Year: 1878

AN@AiA-A3 N~fDN~'''"S' @3

 NY DEAREST BELLR,-I was very much sur prsed to learn from your letter of the double wedding that is so soon to take place, especial ly after what happened during the girls visit here this summer, But between you and me- Marion would have liked very well to have stood in my shoes if she could only have man. aged it; and it's my opinion that when she saw it was impossible to win Edgar's affections, she was 80 mad that she made up her mind to be married to whenever she could lay hands on It was pretty smart of her to keep Fred White on hand for so long! 1 remember how he used to beau her as long ago as when we were at school together, and afterward when we had come out, at MT. Huntley's. But Mar ions is such an odd style, mot bit feminine, you know; and 1 think that has made her more anxions to secure what she could In spite of all people have said about her success in society, don't think any one admires her after they get to know her, 1 am sure there's at least one person who doesn't, and that's Ed gar Stuyvesant, because 1 asked him.

 Of course you are curious to know how our engagement came about, for really, after all, it happened very unexpectedly. You know that we have been intimate for 8 long time, and Edgar was always the most devoted es- cort that I had, but never dreamed of any thing more until our summer visitors arrived

 think it was the sight of the other gentle mems attentions, especially Raymond's that brough him to see that 1 was the one most nec- essary to his happiness. Anyhow, just little while after the girls went away, he proposed.

 The poor fellow was dreadfttlly gloomy all the time until then, and 1 hadn't the least idea what was the matter! I suppose he had heard the report about Raymond's being engaged to me that you spoke of, and feared to try his fate 1 don't see how you could have got the idea that Raymond had proposed to me from ! anything that ever told you, for Eve always been as careful not to reveal any such little se- crets as 1 have not to consider that a gentle man ever meant Gaaythtaag until he really pro- posed. Anything but this undisguised seeking for attention which some girls display! It makes me blush for them!

 Now, of coure I wouldn't say anythin 2 against Kitty Caxton for allthe world, but she made mamma and me fairly ashamed to have her act so with Raymond l was positively delighted when I discovered that he liked Frank Seabury, for thought it served Kitty just right It was only the fit punishment for such unwon1aniness ;but it cut her up awfully when she found it out. She hardly spoke a word to any one after it until that picnic when Frank Hendley rescued her from the water, and then she was ready to make up to him with all the sweetness she had lavished on Raymond. How girl can transfer her affec- l tioRs in that way, 1 can't see. But then Kit | ty always scos a Jtirt.

 1 I think she is so foolish to be married in \ white satin; it's very trying to any but the most delicate complexions. It's odd that we should all three fix on the same material.

 Do persuade Marion out of having Frank Seabury for bridesmaid, if you can. She's a

 little dowdy; not particle of style about her,

 and never will have, and know when it comes l to the last minute all you girls will be dread l fully ashamed of her. The least hling sb0aos so at e aoeclding. We have taken pains to see to everything, even to the minutest details. e am sorry that you can't be here to attend 1 our nuptlals, but of course if you promised the girls first, and to be bridesmaid, too you | couldn't disappoint them. < Iwish you could see my engagement ring, "a lovely thing, eight diamonds in the cluster l and large one in the center. Have you seen that cluster at Tffany's that every. one admires l SOP. Well, it's great deal handsomer than that, and much mere expensive. Edgar had it made express for the occasion from 6 new design, so that there are no others like it.

 l We are to have walters and cooks from Del

 lnonico's come down to prepare the refresh ments, so that I know everything will be recherche. It's such comfort to know that everything will go off just right without your 1 worrying about it. Then, too, my trousseau, l which is ordered direct from Paris, will be done without any trouble on my part; the on

 iy thing is to foot the bill, and papa is used to that, already. ! sg %tHE

 How pity Kitty and Marion who are run l ming hither and thither to do their shopping and. see to their dress- making, while I, with all my work done for me, am having such de l lightful time with Edgar Such lovely. rides as we have after his black horse Selirni Such delicious evenings in the parlor singing togeth-