The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-23

HTESAS1S1 k&sSMSESgAS af0ss'T0IN form, she threw her arms around her father. neck Che first, and dearest, naturally and kissed him, and then-Wonder of Wonders!- she turned with little laugh to Tom. who wa: next, and embraced and kissed him, and then sht absolutely embraced and kissed them all.
 The effect of this very curious. First, the. fell dead in love with her, and second, they sud denly dislike another. They each rushed III to call that evening and, so as- to be sure to bt first in the field, they all went at instead O. eight. Anita wasn't done dinner and they had tc wait together in the groom, suffering from a mutual dearth of remarks, and a tendency tc stare at Francis George, who wearing hi! first evening clothes for the first time.
 But when Anita did come in she repaid then for all the agony, by being just too jolly and nice for words. She talked with them all, reminded ed them of loads of good times which they had for gotten, laughed jokes which they finally be came sufficiently unembarrassed to mpart to her ard then when it nearly ten o'clock and they had eaten seven pounds of French candy and had stuffed with lemonade and poundcake galore, she suddenly jumped up from her chair, across and squeezed herself in between Tom and Eddy the sofa, and, taking hand of each and looking about the rest, said, half-earnestly and half smilingly:
 And now I want to tell you all the secret; want you to know before anybody else knows
 
 to be my ushers.'
 At first they could hardly realize it. Tom bit his lip and Eddy sneezed. Francis George, whose poetic blood couldn't but in some way winked back tears and Harry 7nd will who had been coldly distant to one another ever since leaving the station four hours before, clasped hands involuntarily.
 "I'm going to be married in the church." Anita continued, oblivious of the mortal blows she was dealing about her, tand I'm going to have five girls for yourselves for my ushers. We're going to Japan and perhaps all the way around the w>rid after wards
 There was short pause and then Eddy said rather haltingly:
 "Is he-is he very old feilow?"
 '''No," said Anita. "he is thirty-two' then she added, Would you like to see his picture?''
 Well I wouldn't mind,' Eddy admitted, and she drew out from her belt what they had all SUD- posed to be her watch, and showed them a hand gold locket containing a miniature of good-looking man with heavy brown mustache They looked at it one after the other and all re- sented the mustache and its thickness.
 Then Francis George solemnly and said
 Well, I must be going. I'll be very pleased to help you in any way can.'
 "Oh, yes, all wil1.' they said.
 That will be so nice and dear of you,' said Anita, rising she spoke. The rest of the com- pany at the time.
 And I'm sure I congratulate you,' said Francis George, mournful1y trying to live up to the dignity of his costume.
 -Yes, he-he looks like a real good sort" said Eddy
 Thank you much," said Anita. She offered them candy but they refused firmly The had been taken from their appe- tites. They could only bid their hostess and one fuother goodbye and depart. The wedding took race the next month and the boys took part and cid their duty splendidly, although Tom had a splitting headache and Francis George nearly wept at the altar. The seven mothers sat in the pews just back of the families, and they shared tho emotions of Francis George when they all the eight together before them. As for Anita's mother the tears just poured down her face throughout the ceremony, for Anita looked absolutely babyish in her white robe and she wept the more that it was fully decided that, after Japan, they should around the world.
 Following the church ceremony there was a splendid wedding breakfast and a big reception straight through, up to, and including the trying minute when they each threw one of their old baby shoes after the bride
 Then ensued interval of peace-and college for they all entered the next autumn even to Eddy who had become quite thin with constant coaching.
 At Christmas they heard from Anita, who hadn't gone around the world after all, her husband hay ing decided in San Francisco that he hadn't even time to go to Japan. Grooms do give their brl1es such little surprises occasionally, and Anita had made up for hers by having her mother visit her. and exhibiting all her happiness to the latters maternal appreciation. It is really be doubted which Anitas mother enjoyed most, her visit or the coming home and telling about it. Antas mother one of the dearest and sweetest of women. but she could not forbear referring fre- quenly in the company of her old friends to Anita's trials in a house with twelve servants, Anita's husbands set ways in under circun-