Hutchinson gazette., 1900-06-14
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! MISS LITITIA's TRoUssEAU.

Letltla Houghton was going TO be
marriedj consequently many OF her
dear feminine friends said II was a
shame, a. scandal, for L .itia to think
Of such folly at her time OF life. These
same authorities declared she was 50
years old, adding there was no fool
like an old one,
Letitia was on the sunny side OF 40
hut did not look as II she were 40, be-
ing handsome, with pretty home,
tidy income, q kind heart and n ,ound
head. r r 4
The beneAciarics OF her bounty had
become accustomed 10 consider her
spinster, too confirmed n deyotee TO
single blessedness TO change her state
What right had that old thing 10 be
taken In by an impecunious ,odrentW
er, when she had friends OF her liie
time who naturally eNpected--she had
no Nnspeople--to be remembered In
her will not TINT they were mercen
ary, but that they had sort OF claim
upon her,
Remarks OF this kind were freely In
dulged IN when the Invitations were
received. Twenty-Five or thirty wom'
en- talking at once Ii rather confusing,
ard az the speakers became excited
the comments became more personal
and assumed nm iT-natured turn, n
WAS Nt church sewing circle. and
tongues were flying faster than need
les.
An exceedingly pretty and richly
dressed woman, guest OF the socie'
ty, now took mp the ,cudgels In de-
fense OF the absent,
"Lndies ladies'. Is this modern
school for scandal, or church society
held IN thp basement OF sacred edi'
fee? Won Ill have cause TO be CRATE
fnl 10 TIetltin: whv should Won sneak
Of her so Bitterly now, because she
exercises the right we have all claim
ed?r
Mrs, ALVIN Alden WIS lender OF so
ciety. whose dctum made or unmndc
n newcomer entering the chormed
circle There was not woman "res.
ent who was not anxious 10 retain her
favor.
"Whv. what have we said? N is
eccentric in Miss Totitin 10 ~ot 'nNr'
ried at her time Of life, now isn't II,
Mrs. 1euno?"
''T do not know why It should he
considered so; Lctita Is very pretty
woman"
Mrs. Jennie, as Mrs. Alden wns gen.
orally called, WINS power, and with
promptitude thcv proceeded to eat
their words with marvelous celebrity.
Mrs. JENNIE sNilcd and hnde them
good morning, On the way 10 Miss
Letitia's she made gesture MS II she
had touched an ill-smeling weed
Mrs. Jennie was met In the yard by
the bride-elect whose fresh and fair
complexion had defied he rnvnges OF
time. With her bright hazel ewes and
wavy light brown hair she might have
passed for rs at the most.
Mrs. Jennie perceived that the bride
to-be preferred TO talk about her
clothes instend Of the man she had
promised to marry, nndm no other
effort TO drag him into the conversa-
tion. Miss Letitn brought every AZ
ticle for Mrs. .Tqnnie's inspection ana
said as that lady rose to go;
ado stay to lunch; I've so much to
ten you yet. 7 want II understood
that 7 meant what said when I
wroteaon the cards u don't want pres
ents;' please make my friends under
stand that. viii YOU? 7 know they
win want to give me presents; You
can't know how glad ann that I am
fixed, Jennie"
Mrs. Alden would not shake Miss
Letitia's faith in the professions Of
friendship she believed sincere, but
when their spiteful comments were
recalled 1t angered her afresh with
them.
81 am always at home to give Allyn
his lunch; he does not enjoy it when
am absent, Hetitia. shall let it bo
known chat you do not wish pres
ents."
Tor that purpose Mrs. Jennie drove
back by the church, where she found
the society dispensing. She did not
alight, but told them of Miss Letitia's
wish. She of tie sharp tongue gave
ahrill little cacltle, and said;
IHdb lnSUnS VIC lnubJ give bHtH
without fail; she's afraid we won't
give anything, and takes that means
to make sure"
y y y
Miss Letitia's wedding night had ar
rived She was looking extremely
handsome, and accepted the effusive
compliments of her friends in Hppar-
emily good faith; they declared she
did not look a day over 40.
AS yet the groom had not made his
appearance; Miss Ielttia had excused
herself a moment or two, but as the
minutes heightened into an hour with
out her returning, significant glances
were exchanged.
It is astonishing how much pleasure
some people derive from the distress
or modification of their friends. Mrs.
Ponsonby and her coterie were insinu-
ating that something was wrong;
voicing pity which their eyes and
countenances belied
Mrs, Alden was becoming worried
over the prolonged absence of Miss
Letitia from the room, and wished she
would return and silence the mali
cious tongues.
Ucbo'c nravoi1;nu nm ha,, e,,,ni, ooA