The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-09-24
"But for such very, o~y importAnt
as this smirked Miss Areth-

occasion as this" smirked Miss Are-h-
asa. &e W. w
ave neverhav any important occa-
yions," laughed Jessie. "Look, Miss
Blythe, do you think my pansy petal is
IS deep purple as the original2"
And when the three old maids had, at
last, taken their departure, Jessie looked
ut her mother in amazement mingled
with mirth. yFs settn
Mamma" said she. "what do those
old women meanp"
II think, DEAR" said Mrs. Mordaunt,
shat they are the least bit unsettled
In their minds-just q little crazy, you
know"
And the Misses Blythe went away, ex-
changing mysterious glances, and whis-
pering to each other:
"They can not deceive usF'
The Misses Blythe tcld everybody
they could think of-always in strict con-
tidence, Of course. Everybody repeated
1t to everybody else, and by Friday
evening the train to Walkley Station
was full
To Miss Betsey Blythe's infinite dis
appointment, the Smith house, pretty,
old-fashioned mansion with pillared
front, garden full OF clipped box mon
stroslties, and an octagonal conserva-
tory, built out from the south end, was
not lighted up after any extraordinary
fashion. Mrs Smith, Harold's mother,
o dimpled old lady, in white lace cap
and cleaning gold spectacle-glasses,
was knitting, half asleep, when the
three Misses Blythe were ushered in,
followed by crowd OF other acquaint-
ances. rrg lE.
"ohl' said she, rubbing her eyes to
make sure that 1t was not dream, "this
is surprise party, is 1t? I'm sure I'm de-
lighted to see you'll Only it's pity Harry
isn't at home!" X ,'r,''
"My good SOUL" said Miss Arethusa
Blythe, shaking her finger, "it's no
use trying to deceive us. We know al
about III" .g .r
"All about what?" said Mrs. Smith.
About the weddingr cried out the
company in chorus.
Whose wedding9" demanded Mrs.
Smith.
"Why, Harold's, to be sure!' they re-
sponded,
"But Harold isn't going to be mar
ried,r said Mrs. Smith. "He isn't even
engaged Good graciousl What can
have put such a thing into peoples
heads?"
ats the telegram" said Miss Pa
mela.
81 don't know what you are talking
about" said Mrs. Smith in despair.
"Well, II you won't believe me, you
will, perhaps, believe your own eyes,"
said Miss Betsey Blythe, with dignity, as
she drew the telegram from her pocket,
and, carefully strengthening out Its
creases. held 1t up before Mrs. Smiths
spectacle glasses.
"Dear meT cried Mrs Smith, at last
comprehending little Of this curious
network Of cross-purposes, ats Bella
Smiths big DOLL"
"Whatr shrieked Miss Arethusa.
Miss Pamela and Miss Betsy In chorus.
"Whatr more wildly echoed the rest
Of the assemblage, crowding eagerly
around.
"Mrs. Helena Smiths little daughter,
across the street." explained Mrs.
Smith. "It's her birth-night party, and
an immense doll. dressed as bride,
was forwarded by express this after
noon! | saw 1t myself-a perfect
beauty, with vail and wreath, white
satin boots, buttoned by knobs Of pearl,
and long-wristed white kid gloves, en-
tirely completed And you thought
you really imagined that my Harold
was going TO be married secretly and
had telegraphed TO New York for his
bridel"
The old lady broke out into ht Of
soft, sweet-sounding laughter, which
shook her as II she had been y r~1ld of
jelly. Everybody else laughed ex.
cept the three Misses Blytbe .ney
only looked blank.
"But now that you're here" added
hospitable Mrs. Smith, you'll stay TO
tea, all OF you? But you musu The
down train doesn't leave until ten, and
you'll DO half starved, now that there Is
no wedding feast for you. ohl insist
upon your staying 10 tea"
The biggest teakettle in the house
was put over TO boil at once; seven
pounds Of coffee were put into the pot
and the maids ran. one 70 the mufie
and crumpet store and cake bakery, the
other to the oyster stand, which, luck.
Ny, was NOT yet shut up for the night
And kind Mrs. Smith entertained her
unexpected guests with gracious polite.
ness
But there was no wedding and no
bride. except little Nelly Smiths wax
bride scross the street, and -the three
Misses Blythe wont back 70 New York
ssdder and wiser women. Etf
And what was perhaps the most de-
sirable result. they resolved TO adhere,
thencoforth, 70 the eleventh command.
ment-Amy Randolph. in N. Y. Ledger.
MeU IAsa IN HsiroaAlnW.