The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1910-08-18
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The Passing of Jenny Wren
BY Martha Nc ch-WiIliam


not, IL would, marry Allison Blake
he is too intent upon being the knight
of all women ever to think of being
the husband of one."
"Amen!" Keturah said It, and rev.
erently-Keturah, who had never be,
fore raised her voice in public.
She had risen. Now she continued
In high, breathless voice: amen!
and amen! tell you. You women
come together and talk little charity
and heap Of scandal, and nag men
folks into giving money that you fool
away, mostly-and Alison Blake goes
his way, doing real good. Never mind
how | KNOW do know. Unless you
let him alone. all Midvale shall know
just what happens here-you won't
like that! You won't last LONG after
1t is known"
Indeed! Who Is to make It known
You forget the guild obligation of ST.
lence," Mrs. Light said, trying to be
whitening.
Keturah almost tossed her head. II
know | can't tell 1t. but Jenny Wren
can." she cried in triumph. walking
toward the door.
Beatrix was already there and Lily
close behind her. Both were crying.
Outside they turned and held out
hands to each other.
Keturah nodded approval Come
on home with me, you two" she said.
81 have things to tell you. You're
MI
don't want you to grow up cats. like
the others"
In her small, stuffy room she told
them. "You know Alison Blake a lit
tie bit-how every man and boy that
works for him gets little beyond liv-
Ing wages. But you don't know that
he's paying better than living wages
to the folks that work for the Cres-
cent-writers, picture makers, print
ers and all. Cash on the nail, too.
No, he doesn't own 1t. A young fellow
he likes started 1t and got in deep wa
ter. Alison pulled him out, and has
stood behind him since. He insists
that the Crescent will make them both
rich In the end. II 1t does | know
where the money'll go-into helping
the folks that need help whether or
not they deserve It,"
How do you know so much?" Lily
asked.
why! take the money up to
town! Midvale thinks l go there
after fashions. Lord, IL 1t knew"
"But how did you get into it?" Lily
persisted.
Keturah eyed her for minute, her,
sallow cheeks flushing family. Now
I've told you so much 'tain't worth
while to keep anything back" she
said. you see, came to understand,
him in our getting together over Jen-
ny Wren.'
Jenny Wren!" Lily repeated la
credulously. you are not-you can't
be"
81 amt" Keturah said with a sly
smile. But | am-as much as any1
body except Alison himself. You see.
was in debt hundred dollars on
account of death and sickness, and J.,
hadn't got any out, working five years.
1t made me desperate tried to write
something-verses, you know. Alison
pays for all he prints. He didn't,
print my verses, but they brought us
together, and he hatched up the plan
to tell him the things Jenny ought
to know about, and let him see how
women thought and all, and he'd put
'em down. And he paid me $40 a
week for Just that. and as he come
to know I was trusty got me to help
with the other things. Now I'm debt
free and have money enough to buy
wedding clothes. Silas and have
waited fifteen years for that"
Lily and Beatrix looked at each
other through swimming eyes, and
went away silently. walking close to-
gether.
At the corner Lily turned, saying
timidly: you'll soon be making your
wedding clothes. Bee. Mr.. Blake
asked me last night II he might dare
tell you how he loved you"
What did you tell him." Bee asked,
very low.
Lily laughed softly. THAT 1t would
not be the least bit daring" she said.
Hurry up the wedding. please. 1t
must come off before the passing OF
Jenny Wren. or Midvale will feel bit
terly defrauded."