Year: 1862

" You may be sure that 1 will do the best l
can for you, Hattie, but you must first tell me
what it isl


We'll, the society ladies' yesterday made


me promise to ask you question, a very i'm


pertinent one, am sure you will say, when


you hear it"


Mrs jenkins countehance cleared. rs


that all, you silly child ?" she said why,
I thought it was something terriblel But do
pray tell me what the question is I am very
curious to know"


They want to know, said Hattie hesita-
tingly, " why you didn't marry DR.. Wells2--
They will have it that he has turned out some
dreadful character, pirate, robber, to say
the least; and that you have found it out and
dismissed him."


Mrs. Jenkins expressive countenance ss she
heard this, underwent various changes; first
she looked astonished, then indignant, then
she colored and then smiled.


al hope you are not angry, said Hattie in
some trepidation, as Mrs. Jenkins made no re-
ply, "I promised to ask you, so I thought
must But you needn't tell me, indeed I hope
you won't. I don't see why it should be any
Of their business, and I'm sure it's none of
mine"


'I am not in the least angry with you, Hat
tie" said the widow smiling. "Though I
should advise you not to be so hasty, another
time, in giving your promise, inasmuch as this
occasioned you so much uneasiness, you may
tell these ladies, that will invite them to take
tea at my house tomorrow afternoon and that
I will then and there answer that important
question, trust, to their entire satisfaction.
You may come, too, Hattie" she added, as
the young girl caught up her hat preparatory
to making a hasty exit.


This message was received by the aforesaid
ladies' with mingled surprise and sel-congrat-
ulation. With surprise, because Mrs Jenkins
had, hitherto, stood steadily aloof from the so
ciety; because she had been so uncharitable
as to declare it to be nothing but "school
for scandal, and that it accomplished far more
mischief than good. With self-congratulation,
because they felt, to use Miss Wormwoods
felicitous expression, that something was
coming now that would astonish some folks"


The next day at the appointed hour found
them all quietly seated in Mrs Jenkins pleas
ant little parlor.


Mrs. Jenkins received them with her usual
amiability. Indeed, she was more than usual
ly sociable, and seemed to be particularly de-
sirous of making her guests feel perfectly at
home But there was a certain conStraint in
their manner, but especially in their tongues,
which were more than usually quiet, and their
minds seemed to be solemnly impressed with
the important disclosure that was about to be
made. Every time their hostess opened her
mouth to speak all eyes were fixed upon her
in eager expectancy, and as there fell from her
lips some casual remark, as far as possible from
the subject of their thoughts, their disappoint-
'ment was evident


But the widow seemed to be quiet uncon-
scous of all this She looked as cool and COM
Portable in her simple white muslin, laughed
as gaily and chatted as though there was no
such a person as Dr. Wells in existence, and
nothing in the mystery Of his disappearance
that she was expected to clear up.


The afternoon wore slowly away, and Mrs
Jenkins led her guests out to the supper table,
whose bountifully spread board seemed to
have benign effect upon those for whom it
was provided.


As they seated themselves around it, and
slipped the fragrant nectar, vulgarly called rea,
their hearts began to expand under its genial
influence, and they all commenced with one
accord, to praise the light and crisp biscuits
the spicy loaf cakes, the delicious custards and
preserves, &c, which they severally declared
were the best they had ever tasted. All of
which were made by the small, white hands
of their hostess, who was notable little house |
keeper, and though she kept one servant, gen
orally spent part of each morning in the
kitchen.


The pretty widow bore the honors very
meekly; though she did not, in accordance
with the time-honored custom, declare, that
there was nothing on the table ftto eat, and
that she was really afraid that none of them
would be able to make out supper"


But the supper, like all sublunary joys, came
to an end at last, and the whole party adjourn
ed to the parlor. As soon as they seated
themselves, a deep silence reigned, for they
perceived by the widows look and manner
that she was about to speak


This time Mrs. jenkins did not disappoint
them. Ladies, she said, in a tone that in
stantly secured their attention, "I have un-
derstood that you are all very anxious to
know why I haven't married Dr. Wells
Have been correctly informed?"


Yes, my dear Mrs jenkins" said Miss
Dorthy Wormwood, who, being President of
the " society" and " accustomed to speak in
public, volunteered to become spokesman for
the rest, "you are. Not from motives Of Gu
riosity, oh, no, we are above such feelings, but
because we are anxious that the villain should
be unmasked who has so basely deceived us.
That in case he should return, which God for
bid, he should not be allowed to desecrate
with his unholy presence our virtuOus and
peaceful homes


Having given vent to this burst of eloquence
The amiable spinster leaned back in the chair,