The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-07-18
THEIR FIRST DINNER PARTY.
But They waited IN Vain For the Guests
to Come.

They had only been married a month and
it was their first dinner party, consequent
ly they were both n little flurried when the
time came for the guests to arrive,
She had superlntended the arranging of
the table herself, and now stood surveying
its obviously ncw silver, glass and linen
with housewifely pride.
DO you really think everything will go
well, Edward" she asked for the twentieth
time
And for the twentieth time he answered.
"Of course it will all go we'll / only pity
the poor fellows who have no little wife
and no homo of their own"
"Oh, Edward. how niceF' she gurgled,
"and how l do pity the poor girls who
have no nice, kind husbands. There Is
Edith. She Is such sweet girl, she really
ought to know how nice 1t is to be mar
ried"
"Ycs, indeed. And then there is George.
He has no idea of what happiness he is
missing"
She walked into the parlor, and stand
ing before the mirror rearranged the rose
In her hair. DO you like it Sog" she asked.
ut is lovely, Poor George, how he must
envy me2"
"And, oh, Edward. do feel sorry for
Edith. Hark, is that carriagef"
They both fell into easy attitudes of ex-
pectancy, but tho carriage rolled on. He
took out his watch and looked at it. 1t
was iust7.
"Oh, dear" she moaned, "Im afraid they
will rot be prompt, and my notes said
sharp"
Perhaps my watch is fast" he said
soothingly.
She moved her lace pin little, then re-
yIo if rsli it,r, i., ln frIo
with critical mir He walked up and
down with his hands in his pockets.
'Oh. dear" she walled. they are late al
ready, and the cook will be so cross She
looks perfectly colossal when she is cross,
Edward"
And the women will have to chatter
half an hour in the dressing room after
they do come" he groaned.
t'Why, Edward, how unkind-as il the
men did not like to stay just Us long with
their horrid cigars!"
"Listen, here they comel"
They fell again into position, but the
wheels passed on.
"It is odd" she said, people never kept
mamma waiting in this way. They were
always anxious to come to her house"
Perhaps they have gone there now"
"Why, Edward But do wish they
ined | don't dare to go to see wonder
II might call down the tube~ ....
"Of course" was the airy response. 81
say this Il an awful bore I envy George.
Nobody expects him to give dinner par
ties"
"And envy Edith She has no one to
talk unkindly to her."
The clock chimed the half hour.
"You are sure you said sharpS"
"Of course am. am not quite an Inn
beetle yet ii have married you"
who Is talking unkindly now"
"Oh, Inever thought that you would treat
me so when you begged me to marry you"
II only asked you once and you said yes
quick enough"
81 never thought you would be n brute"
"And l never thought you would be a
virago."
Nobody will accept my invitations now,
Just because | have married you-mamma
said was making a mistake"
People were always glad enough to &C
cept my invitations before l was married"
'Very well, If YOU want to be free 1 will
go home"
"If you want to go, pray don't allow me
to detain you"
The clock chimed ont eight strokes, car.
riages kept rolling by, but none OF them
stopped. She swept into the bedroom ana
began opening drawers and boxes and tax
ing out their contents, which she could not
see for her toars. He tried to hum After
the Ball." watching her movements fur
lively through the open door. Would she
really leave him' And what would the
boys say If she didf
She tumbled the costly things about In a
careless fashion. What did their beauty
matter now when she was going homo with
broken heart to dlel
But why did everybody stay away'" he
muttered between his teeth.
Haven't wo n friend in the world2" she
asked herself.
Then she gave cry. Her eye had fallen
on a white heap in the corner of u drawer.
"Edwardl' she cried in tragic tones,
there arc all my invitations now-I had
forgotten to mail themln
They looked at each other a moment
those two who were about to part forever.
Then smile curled the corners Of her
mouth. In an instant she was clasped In
his arms. Then shrill whistle sounded
from the tube, and an offended voice called!
"Wonld yez be hayin any dinner to-
noights"
"Oh, Edwardr' she whispered, "how shall
ever tell the cookfn-Chicago Tribune.