The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-07-16
HER GOOD TASTE
BY KITTY PARSONS.


proval, Betty Van Ness became en-
gagged to very nice, but very poor
young maj. He was only q sergeant
in the army, which was a bitter blow
to Mrs. Van Ness, whose other daugh-
ter was about to marry no less q per
son than colonel rich middle
aged man old enough to be Althea's
father.
I'm more disappointed In you than
l can say" exclaimed Mrs. Van Ness,
a few days before Althea's wedding.
Here you are, rich, well dressed and
quite as good looking as your twin
sister, and you have neglected your
advantages shamelesslyI I refuse to
consider your marriage at all, unless
you choose another man. You haven't
an atom Of your sisters common
sense!''
Il don't care bit for worldly adj
vantages," fared the girl. Ned has
made his own way, know. and I'm
proud Of him for it!
eve will not discuss the matter fur
Their now. You had. better see If Al
thea's wedding gown has returned
from the dressmaker's-the not too
much time"
Betty went Immediately, glad to have
the interview ended.
When she entered Althea's room
she found her sister reading q maya
zine. A large unopened box lay on her
bed.
"Althea Van Ness! Do you mean to
say you haven't looked at your dressl
What girli"
Althea laughed. "Well, you see, the
story was interesting so didn't both
er. wish you'd slip 1t on, dear, and
see If it fits. We're exactly the same
size and I'm so tired Of trying things
on"
Betty obeyed, and in a moment she
was vision of snowy white and sill
yer. She looked at herself admiringly
in the glass.
ooh, dear" she sighed. "In never
look like this If mother has anything
to say about it, for simply won't
marry anyone elsei"
The wedding was to be at eight
O'Clock in the evening and by eight In
the morning of the great day, the
house began to show signs Of prep
aration, while they were at the
lunch table, Colonel Gould came in,
greatly excited.
Something very Unforeseen has oc-
Cured" he began hurriedly. 81 have
the most urgent orders to leave this
afternoon and we will have to be mar
ried at once! / cannot explain very
much, but 1t Is unavoidable and there
must be no delay. The minister Is In
the drawing room and Sergeant Moore
viii act as best man. met him down
at headquarters as was leaving, and
brought him along. You'll forgive me,
please, Mrs. Van Ness, but he's a fine
young man, and 1t was impossible to
find anyone else at this hour"
81 do not understand the army at
ALL" Mrs. Van Ness exclaimed indig-
nantly. 'They must have known 1t
would be terrible inconvenience for
us-I shall be mortified to death trying
to explain to people! Imagine it.
hundreds of guests and no wedding
It's the most impossible thing I've ever
known"
Mrs. Van Ness was fairly purple
with anger. The idea Of making her.
self ridiculous was terrible to her
nothing could be worse!
The ceremony was performed, how
ever, with Betty and Ned Moore as
the only attendants and the entire
party in morning dress. Then, with
everybody's help, Althea and the colo
mel made the five o'clock train for
Washington and Mrs. Van Ness,
in blind fury Of rage and disappoint-
ment, gave way to helpless tears.
"Only think Of the guests" she
.stormed. "And no bride and grooml
It's hopeless hopeless!"
Betty and Ned came back from the
train, flushed with excitement. Even
Mrs. Van Ness had to admit that
he was a very good-looking young
man.
"Please, mother dear, let us take
their places and be married tonight;
Please, please, please, mother!" Betty
knelt beside her mothers chair and
| looked up at her imploringly. "Althea's
dress just fits me, and everyone will
| be so surprised and SO pleased and
4
| plan 1t all! Please, mother dearw
| This was the final straw, and Mrs.
Van Ness had to give in. She could
| mot bear to have all her plans upset,
| so she made the concession.
1--WE just had q commission for Sec
| ond lieutenant, too, so 1t will sound
| better" added Ned, and Mrs. Van
Ness actually held out her hand and
| congratulated him.
| what a beautiful wedding!" ex-
| claimed one of the guests that eve
ming. "And how charming the groom
is-quite an addition to the family -
| said someone else.
Mrs. Van Ness always had good
TASTE" added another. This was so
| clever of herI"
The next day Althea read the an
announcement to her husband. the colo
mel, and they laughed together.
IF mother knew that you didn't
have to go yesterday, wouldn't she