driven her mad with his fierce temper, so in few minutes they were married, Jennie answering the responses like one in trance, not daring to hesitate.
 When the ceremony was over, the minister, who could see nothing wrong but that the bride was very young and pale, congratulated the welded pair and went on his way rejoicing his heart lighter and his purse heavier with Nunez' gold. Alter he had gone Colonel Emmett and Nunez were about seating themselves at 6 table where there were strong stimulaDts when there was e noise in the hall near the open door, the sound of light footsteps and old Charity came forward. A lamp burning on the table lit up the bare, whitened walls, the uncarpeted floor and stiff cane seated chairs. Its futile rays fell on the nervous crouch ing figure of Jennie in her faded pink calico dress, and the burly forms of the two men. There had been fire in the wide mouthed fireplace, as the air damp, but 1t had burned itself out, and the hearth was now a scattered mass of dying embers, casting their red glow on the floor and especially falling on the left hand of Nunez as it hung down at his side toying with the rounds of his chair His back was towards the door and he did not sec the old darkey as she stood beckoning to her mistress with few dumb signs. Something in the tone of Nunez' voice must have attracted Aunt Charity's eyes and her gaze immediately sought his hand over which the fickering freight played, showing that the little finger was missing. In an instant she screamed and ran to him clapping her hands