Hutchinson gazette., 1900-06-14

ueI WIN quebuOnbl pIotShNhB uBNh''
her returning the presents, but ah0
waved them aside.
"The marriage is indefinitely post
poned through no fault OF either bride
or bridegroom, 30 you need not Inn
aRlne he's abaconded or Tilted me,
Under the circumstances l will not
need the presents. Who ever heard
OF bridal glfts when there's not much
likelihood of the marriage being per.
formed2 promise YOU" with u fine,
grim smile that 3 omehow made cer-
tain. Indies feel uncomfortable, vi the
marriage does take place ! will expect
nothing from you. Now come to sup
per; that will not be a disappointment
II the wedding is."
She gave her guests no time TO dis"
cuss her aifnirs In groups, but march
ed them into the dining room, some
wcarylng from the undiminished
pangs Of curiosity an expression as II
they were being led TO instant eXecu'
ton.
Miss LetitlR was Nhe life OF the
party, and the theory that she had
been lifted did not gain ground; her
explanation was accepted az true-as
far as II went More than one face
became blank when Miss Lettia said;
"Jennie, be sure and come around
tomorrow and help me pack those
presents; some are so valuBbe, | will
not be satisfied until they are return
ed; fortunately all are labeled"
~ win come with pleasure, LetiItia,"
replied Mrs. Alden, while Mrs. Pom
sonby whispered dolefully, "If she
would nsl 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, gift from Mrs. Ponsonby, Mrs,
Alden said,
"Letitia, why return the presents?
We're you in earnest when you said
there wasnotmuch lllkelihoodof there
being a marriage?"
Miss LeNita was bending over thc
bed, replacing v handsome silver ladle
In It's velvet box.
The constrained position may have
been the cause Of her heightened col
or. Her face, as she turned toward
Mrs. Alden, wore conflicting express
sions triumph, shame, and over all q
half snd, half defiant look Her first
words were apparently irrelevant.
"Ive learned much, Jennie" she
said, as she folded n dozen fine thread
cambric handkerchicfs and placed
! them with lingering regret in the
costly box they came in; show eX'
/ quisite these are, and like the donor!
Oh, yes, ! was saying how much had
learned since | had sent out those
tickets. I've always had n too confid
ing disposition, and while TIN not now
cynic, I've had eyeopeners, plenty OF
them.
"Going about to different stores
riding windy days, yeiled, on the cars
have given me an insight into peoples
character that has been both painful
and profitable; needn't tell yor
whom ! mean, for ] see you know. J
have no regret for them; I'm not {
sentimental fool; the only regret II
self contempt THAT I've been taken II
by them so long, but I've never out
grown girlsh pleasure in being
liked
"You had your husband and child
ren, and God knows l never begrudged
wives and mothers their happiness
for my life has been n healthy, happy
one, and so completely am ] n spinstel
that believe was born one; I've
never seen the man have even i'm
agined I could fancy, but there wai
one thing | did want"
, Mrs. Alden had listened sympnthet
ically; ms Miss Lettia paused fol
breath she vcntured TO speak, "Wha
was that, Lettn?"
"You may laugh, Jennie, II you wish
but that was no more nor less thar
q trousseaul"
"What? DO you mean that"
81 mean. and i know II will go ne
further, that couldn't have n trous
seau without a marriage and tha
was why ! sent ont cards. Don't you
understand. Jennie? The marriage
could not take place, because there
was no bridegroom nj nll--now it'
| out"
For once Mrs. Alden was surprised
beyond the power of expression, but
when she did recover her merry
laughter was delightful to hear ant
was joined by Letitia.
'"Whut good joke" gasped Mrs
Jennie. wouldn't make the Rich
mond DANES open their eyes? II shall
go no further, though ! would like
Allyn to know, If YOU have no obiec
tion. What would Mrs. Ponsonby
say?"
"Embellish It until we wouldn't
know it; but there's one thing she
won't enjoy any more; expectations oi
sharing my fortune. I shall leave my
money as fund for old maids trous
seaux"