thing. Only just a father, who's heavenly kind and
generous, but no good for advice or consulting talks."

"All right, Mona girl, we won't indulge in real talk now, for the girls
will begin to come in a minute. Go and primp a little, and then come
down to the drawing-room."

Patty ran downstairs, Mona soon followed, and then the guests arrived.

In an effort to have a new sort of a shower, Patty had decreed a lace
shower, and many and varied were the gifts. As Patty had wisely
remarked, lace gave a wide scope. One could choose valuable specimens
of real lace or trifling affairs that were pretty and inexpensive.

And so, when the time for their exhibition came the score of merry
young people sat breathlessly awaiting the fun.

In the doorway appeared Elise, in the costume of a Brittany peasant.
She carried a huge white basket ornamented with orange blossoms and
fluttering white ribbons.

"Laces, lady?" she said, approaching Mona. "Nice, pretty laces.
Handiwork of the humble peasants for the grand lady. Accept,--please."

With bows and curtseys, Elise opened the basket and placed it at Mona's
feet.

Delightedly, Mona examined the contents, and at each gift a chorus of
exclamations went up from all the admiring throng.

Patty's offering was a tablecloth of Filet Antique and Venetian
embroidery, and was among the most beautiful in the lot.

Elise gave a berthe of rose point, and Nan a Duchesse lace fan. But
most of the gifts were of a simpler nature, and dainty boudoir pillows,
table scarfs, bags, caps, and handkerchiefs made up the filmy shower
and delighted the heart of the recipient.

Mona was radiant with joy. Although a pampered favourite of fortune,
she was especially fond of receiving gifts, and she loved every
individual lace confection and warmly thanked the donors.

"The things are heavenly, girls," she cried; "perfectly darling, every
one of them! I can't thank you enough, but my heart is just
overflowing with honest-to-goodness gratitude. Oh, I _do_ love 'em
so!" and gathering the whole lot in her arms, she rocked back and forth
in ecstasy. "How did you ever come to think of a lace shower, Patty?
I love lace more than anything on earth--except Roger,--and I shall
furnish my house with these beauty things. Oh, you are all so good to
me!"

Tea was served in the dining-room, and Mona graced the head of the
table, with her bridal attendants on either side of her. The place
cards and favo