Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-18

guests had missed the earlier train, but
in her soul she felt the cold chill of GER
tainty that they would not come.
AS she sat eating her luncheon after
ward In solitary state, and wishing that
she knew any of her neighbors we'll
enough to ask them to Join her, she re-
ceived a belated telegram from her hus-
band: Nan says party postponed; Aunt
Eliza has headache" She read 1t, and
cast it from her scornfully.
And this was her wedding day, passed
in unnecessary work. futile preparation
for people who didn't care a scrap for
her! Oh, if she had only been going in
town that afternoon, as she had dreamed
of doing, to have little dinner with
Henry-and go to a play afterward-
and have Just their own little. happy,
foolish time over 1t all! She had hardly
been anywhere since little Marjorie was
born.
She was surprised to have a caller In
the afternoon, a Mrs. Livermore. This
visitor was large. stout, woman with
very blonde hair, who lived on the oppo-
site corner. She was dressed in magni-
fcently f1orid style, and sat in the little
drawing-room a large mass of purple
| cloth and fur and cleaning jet spangles,
| Surmounted by curving plumes, that quite
dwarfed Mrs. Warnings slender elegance.
| She apologized profusely for not having
called before, as illness had prevented
| her doing so, and sailed at once smooth
| ly off into sea Of medical terms. giving
| such an Intimate and minute account of
| the many diseases that had ravaged her
| that poor Mrs. Waring paIed. The one
bright spot in her existence seemed to
have been her husband. whom she de-
scribed as the most untiring Of nurses.
| II really didn't know whether I'd find
! YOU at home this afternoon or not she
said. .Your nurse girl. Beesy, told my
cook that this was the anniversary Of
your wedding. Willie and 1, always used
to go of somewhere for a little treat.
| but since I've been such an Invalid I've
/ had to stay at home. But he never for
| gets. What do YOU think, Mrs Varing,
every Saturday since our marriage. four
| teen years ago. he has brought me home
a box Of flowers! He always says: Here
are your roses. Baby'- that's his pet
name for me. 1 don't know what I'd do
if Willie wasn't SO attentive
| Indeed" said Mrs Waring.
On her return to the nursery she took
occasion to reprove Beesy for gossipinE.
| All. never said but two words to
Ellen; but Mrs. Livermore-there's no.
thing she doesn't flnd out. And the way
/ she and Mr.. Livermore quar'is Ellen
says they fights like cat and dog. The
| Eeighbors have complained OF en- in the
court. He drinks terrible!''
You must not tell me these things.
Reesy. said Mrs. Waring with dignity.
Il DO not wish to heaI them Come,
Marjorie sweetest. play pat-a-cake with
mamma-this way. baby darling. Oh
Reesy. there's the bell again!,'
This time 1t was a neighbor whom Mrs.
Waring had met before and rather liked
| a gentle. faded, sympathetic woman who
had admired the children. They talked
OF the village markets and com.
pared notes on prices. gradually
reaching even more personal ground
Mrs. WarinE finally divulged the
fact that this was the anniversary Of her
wedding. 57s
81 had hoped .tn l.:tve celebrated the day
in toxin, she added. impnlsively. hut
Mr.. War!ngs business arrangements have
/ prevented,
II must be real disappointment To
you, . commented her visitor. fselinkly.
u often think how. llsrely you must 30,
lmsItnE % fsv DAcplA IoStsa atrh no