Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-06-05

MSutS Oh neT 1IlcuuS III apparently SOOU
faith; they declared she did,not look
day over 40.
| AS yet the groom had not made his
appearance; Miss Letitia had excused
herself moment or two, but as the
minutes heightened into an hour with
out her returning, significant chances
were exchanged aud the buzz of many
voices was heard.
1t is astonishing how much pleasure
some people derive from the distress
or modification of their friends. Mrs.
Ponsonby and her coterie were insin-
uating that something was wrong;
voicing pity which their eyes andcoun-
tenance belied.
Thoroughly exasperated, Mrs. Jennie
was about to give crushing retort,
when Miss Letitia reappeared.
She was slightly pale, her demeanor
mixture of regret and dignity, while
blending of defiance was depicted in
her erect attitude.
I've had a telegram from MI. Lang
worthy;, business of q family nature,
which I shall not be at liberty to di-
vulge indiscriminately, compels him to
start for Europe as he sent the mes
sage off; consequently there will be
no wedding tonight. That need not
interfere with our enjoyment OF the
supper; the presents will be returned
to their donors tomorrow. Mr.. Alden,
will you see me to the table? The min
lister will take you, Jennie"
Her astounding revelations called
forth chorus of obs and abs, and q
dozen excited women began to ply her
with questions, protesting against her
returning the presents, but she waved
them aside.
She gave her guests no time to dis
cuss her affairs in groups, but marched
them into the dining-room, some wear
ing from the undiminished pangs Of
curiosity an expression as If they were
being led to instant execution.
Miss Letitia was the life of the party,
and the theory that she had been
Tilted did not gain ground; her ex-
PLANTATION was accepted as true-as far
as it went. More than one face be-
came blank when Miss Letitia said:,
Jennie, be sure. to come around to-
morrow and help me pack those pres
ents; some are so-vnluable will not
be satisfied until they are returned;
fortunately all are labeled"
81 will come, with pleasure, Letitia, :"
replied Mrs. Alden, while Mrs. Ponson-
by whispered dolefully: IF she would
ask me-"
Early next morning Mrs. Jennie ac-
cordingly put in her appearance, find
ing her friend in exceedingly good
spirits.
While tying up gaudy plated cake
Alden said:
"Letitia, why return the presents?
Were you in earnest when you said
there was not much likelihood of there
being a marriage?"
Miss Letitia was bending over the
bed. replacing handsome silver ladle
| in its velvet box. ~;
The constrained position may have
been the cause of her heightened color.
Her face, as she turned toward Mrs.
| Alden, wore conflicting expressions;
triumph, shame, and over all halt
sad, half defiant look. Her first words
were apparently irrelevant:
1--WE learned much, Jennie" she
said, as she folded dozen fine thread
cambria handkerchiefs and placed them
with lingering regret in the costly box
they came in; show exquisite these
are, and Like the donor! oh, yes, I was
saying how much had learned since
I had sent out those tickets. I've al
ways had too-confiding disposition,
and, while I'm not now q cynic, I've
had eye-openers, plenty of them.
Going about to different stores, rid
| ing windy days, yelled, on the cars,
have given me an insight into people's
character that has been both painful
and profitable; I NEEDN'T tell you whom
mean, for see you know. I'm not q
sentimental fool; the only regret is self
| contempt that I've been taken in
them so long, but I've never outgrown
q girlish pleasure in being liked.
"You had your husband and chill
dren, and never begrudged wives and
mothers their happiness, for my life
had been a healthy, happy one, and so
completely am a spinster that l be-
lieve I was born one; I've never seen the
man have ever imagined / could
fancy, but there was one thing did
want"
Mrs Alden had listened sympathet-
ically; as Miss Letitia paused for
breath she ventured to speak. What
was that, Letitia?"'
"You may laugh, Jennie, If you wish,
but that was no more nor less than Q
trousseau!"
What? Do you mean that"
II mean, and know it will 20 no
further, that I couldn't have trous-
seau without marriage, and, that was
why I sent out cards. Don't you un-
derstand, Jennie? The marriage could
not take place-because there was no
bridegroom at all; now it's OUT
For once Mrs. Alden was surprised
beyond the power of expression, but
when she did recover her merry laugh
ter was delightful to hear and was
st.