The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-22
THE EVENING STORY
The Passing of Jenny Wren.
(By Marina AlcCullough- Williams.)


ments in the Midvale Clarion" 1t
was for the most part mildly amusing,
though now and then there came a
spice of malice. Naturally there was
much curiosity among Clarion" read
ers as to the real name of Jenny Wren.
But Editor Blake only smiled at ques-
tons outright, and shook his head at
the willy ones who tried to trap him
into telling.
He was a good fellow, Editor Blake,
tall and thin, family stopped, and be-
ginning to grizzle. He kept away from
women, not through shyness, but be-
cause they bored him At least the
general mass of them did. There were
exceptions.
Because Beatrix Henry was the
youngest and far the prettiest Of these
exceptions. moreover, saucily bright.
and just the least bit spoiled, more
than half of Nidvale said she was
Jenny Wren and governed itself ac-
cordingly. Beatrix knew the fact
both as cause and effect. She was
asked everywhere. to everything,
would say, or the greater fear that she
would say nothing.
1t was puzzling, however. that Jen-
ny often passed over with a line occa-
sfons at which Beatrix had been al
most the bright. particular star: also
that functions from which she was
conspicuously absent were either
praised extravagantly or deity ridi-
culed.
Still. with every beau in town more
or less among her satellites, Beatrix
was in the way of knowing about al
most everything. Yet. for the would
be hunorists who addressed her in
public as Jenny Wren, she had a fine
scorn that in itself predicated inno-
cence. Moreover, was not Lily Greer
as bright, as popular and very much
moro given to sharp speeches than
she.
Tifv also disc1ained fanny xz-ren
ship. but. somehow, she did it less
convincingly. She, too, was among
Blake's exceptions-he dropped in to
see her for half hours in the late af-
done. And all this gave color of rea-
son to the public belief. The public
was firmly convinced it was one of the
two gfrls-mainly for the reason that
it could, according to its mind. be no
body else.
Beatrix and Lily did not love each
other. There were those who said Ed
itor Blake, despite his grizzlings, was
the cause OF the war However that
may have been. they were. in public,
so studiously civil to each other that
it was impossible to misunderstood
how the land lay. Jenny Wren never
mentioned either Of the young women.
This made a puzzling situation
Mfdvale never would have believed
it-but it was as much a puzzle to
Beatrix and Lily as to anybody else.
Next to Jenny Wren's identity, Mid
vale puzzled itself most as to what Ed
itor Blake did with his money. He
made the Clarion pay lts way-it
never did more-but aside from that
he had a tolerable competence. In
spite of this he lived very simply
saddle horses were his sole extrava-
gance. But his income went out of
the bank as steadily as it came in. He
neither spent nor gave 1t away, to Mid
Wales knowledge; he could not waste
it in riot since he stuck by his work
year in and year out Nor had he any
dependants-at least any visible ones
coming, as he did, from a rich fam
lily. He gave meagerly to town chari-
ties, so meagerly, indeed. that boards
of lady managers were his most hostile
critics.
Mrs. Light, head of the Improve
ment guild, said outright. in face of a
guild meeting, that he was distinctly
menace! She intimated by this that
his courage of illiberality kept the rest
of Midvale men from going down in
their pockets.
Keturah Scales, who, although she
sewed for living, belonged to every
share. smiled oddly to herself, but kept
usual. Lily Greer flushed an
grily, but was also silent.
Beatrix sprang up. with eyes light
ing wildly. UNLESS you take that
back she said, trying hard to speak
steadily, 81 will quit the guild-and so,
I think, will every other person who
hates tabbing in the dark"
Don't fly at me so f1ercely, Jenny
Wren!" Mrs. Light said, trying to
speak loosely, though she was frown-
ing. ct forgotI" significantly. "I will
take it back-on condition that you
ask all of us to the wedding"
"And ask Lily to be maid of honor"
Mrs. Jaynes vice president, added. She
did not love Lily. and wanted to drag
her in.
Beatrix gave them a long, steady
look. ct won't affect to misunderstood
me too much honor. I could not. If
marry Alison Blake-he is too
intent upon being the knight of all
women ever to think of being the hus-
band 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 a high. breathless voice: Amen!
come together and talk a little chari- |
ty and a heap Of scandal. and nag
men folks into giving money that you !
tool away. mostly-and Alison Blake |
goes his way. doing real good. Never |
mind how I know do know. I'm
less you let him alone. all Mfdvale |
shall know just what happens here
you won't like that! You won't last
Long after it is Known
"Indeedl Who is to make it known
You forget the guild obligation of
Mrs. Light said. trying to be
Keturah almost tossed her head. ct
xnow 1 can't tell it, but Jenny Wren
can," she cried in triumph, walking
coward the door
Beatrix was already there and Lily
close behind here. 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.
Il have things to tell you. You're
sweet and young. and Lord knows 1 |
1on't want you to grow up cats, like
the others