CHAPTER X - PREPARING FOR THE FRAY
The next few days were indeed bussy
for Ethel and Bernard. First of all Ethel got
some dainty pink note paper with silver crest on it
and sent out invitations in the following terms to
all their frends.
Miss Ethel Monticue will be married to
Mr Bernard Clark at Westminster Abbey on June
10th. Your company is requested there at 2-30
sharp and afterwards for refreshment at the Gaierty
Hotel. R.S.V.P.
Having posted heaps of these and got
several replies Ethel began to order her wedding dress
which cost a good bit. She chose a rich satin
with a humped pattern of gold on the pure white and
it had a long train edged with Airum lilies.
Her veil was of pure lace with a crown of orange blossum.
Her bouquett she ordered to be of white dog daisies
St. Joseph lilies and orange blossums tied up with
pale blue satin ribbon.
You will indeed be a charming spectacle
my darling gasped Bernard as they left the shop.
Then they drove to the tailor where Bernard ordered
an elligant black suit with coat tails lined with crimson
satin and a pale lavender tie and an opera hat of the
same hue and he intended to wear violets in his buttonholes
also his best white spats diamond studs and a few
extras of costly air. They both ordered a lot
of new clothes besides and Bernard gave Ethel a very
huge tara made of rubies and diamonds also two rich
bracelets and Ethel gave him a bran new trunk of shiny
green leather. The earl of Clincham sent a charming
gift of some hem stitched sheets edged with real lace
and a photo of himself in a striking attitude. Mr Salteena sent Ethel a bible with a few pious
words of advice and regret and he sent Bernard a very
handy little camp stool. Ethels parents were too
poor to come so far but her Mother sent her a gold
watch which did not go but had been some years in
the family and her father provided a cheque for L2
and promised to send her a darling little baby calf
when ready. Then they ordered the most splendid
refreshments they had tea and coffie and sparkling
wines to drink also a lovly wedding cake of great
height with a sugar angel at the top holding a sword
made of almond paste. They had countless cakes
besides also ices jelly merangs jam tarts with plenty
of jam on each some cold tongue some ham with salid
and a pig’s head done up in a wondrous manner.
Ethel could hardly contain herself as she gazed at
the sumpshious repast and Bernard gave her a glass
of rich wine while he imbibed some whiskey before
going to bed. Ethel got speedilly into her bed for the last time at the dear old Gaierty and
shed a few salt tears thinking of her past life but
she quickly cheerd up and began to plan about how
many children she would have. I hope I shall have
a good lot she thourght to herself and so saying fell
into repose.