The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-16

When Waro DAVIS heard that her Jennie
Wright he smiled and said. 1T ought be Jennie
Wren" ----
He had noticed that she wore sober little gowns
70 class gowns which conuasted strangely with the
pnks and blues and heAotropes the other girls
She had sober manner, too, which was relieved
ny birdiike brightness, And she her sedate
danced and played cards, or ate shore dinners at
To Ward she seemed. in spite OF her intellectual
occupation closely allied to the he had known
in his childhood. She seemed the type who should
he busy about household things He glad when
ne alscoNered that her work in the winter was In
kindergarten There seemed an eternal fitness IN
the fact that she lived daily with little children. But
now and then the thought came to him that she would
be at her best grooming lullaby at her hearth
stone.
Such thoughts his head when he
made merry with the other grown-up scholars who
IL me pro1essions Most OF these other women were
bright scintilattng beautiful creatures who seemed
beautiful and brilliant intellectual machines,
whom no man could seek, because they would not
admit the need II masculine eompsnonship.
Ward Davis. having taught English to countless
students both in the summer and the winter schools
terest in Jennie Wright. Girls had come and gone.
and he had remained whole and fancy free.
had thought he would select a wife OF rare attain
ments. with culture and beauty He had made up
mis- mind that no teacher or teller should tempt him
from his ambitions, and this little Jennie Wren
was beginning to hold for him interest which
lie avoided her when she came to his
.Iasses' YET iate seemed to BRING them singularly
70 the college art gallery he tn find her
IN front ef mis- faNcrite pctureE. She spent hours
n the library digging among old hooks it
volume Of ancten ronkpv !, ned ~ a. ~ t,a
his idea of her domestic qualities.
ihat isn't in line with Your studies" he chidrd
her with a laugh in his eyes You ought to les
As her eyes laughed back he fell sudden thrill.
It was as # a wild bird had flashed past him. anl
had then hidden herself away in a thtcket.
! like cook books" she said. They my
solaoe when things at the boarding house go
end al gapHt --fsst ssa4z
omeht have been reFeling in recipe for Bruins
wick stew. Did you oneo"
Yes, indeed" Wards tome vas eager. My grand
father was mighty hunter and he would bring
squirrels and there We're always corn and green
pers and onions 10 make 1t savory and tomatoes 10
add the final finish to its favor"
She laughed lou positively make poem of IT,"
Look here he urged ooyishiy Il know place.
a short ride away where We can re, Brunsuirk stew
after our family recipe An old nurse Of mine
Keeps the place and she would be delighted have
II ready II / telephone ahead
Her glance reminded him. than ever Of a
startled bird. Why / couldn't she said. then
she added stlth&--Ha' think
Ward wanted to say that he thought her charming.
with the hush her cheeks. and with her kindling
eyes. no it Wouldn't do. He felt that nat
terry would be dstastefu TO her. and that she would
fly away,
Please" he urged again, but she her head.
Il have SO much to do" she pleaded
Never having been thwarted. Ward made UP hia
mind that some day should GO with him but he
bided his time And, before he knew it. he
wooing his little Jennie Wren like gallant Robin
Redbreast
lie was deeply. profoundly in love for the first
time He felt stirring in his heart all the prmevai
instincts, He wanted home with this in
IT. He wanted future in which this little
him sustaining him He smiled ne analyzed his
feeling Il thought / lcnged for Of gay
pIumage. hut | htted my quiet
tastes and love OF homely happiness. unite with
society woman than is a plain robin to join his
fortunes TO a humming bird
His of protection made him to sur
round her with every safeguard, and when day.
upon the campus, he found her being badgered by
a group of gay young students hts blood boiled.
Behind screen Of vines he sat the porch
the old library and heard them tease her about him.
They had read his secret before her modesty would
permit her to understand. and now they taxing
her with It,
Little mouse said gay girl in blue. TO think
that you should carry of the prize"
Jennies inquiring glance from
face to another. WHY haven't any prize
she said b pr Wh@' se s xr IN b.. explained
US set our caps for the professor and now have
"oh. Jennie's face famed but / hayen't-why,
who ever thought of such thing
He did and we did" chanted the girl in blue.
Oh You blind little mouse And away they went.
Ward dared not approach her as she stood alone
must feel to have had her affairs talked about by
irroverent tongues.
But that afternoon he sought her out You re-
fused my Invitation once" he said graveiy. TO 20
to my old nurses. Please don't refuse me now~-T
with new sef-consciousness upon her she oroored
Please don't ask me, she protested. IL think
I ought not to co.
because of what those girls said to YOU on the
porch this morning.
Yes
And it is And II is because of that that
want TO carry you off with me this afternoon want
to talk II with you--may I. Jennie Wren?''
Suddenly she enveloped by the jov OF his love
for her. "Oh, yes" she Eaid breathiessly. "IH he
giad-to talk 1t over,
In the dim. cool dining OF the Old ,arn,-
house, where the air was sweet with the fragrance
OF honeysuckie. Ward told her the story Of his
ening II need such woman as you tn complete
my iife.'' he said. II need the comfort CT YOU tho
quiet content that your presence gives me. the rest
the peace. the joy OF Your gentle wtmanbood." lie
smiled whimscay. do know the words af the
cid song: Will you have me. Jennie Wren?'"
And Jennie. nursery rhyme tradition whis-
pered Yea" Nj