The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1900-06-01
i've ANYTHING, and takes that mean,

give anything. and takes that means
to make sure" w. .g
"Was. that the reason You had mo
flowers on the cards when your daugh-5.
ter graduated? Letitia's bouquet was
weighted with jeweled butterfly. So
glad you enlightened me; Ihave Won
dered why that clause was inserted,
but had no idea it meant exactly OPP
posite what it said. 1t is never too late
to .learn-wisdom. Good morning. I
must 60 home"
Mrs. Pohsonby gazed after the car
riage and said to her dear. familiar
friend:
Mrs. Alden does have the knack of
taking one by surprise; she contuses
person so; of course, l didn't mean
that is, l didn't intend to own
"That you took that way of assuring
Sophy a number of bouquets and pres
ents? l thought you didn't mean to
say that, dear, did you?" suggested
the friend, sweetly.
Miss Letitia's wedding night had ar
rived. She was looking extremely hand
some and accepted the effusive compile
ments of her friends in apparently good
faith; they declared she did not look
day over 40.
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 glances
were exchanged and the buzz of many
voices was heard.
1t is astonishing how much pleasure
some people derive from the distress
or modification of their friends. Mrs.
Ponsonby and her coterie were insin-
uating that something was wrong;
voicing pity which their eyes and coun-
tenance belied.
Thoroughly exasperated, Mrs. Jennie
was about to give a crushing retort,
when Miss Letitia reappeared.
She was slightly pale, her demeanor
a mixture of regret and dignity, while
a blending of defiance was depicted in
her erect attitude.
1--WE had a telegram from Mr.. Lang
worthy; business of a family nature,
which I shall not be at liberty to di-
vulge Unfortunately, compels him to
start for Europe as he sent the mes.
sage off; consequently there will be
no wedding tonight. That need not
interfere with our enjoyment of the
supper; the presents will be returned
to their donors tomorrow. Mr.. Alden,
will you see me to the table? The min
lister will take you, Jennie"
Her astounding revelations called
forth a chorus of obs and abs, and a
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 it 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 than one face be.
came blank when Miss Letitia said:
Jennie, be sure to come around to.
morrow and help me pack those pres.
ents; some are so-valuable 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, 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 handsome silver ladle
in it's 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 too-confiding disposition,
and, while I'm not now a 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; I needn't tell you whom
I 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
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 a healthy, happy one, and so
completely am a spinster that be-
lieve was born one; I've never seen the
man I have ever imagined 1 could
fancy, but there was one thing l did
want"