Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-07-28

nents OF ner Irienos IN apparently goo
faith; they declared she did not look
day over 40.
As yet the groom had not made hi
appearances; Miss Letitia had excuse,
herself . moment or two, but az tn
minutes heightened into an hour with
out her returning, significant glance
were exchanged and the buzz Of man,
voices was heard.
1t is astonishing how much pleasur
some people derive from the distres
or modification of their friends. t.rs
Ponsonby and her coterie were insin
uating that something wa wrong
voicing pity which their eyes and coun
tenance belied.
Thoroughly exasperated. Mrs. Jsnni,
was about to give a crushing retort
when Miss Letitia reappeared.
She was slightly pale, her demeanol
a mixture Of regret and dignity, Will,
a blending OF defiance was depicted il
her erect attitude.
"Ive had a telegram from MIR. Lang
worthy; business Of a family nature
which I shall, not be at liberty to di
yulge unfortunately, compels him te
start for Europe as he sen the mes
sage off; consequently there will be
n wedding tonight. That need moi
interfere with our enjoyment of the
supper; the presents will be returned
to their donors tomorrow. MIR. Alden
will you see me to the table? The min.
lister will take you, Jennie"
Her astounding revelations called
forth q 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 il 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 han one face be-
came blank when Miss Letitia said:
Jennie, be sure to tome around to-
morrow and help me pack those pres.
ents; some r s%o-valuable l will not
be satisfied until they are returned;
fortunately all are labeled"
II will come, with pleasure, Letitia,"
replied Mrs. Alden, while Mrs. Ponson-
by whispered dolefully: III 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
stand, a gift from Mrs. Ponsonby, Mrs.
Alden said:
"Letitia, why return the presents?
We're you In earnest when you said
there was not much likelihood of there
being a marriage"
Miss Letitia was bending over the
bed. replacing a handsome silver ladIe
in its velvet box.
The constrained position may have
been the cause of her heightened color.
Her face, as she turned toward Mrs:
wore conflicting expressions;
triumph, shame, and over all a half
sad, half defiant look. Her first words |
apparently irrelevant:
i've learned much, Jennie" she
said, as she folded a dozen fine thread.
,ambric handkerchiefs and placed them
with lingering regret in the costly box
they came in; 'how exquisite these
IRE, and Like the donor! Oh, yes, l was
how much l had learned since
had sent out those tickets. I've al.
ways had a too-confding disposition.
md, while I'm not now a cynic, I've
lad eye-openers, plenty Of them.
Going about to different stores, rid
ng windy days. yelled, on the cars.
ave given me an insight into peoples
that has been both painful
md profitable; ! needn't tell you whom
mean, for l see you know. I'm not a
fool; the only regret is self.
contempt that I've been taken in
hem so long, but I've never outgrown
girlish pleasure in being liked.
You had your husband and chill
rem, and / never begrudged wives and
Mothers their happiness, for my life
been a healthy, happy one, and SO
ompletely am l a spinster that | be-
|eve l was born one; I've never seen the
I have ever imagined l could
ancy. but there was one thing | did
Mrs Alden had listened sympathet-
ally; a. Miss Letitia paused for
reath she ventured to speak. "What
as that, Letitia?" |,
you may laugh, Jennie, If you wish,
ut that was no more nor less than a
ro~usseaui" +.
"What? Do you mean that" /,
Il mean, and l know 1t will. 70 no
that l couldn't have a trous- :
'au without a marriage, and, that wal
l sent out cards. Don't you un-
erstand, JennieP The marriage could
Ut take place-because there was no t
at all; now it's out"
For once Mrs. Alden was surprised {
eyond the power OF expression, but
hen she did Cow her merry laugh '
# was delightful to hear and wa
lined by Letitia.
What q good joke!" gasped Mrs. f,
snnie. "Wouldn't it make the Rich :
ond danes open their eyes? It shall =
} no further, though l would like Allyn !
know. If you have no objection.
hat would Mrs. Ponsonby sayY"
"Embellish it until we wouldn't
low It; but there's one thing abe ~
enjoy any more; expectations Of i,
airing my fortune. I shall leave my
onsy a. a fund for old maids troue-
aux."-Boston Globe. Il