Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-09-20

AaSI tuhcn tueII departure, JeSSlt
looked at her mother in amazement
mingled with mirth.
Mamma" said she, what do those
old women mean?"
Il think, DEAR said Mrs. Mordaunt
"tlat they are the least bit unsettled
In their minds-just a little crazy, you
know
And the Misses Blythe went away
exchanging mysterious glances and
whispering to each other
They cannot deceive us.''
The Misses Blythe told everybody
they could think of-ayways in stric,
confidence, of course. Everybody re-
peated it to everybody else, and by Fri
day evening the train to Walkley Sta
ton was full.
To Miss Betsey Blythe's infinite dis.
appointment, the Smith house, a pref.
ty, old-faslioned mansion with a pillar.
ed front, n garden full of clipped box
monstrosities, was not lighted up after
any extraordinary fashion. Mrs. Smith,
Harold's mother, dimpled old lady In
white lace cap and cleaning gold
spectacle-glasses, was knitting, half
asleep, when the three Misses Blythe
We're ushered in, followed by crowd
of other acquaintance.
oh" said she, rubbing her eyes to
make sure that 1t was not dream,
this is surprise party, is it? I'm
sure I'm delighted to see you! Only
it's pity Harry isn't at liome!,
MY good SOUL" said Miss Arethusa
Blythe, shaking her finger, Its no use
trying to deceive us. We know all
about it!''
"All about what?. said Mrs. Smith.
About the wedding" cried out the
company in chorus.
Whose wedding!' demanded Mrs.
Smith.
why, Harold's, to be sure!" they re-
sponded E
But Harold islft going to be mar
ried," said Mrs. Smith. HE isn't even
engaged! Good gracious. What can
have put such thing into peoples
heads?"
Its the telegram said Miss Pane
la.
II don't know what you are talking
about" said Mrs. Smith, in despair.
well, IL 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 it up before Mrs.
Smiths spectacle glasses.
Dear mel" cried Mrs. Smith, at last
comprehending little of this curious
network of cross-purposes. ITS Bella
Smiths big doll!'
What" cried Miss Aretlusa, Miss
Pamela, and Miss Betsey. in chorus.
What" more wildly echoed the rest
of the assemblage, crowding eagerly
around.
Mrs. Helena Smiths little daughter,
across the street." explained Mrs.
Smith. ITS her birtl-night party, and
an immense doll dressed as a bride was
forwarded by express this afternoon.
l saw 1t myself-a perfect beauty, with
veil and wreath, white satin boots, but
toned by knobs of pearl and long-wrist-
ed white kid gloves, entirely complete!
And you thought-you really imagined
that my Harold was going to be mar
RED secretly, and had telegraphed to
New York for his bride!"
The old lady broke out into a fit of
soft, understanding laughter, which
shook her as If she had been a mould
of jelly. Everybody else laughed ex-
5cept the three Misses Blythe. They
only looked blank.
But, now that you're here" added
.hospitable Mrs. Smith. you'll stay to
tea, all OF You? But you must! The
down train don't leave until ten, and
you'll he half starved now that there is
no wedding feast for you. Oh, l insist
upon your staying 10 tea"
The biggest teakettle in the house
was put over 10 boil. ut once: seven
pounds of coffee We're put into the pot,
and the maids ran, one to the muffin
and-crumpet store and cake bakery,
the other to the oyster stand, which,
luckily, was not yet shut up for the
night. And Kind Mrs. Smith enter
tained her guests with fracious polite
ness.
But there was no wedding and no
bride, except little Nelly Smiths wax
bride across the street; and the three
Misses Blythe went back TO New York,
sadder and wiser women.
And that was. perhaps, the most de-
sirable result; they resolved to adhere
tlenceforth. to the eleventh command
ment.