Middletown transcript., 1901-11-30
The Lost Invitation Z. J.
py INA BREFooRT ROBERTS.

II
Lawton and family
That gentleman's wife held her head
high, and to the other members of the
family, who had all been hidden to the
nuptials. she declared herself Indifferent
to the slight. They, not liking to be-
come involved in matter so delicate,
said as little as possible about it to her,
and nothing at all in the other house.
When the wedding day came, Gertrude,
who was in her room being dressed in
the white gown and the filmy white veil
woman wears but once in her life, sent
downstairs for her girl cousins.
They focked into the room, q fresh,
rosy-cheeked beyy, all eager for glimpse
of the bride. "Where is Lucilla p,
asked Gertrude, after they had kissed
her. For moment there was an awk-
ward pause, and then by degrees the
whole thing came out.
Mrs. Joseph Lawton paused in her
task of giving the last touches to the
BRIDES hair before rejoining her guests,
and with uplifted brush declared that
James Lawton's invitation had gone with
the others. 'T addressed it myself"
cried Gertrude. "And Tom mailed it"
added her mother.
Lucilla went over all these details in
her mind as she walked slowly home
along the pleasant street. For herself
she had been quite willing to accept
the word of her aunt and cousins that
the invitation had been sent, but her
father and mother took another view
of the matter, and after the explanation
which Mrs. Joseph Lawton called to
give on the day after the wedding, was
followed by stony silence on the part
of her hostess, the rivalry between the
two households became an open breach.
This was why when Tom told LucillaI
that he loved her, the young couple
were obliged to keep their engagement a
secret.
That evening after the prayer meeting
Lucilla and her mother started to walk
home under the stars They had gone
but few steps when Mrs. Lawton recol-
lected an important something she had
forgotten to say to the minister's wife
and went back into the church.
'Iucilla," said a voice at the girls
eide, and Tom stepped out from the
shadow.
They had but moment together, but
the briefest moments are boons to lovers.
''Did you 90 to the meeting?" asked
Lucilla.
eyes," answered Tom, "and it's lucky
I did. But for my vote the thing would
have been tie and the chances are we
should have had no new town hall. Az
it is, we are to put up a fine one. They
will begin to tear the old building down
on Monday, so as to be ready to break
ground as soon as the spring opens.
When shall see you again, dear? tits
hateful to me to have to skulk about to |
meet you as though our love were some
thing to be ashamed of when"
At this moment the approach of his
aunt sent Tom back into the shadow |
again.
On the day before Christmas Lucilla, |
who was in the kitchen, experimenting |
the preparations of such portions of the
feast as could be prepared in advance,
was surprised to see her mother enter the
room dressed for the street.
"You need not do the errands this
Lucilla," she said; I'll go my
self. Now get pencil and paper and
help me to think what we need"
81 wonder what put it into mothers
head to do the errands on such busy
day." Lucilla said to herself little later
as she watched Mrs. Lawton through
window. sI wish she had let me go
instead; might have met Tom"
Had Lueilla followed her mother she
would have been more surprised still,
ior Mrs. James Lawton had not pro-
,eeded far from her home when, on
turning a corner, she found herself face
70 face with Mrs. Joseph Lawton, and
jhese two ladies who had not been on
oowing terms since the unlucky episode
If the lost invitation, on this occasion
.ccosted one another simultaneously.
81 was on my way to your house."
aid Mrs. James Lawton, and II was
ust coming to see you," was the others
,reeting.
Mrs. James Lawton looked with quiv-
ring lips at her brothers wife. whose
yes had filed with tears. 'Mary,'
he said, 81 don't know whether you
ent that Invitation or not, but I'm going
O try to believe that you did, and want
,ou and Joseph to come to our house to
Inner tomorrow and bring those of the
amily who accepted your invitation with
7ou."
amanda" returned Mrs. Joseph Law
on, 'T did send that invitation and this
morning I put down my foolish pride
mo maue up my nAno W ~ onSO AnoAC
nd ask you to believe me. I couldn't
njoy Christmas with the family DIVIDED
Ip. 1 want you to come to me to-
morrow"
Mrs James Lawton laughed neryously.
Il would" she said, "but you gave the
Inner last year, so it's my turn now."
Every WE'LL" answered her companion;
1T shall be just as you say, but must
lury home and send Tom to tell the
alnily Of our change Of plans. Why.
lere he comes now" Ia
Tom was indeed coming from the di-
ection OF the town on most undignifed
un. When he caught sight of his mother
nd aunt lie stopped in astonishment. Il
"Well, this is day Of surprises" he
reclaimed, and as he spoke Tom waved
dusty envelope in the air triumphantly.
fert,s tl,a. Lost invitation he cried.