The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-25
MISS LETITTA's TROUssEAU,
And why the wedding Failed to
Take Place.
BY olive winston-Gage

ftHccs
BY Olive Winston-Gage.
Detitia Houghton was going to he mar
ried: consequently many of her dear fem
mime friends said 1t was shame, scan
dial, for Letitia to think of such folly at
her time of life. These same authorities
declared she was IS years old. adding
there was no fool like an old one
Letitia was on the sunny side of Is. but
did not look as If she were 10. being hand
some, with a pretty home. a tidy income,
a kind heart and sound head.
The beneficiaries of her bounty had be-
come accustomed to consider her a spin
ster, to confirmed a devotee TO single
blessedness to change her state. What
right had that old thing to be taken in by
an impecunious adventurer. when she had
friends of her life time who naturally ex-
pected-she had no kinspeople-to be re-
membered in her will, not that they were
mercenary, but that they had sort of
claim upon her.
Remarks of this kind were freely indulg-
ed in when the invitations we're received.
Twenty-Five or thirty women talking at
once is rather confusing. and as the speak
ers became excited, the comments became
more personal and assumed an ill-natur-
ed turn. 1t was at a church sewing cir
Gle; and tongues were flying faster than
needless.
An exceedingly pretty and richly dressed
woman, a guest of the society, now took
up the cudgels in defense of the absent.
Ladies' ladies, is this a modern school
for scandal. or a church society held in
the basement of sacred edifice? You
all have cause to be grateful to Letitia;
why should you speak of her so bitterly
now, because she exercises the right we
have all claimed?"
Mrs. Allyn Alden was leader Of society,
whose dictum made or unmade new
conner entering the charmed circle. There
was not a woman present who was not
anxious to retain her favor.
why what have we said? II Is eccen-
trio in Miss Letitia to get married at her
time of life, now isn't it, Mrs. JennieY'
IT do not know why 1t should be con-
sidered so; Letltia Is very pretty wo-
man.
Mrs Jennie, as Mrs. Alden was general
ly called. was power. and with prompti-
tude they proceeded to eat their words
with marvellous celebrity.
Mrs. Jennie smiled and babe them good
morning On the way 10 Miss Letitia's
she made gesture as IL she had touched
an ill-smelling weed.
What a power of harm such women
can do at timesl l do not pose as a re-
former, but really would like to recall
the ducking stool for their benefit. Poor
Letitia! 1 hope she had not chosen I'M
wisely"
Her musings ceased as the coachman
drew rein before the pretty old-fashioned
garden of the Houghtons. Mrs. Jennie
was met In the yard by the bride-elect,
whose fresh and fair complexion had de-
fed the ravages of time. With her bright
hazel eyes and wavy light brown hair she
might have passed for So at most
Come into the house, Jennie; it's lovely
out here amongst the flowers, but 1 have
some things / wish to show you; the
dress has come; | am too old to be mar
ried in white satin, so / selected pink
brocade trimmed with lace. / have never
had so many pretty clothes made at one
time In my life, for l never needed to-
| don't think I'm envious, but when 1
saw all my friends handsome outfits
it occurred to me that 1t would be an
inducement to marry. Do you not like
IT,"
She fingered the glistening folds loving
ly, and Mrs. Alden looked and admired,
then said
But where did you meet the man you
expect TO marry, Letitia? 1 would not
give my life into the keeping of an utter
stranger"
You needn't be uneasy about me; he
is a very pleasant man, and I'm positive
we will get on very well together; as for
love, we are not young people and have
said nothing about that, but we will do
we'll enough as friends. Did you notice
that black and gold visiting silk, Jennie?"
Mrs Jennie perceived that the bride-to-
he preferred to talk about her clothes in
stead of the man she had promised to
marry and made no other effort TO drag
him into the conversation. Miss Letitia
brought every article for Mrs. Jennies
nc
TO go:
'Do stay to lunch I've so much TO tell
Won vet? / want 1t understood that 1
meant what / said when I wrote on the
cards didn't want presents; please make
my friends understand that, will you? l
know they will want to give me presents;
YOU can't know how glad am that am
liked, Jennie?"
Mrs. Alden would not shake Miss Lett
tia's faith in the professions of friendship
she believed sincere, but when their SPITE
full comments were recalled IL engered her
afresh with them.
81 am always at home to give Allyn his
lunch: he does not enjoy It when am sb-
sent Letitia. / shall let II be known that
YOU do not wish presents"
For that purpose Mrs. Jennie drove back
bv the church where she found the socie-
Nv dispensing. She did not altght, but told
them of Miss Letitia's wish. She of the
sharp tongue gave shrill little cackle,
and said:
THAT means we must give them with
out fail; she's afraid we won't give any
thing, and takes that means to make
sure"
WAS that the reason you had no flow
ers on the cards when your daughter grad
uated?' Letitia's bouquet was weighted
with a jeweled butterfly. So glad you en-
lightened me; have wondered why that
clause was inserted, but had no idea II
meant exactly opposite what IT said.
Thanks to you understand. II is never
TO late to learn-wisdom. Good morning, 1
must go home"
The extreme bonhomie OF this speech
made the clique stare at one another; they
were never sure what Mrs. Alden meant;
that her shafts hit the mark there was
no doubt. Mrs. Ponsonby gazed after the
carriage, and said to her dear familiar