Page:How and Why Library 532.jpg

436 open to the family. She may drive with him in the daytime, in an open carriage or automobile, and appear at afternoon receptions, matinees, concerts or at art exhibits without a chaperon. She may lunch with hi in a fashionable tea room, give him her photograph, correspond with him and visit his mother and sisters under their chaperonage. But she should not travel under his escort, nor stop in the same hotel with him, unless her mother is with her, nor dine alone with him after dark, nor attend evening entertainments with him alone, nor sit talking alone with him in her own home until a late hour. This may seem strict, but engagements do not always end in marriage. For the same reason a young man may not give his fiancee anything of value beside the ring. He can shower her with flowers, books and confectionery, but should not give her so much as a pair of gloves to wear. If the engagement should be broken the ring should be returned.

The groom's wedding gift, usually a necklace, brooch or other jewelry, and as costly as his purse can buy, he presents on the wedding morning, and the bride wears it to the altar. He is allowed to send the bridal bouquet to her, pay for the wedding ring and license, and give the minister his fee. He may also give a souvenir to the best man and ushers—a scarf pin—and a locket or bangle to the bridesmaids. The bride's family pays for everything else—the trousseau and household linen, which is marked with the bride's maiden initials; the invitation and announcement cards, the decorations at home and church, the music, carriages and wedding breakfast or reception refreshments. This rule is as fixed as the Constitution of the United States. The bride may be poor, the bridegroom rich—still she has only the kind of wedding her family can pay for.

WEDDING GIFTS AND INVITATIONS.
Gifts may be sent to the prospective bride by relatives and intimate friends at any time after the engagement is made public. Acquaintances may properly wait until the invitations are out. Presents that are bought are sent from the store, with the giver's card inclosed. It is as well not to have silver marked, as the bride may be oversupplied with some articles and wish to exchange them. Before