Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-07-30

rrr',a,r momrnt or two, bat ~ l'le
,,i,ut,. lcnuthcntd into an nn'f N''"-
n,., BIER returning. significant games
were exchanged and he b'"/ Oh many
voices was heard.
II is astonishing how much pleasure
some people derive fro'" '"' "'' ,''
mr. uortilicatiun Of their frtonoS' NJ -
po,.nuhv and her coterie were llS'"-
Mating that something was Mf"''E'
yoiciuy pity which their eyes AM" ''"''
tenuuca belicd. .;.
Thorouehly cxasperated, Mrs. Jshn'e.
was about to give Il crushing relo'''
when Miss Letitia rcapptared'
She was slightly pale, her t"l''"nr'
n mixtrle of regret and dignity WE"
blending of defiance was nPP''''" ;"
her erect attitudr.
"I'vc had telegram from H'' ''""-
worthy: business Of ii family ma III -
which | shall not be at liberty 10 90
yu.pe indi.rriminately. romp'!s h''' ~
start for Europe as he sent the "''S
sage Off; consequently there WA w
no wedding tonight That h''u no'
interfere with our enjoyment o. '''
supper; the presents Will be rtt"i ne"
ia their donors to-morroW. MI. AI"'h'
will YOU see me to the table: Inc MN
lister will take you. jennie
Her astounding revelations rh'I'"
forth chorus of obs and ans ana IL
dozrn excited women began % ply htr
with questions, protesting against A' :
returning the presents, but she wave"
them aside.
She gave her guests no time to dIS-
cues her affairs in groups. but marrlle"
them into the dining-room. some wear
inc from the undiminshed pahgS 81
curiosity an expression as if they were
being led to instant eNecutl0n.
Miss Lcttia was the life of the part "
and the theory that she had hrcn
Tilted did not gain ground: h'T eN-
PLANTATION was accepted as truc-~as tar
as it went. More than one face be-
came blank when Miss l.cti,ia said:
Jennie, be sure to come around to-
morrow and help me pack these pres
onts: some are so-valunble | VIII not
be satisfied until they are returned
fortunately all are labeled.
II will come. with pleasure, l.ctitia.
replied Mrs. Alden. while Mrs. Fonson-
by whispered dolcfully: IF She would
ask me"
Early next morning Mrs. Jennie ar-
cordingly put in her Appearance tnd-
ia, .yn.rtli oil \ .
spirits.
While tying up eaudN plated cake
stand. a Gift from Mrs. ronaOnhN. Mrs.
Alden said:
"Letita. why return the presents:
We're YOU in earnest when You SAID
there was not much Likelihood of there
being a marriages.
Miss Lctitia was bending over the
bed. replacing Il handsome silver ladl"
in its velvet box.
The constrained position may have
been lie cause of her heightened color.
Her face. as she turned toward Mrs.
Alden. wore conflicting oNprcssiors;
triumph shame. and over all bali
sad. half defiant look. Her first word,
were apparently irrclevant:
Eve learned much, Jcnnic.' She
said. as She folded a dozen fine thrcad-
cambria handkerchipfs and place. them
with lingering regret in the costly hos
they came in: "how exquisite these
are, and like the donor. Oh. yes. ! was
saying how much had learned since
had scnt out those tickets. I've al
ways had a too-coniiding disposition.
and. while I'm not now ii cNnc. I'VE
had cNc-opencrs. plenty of them.
Going about to different stores. rid
ing windy days. veilcd. on thc cars.
have given me an insight into peoples
character that has been both painful
and prottablc: neodn', tell yuu whom
mean. for | see YOU know. I'm not a
sentimental fool; the on Y regret Is self
contempt that I've been taken in
them so long, but I've never outrrown
girlish pleasure in being liked.
You had your husband and chill
drcn. and never hcgrudged wives and
mothers their happiness. for my life
had been Il healthy. happy one. aud so
completely am | Il spinster that be
licve was born one; I've never seen the
man | have ever imagined could
fancy. but there was one thing dix
want"
Mrs Alden had listened symputhet-
ieally; as Miss Letitia paused for
breath She ventured to speak. "What
was that Lctitia:'
"Iou may laugh, Jennie. if You wish.
but that was no more nor less than "A
trousseau."
wv hat: DO Nou mean that
Il mean. and know ii will 90 no
further that | couldn't have Il troue-
scan without marriage. and,lhat Wa
why sent out cards. Don't You nm
ders tand Jennie: The MARRIAGE could
not take place because there was No
bridegroom AT all: now its out"
For once Mrs. Alden was surprised
beyond the power Of cNprcs>au. but
when She did recover her merry lounh-
ter was delightful to hear and Na>
joined by I.ctitia.
wv hat Il good joke" gaspgd Mrs.
Jennie. "Wouldn't it make Ike Rich
mond DANES open their eyes" II ,hull
90 10 further. though would like Nlvu
TO KNOW. If You have 10 objection.
Hat would Mrs. ponsonby say"
"Emhellsh it until we wouldn't
know IL; but there's one thing >hr
won't enjoy any more; expectations Of
sharing my fortune. shall leave my
money as fund for old maids trouS-
seauN. Boston Globe