The Indianapolis journal., 1903-11-01
WOMAN OF HER WORD.
Promised Never Again to Break an
Engagement.
st. Louis Post-Dispatch.

st. Louis Post-Dispatch.
'I have always maintained that wom-
ans word Is as good as mans word, and
because she Is woman, need be accorded
the privilege of changing her mind" began
the little lady in gray she and her
elderly companion seated themselves in the
waiting room of one Of the downtown de-
partment stores. "But-well, this affair has
made me resolve that henceforth 1 will be
that rare creature-a woman Of her word"
"Yes?" questioned the elderly woman with
q smile.
This is a good time for me to unburden
myself. Aunt Lou, while we are waiting for
Henry, continued the lady in gray. In
the first place, 1 didn't want to give the
luncheon-the girl l had when you visited
me last time has left and 1 have been
came home and said that Mr.. Jenkins and
his bride had returned and we ought to
entertain them a luncheon seemed the cas-
lest way out OF 1t, particularly as Mrs.
wanted to meet Mrs. Burch, to whom I
am indebted for luncheon.
Wen. continued the lady in gray, II
sent out four invitations-my table seats six
So nicely-and received three acceptances
and one regret. Nellie Barker, who lives in
suburb, wrote that she'd love to come,
but couldn't possibly. / asked Mrs. Wright
In her place and she accepted.
Next day L had telegram from Nellie
saying she would come after all. / had
ordered just six individual ices, SO was
day Mrs. Burch called and announced that
she could not possibly accept my invitation
although she had already done so-as she
could not meet that Mrs Jenkins Did
you ever? 1 froze right up. Mrs. Jenkins
and her first husband never lived happily
together. 1t seems. or something Of the
sort, and my puritanical 'neighbor refused
Upon Mrs. Burch's departure recalled
my order for the extra ices. That same
afternoon the bride sent a note asking If
Il nO9tnOna 1unphpnn N
day as a school friend of hers was in the
city and they wanted to go to the matinee
because the school friend wouldn't have
another cnance 10 see this particular actor.
/ wrote that could not put off the lunch
con aad that would be delighted to enter
tain the friend also. Then telephoned the
caterer TO send a dozen ices and imagine
the girl at the other end Of the telephone
thought / was crazy. That afternoon / re-
ceiyed second telegram from Nellie say
ing that her baby was about to cut a tooth
and that / must not expect her."
so you were six at luncheon, just as you
had planned at frst?" asked Aunt Lou.
You might think so from what you have
heard, but we weren't. Just as Mrs. Jen-
kins arrived-without her friend, who she
said had gone home, though / know she
went to the matinee-an old friend of mine
brought her little girl AS were about
to sit down to the table Nellie arrived, and,
with her telegram she had sent earlier, her
to look after the baby. But she ate her
luncheon in peace while Nellie jumped up
and down a dozen times. That Is so con-
ducive to connected conversation, you
know.
II had ordered six pink shells for the
! salted almonds with doylies TO match--it
was originally intended TO be pink and
white luncheon-but | was obliged TO make
oat with others and they happened to be
red And. of course, 1 smiled sweetly
through Ii ALL
1T has, been an object lesson to me. I
can assure you. Here comes Henry" The
little lady arose and fitted TO meet her
husband.
''Goodt" You are both On time" said the
husband genially. Now, Janet, we'll get
the 5:10 train out to Graces."
.Oh, Henry!'' and the little lady's voice
took on coaxing tone. Won't you please
telephone Grace that We can't possibly
come out to dinner tonight? I'm tired to
death after my luncheon and coming down
to meet Aunt Lou. / simply can't CO."
So Henry telephoned.