The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-07-06

faith; they declared she DID not LOOK
day over 20.
As yet the groom had not made his
appearance; Miss Letitia had excused
herself moment or two. but as the
minutes Heightened into an hour with
out her returning. significant gIances
were exchanged and the buzz OF many
voices was heard.
1t il astonishing how much pleasure
some people derive from the distress
or modification Of their friends. Las.
Ponsonby and her coterie were insin-
uating that something was wrong;-
voiciug pity which their eyes andcoun'
tenance belied.
Thoroughly exasperated, Mrs. Jennie
was about to give crushing retort'
when Miss Letitia reappeared.
She was slightly pale. her demeanor
q mixture Of regret and dig1.-ty. while
q blending of defiance was depicted IN
her erect attitude.
1--WE had a telegram from Mr.. Lang
worthy: business OF family nature.
which shall not be at liberty to di-
yu,ge unfortunately, compels him 10
start for Europe as he sent the mes
sage off; consequently there viii be
no wedding tonight. That need not
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 chorus of obs and abs. and
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 1ndiminished pangs OF
curiosity an expression as ii they were
being led to instant execution.
Miss Le4itia YVES 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 ban 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 are so-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: IF she would
ask me-"
Early next morning Mrs. Jennie &C
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 n marriage?"
Miss Letitia was bending over the
bed, replacing a handsome silver ladle
in its velvet box.
The constrained position may have
been the cause of her heightened color.
Her face, as she turned toward Mrs.
Alden, wore conflicting expressions;
triumph, shame, and over all a halt
sad, half defiant look. Her first words
were apparently irrelevant:
i've learned much, Jennie" she
said, as she folded dozen fine thread
cambria handkerchiefs and placed them
with lingering regret in the costly box
they came in; 'how exquisite these
are, and like the donor! Oh. yes, was
saying how much had learned since
I had sent out those tickets. I've al
ways had a too-confiding disposition.
and, while I'm not now cynic. I've
had eye-openers, plenty of them.
Going about to different stores, rid
ing windy days, yelled, on the cars.
have given me an insight into peoples
character that has been both painful
and profitable; needn't tell you whom
mean, for see you know. I'm not a
sentimental fool; the only regret is self
contempt that I've been taken in
them SO long. but I've never outgrown
a girlish pleasure in being liked.
"You had your husband and chill
dren, and ! never begrudged wives and
mothers their happiness, for my life
had been healthy. happy one. and so
completely am ! spinster that be-
lieve was born one; I've never seen the
man I have ever imagined l could
Fancy. but there was one thing | did
want"
Mrs Alden had listened sympathet-
ically; as Miss Letitia paused for
breath she ventured to speak. "What
was that, Letitia?"
You may laugh, Jennie, if you wish,
but that was no more nor less than
trousseau!"
what? Do you mean that"
Il mean, and know it will 20 no
further, that couldn't have a trous-
seau without marriage, and, that was
why sent out cards. Don't YOU I'M
derstand, Jennie? The marriage could
not take place-because there was no
bridegroom at all; now it's out"
For once Mrs. Alden was surprised
beyond the power. of expression, but
when she did recover her merry laugh
ter was delightful to hear and was
Joined by Letitia. ~
What . good joke!" gasped Mrs.
Jennie. "Wouldn't it make the Rich
mond DANES open their eyes? It shall
go no further, though would like Allyn
to know, il you have no objection.
What would Mrs. Ponsonby sayY
"Embellish it until we wouldn't
know It; but there's one thing she
won't enjoy any more; expectations OF
sharing my fortune. shall leave my
money AZ fund for old maids trous-
seaux."-Boston Globe.