The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-04-25

Aratl1 n1> O4 lLc cuull sue oi
forty-fite. but did not look Is if she
were forty, being handsome, with a
pretty home, q iijy income. a kind
heart and a sound head.
The beneficiaries Of her bounty had
become accustomed to consider her q
spinster, too confirmed a deyotee 10
single blessedness to change her state.
What right had that old thing 20 be
taken in by an impecunions adven-
turer, when she had friends Of her life
time who naturally expected-she had
no kinspeople-tO be remembered in
her viii; not that they we're mercenary.
bGs that they had sort of claim upon
her.
Remarks Of this kind were freely in
dulged in when the invitations were
received. twenty-five OF thirty wOm-
en- talking at once is rather confusing,
and as the speakers became excited,
the comments became more perso1sl
and assumed an ili-natured turn. IL
was at church seRing-eircle, and
tongues were flying faster than needles
An exceedingly pretty and richly
dressed woman, guest Of the society,
now took up the cadgels in defense Of
the absent.
Ladies, ladies, is this a modern
school for scandal, or a church society
held In the basement Of q szcred edi-
fce? YOC ali have cause TO be crate
ful to Letitia; why should you speak OF
her 50 bitterly now, because she has
exercised the right We have all
claimed 81
Mrs Allyn Alden was leader Of so
ciety, whose dictum made or qnmade
q newcomer entering the charmed cir
Gle. There Was not a woman present
who was not anxious to retain her IA
yor.
"Wby, what have we said? It Is
eccentric in Miss Leiitia to get married
at her time of lie, now isn't il, Mrs
Jennie?n
II do not know why it should be
considered 50. Letitis Is very pretty
woman"
Ms. Jennie, as Mrs. Alden Vts gen
erally called, WAS a power, and with
promptitude they proceeded to eat their
words with marvellous CELEBRITY.
Mrs- Jennie smiled and b2de them
good morning. On the way 10 Miss
LetitiAis she made gesture as if she
had touched an ill-smelling weed.
"Whst power Of harm such women
can do al times I do not pose as a
reformer, bat 1 really would like to re-
call the ducking-stOol for their benefit.
Poor Letitial hope she has not eho-
sen unwisely-"
Her musings ceased as the coaehman
drew rein before the pretty old-fAshion-
ed gz7ded Of the Houghtons- Mrs
Jennie was met in the yard by the
hIide-eleet, whose fresh and fair cem-
plexiOn had defied the ravsges Of time
With her bright hazel eyes aud wavy
light brown hair she might have pass
ed for IS at most
Come into the house, Jennie; it's
lovely out here among the flowers, bat
I have some things wish TO show you.
The dress has come, but am too old 10
be married in white satin, so selected
a pink brOcade trimmed with lsee. l
have never had 50 many clothes made
At one time in my life, for / neye.
needed to. i don't think I'm enviOaS,
bat when saw ali my friends hand
some outfits it occurred to me that il
would be an inducenlent TO marry. Do
you not like it?"
She fingered the gIistening folds low
ingiy, and Mrs Alden looked and ad-
mired, then said !:
"But where did you meet the man
you expect to marry, Letitia? would
not give my life into the keeping OF an
utter stranger"
..You needn't Be uneasy about me;
be is very pleasant man and I'm pos
tive We will get on very well together.
AS for love, W. are not young people
and have said nothing about that, bot
We viii do well enough as friends Did
you notice that black and gold visiting
silk, Jennie?''
Mrs Jennie perceived that the bride
to-be preferred to talk about her clothes
instead Of the nian she had promised
to marry. and made no other effort TO
drag him into the conversation Miss
Leiiiia brought every article for Mrs.
Jenuie's inspection, and said as that
lady rose TO go:
"Do stay to lunch; I've 50 much to
tell ven YET. want il understood that
l meant what / said when 1 wrote on
the cards didn't want presents; please
make my friends understand that viii
you? / know they viii want to give
me presents; you can't know how glad
i am that am liked, jennie
Ms. Alden would net shake Miss
Letitia's faith in the professions Of
friendship she believed sincere. but
when their spiteful comments were re-
called il angered her afresh With them
sI am always At home TO give Allyn
his lunch; he does not enjoy il when /
am absent, Lefitia. i shall let il be
known that you do not wish presents"
For that purpose Mrs. Jennie drove
back By the church, where she found
the society dispensing She did not
alight, bat told them Of Miss Letitia's
wish She Of the sharp tongue gave a
= shria little caekle, and said:
THAT means that ve must give them
without fail; she's zfrzid We wont give
anything, and takes that means TO
make sure"
@Was that the reason you had no
flowers on the cards when your dsngh-
ter graduated ? Lesitia's bouquet was
weighted with jeweled butterfly. So