Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-10-27
EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES,

The last touch was given 20 the dainty
toilette, and escaping from the hands of
mamma and maid, little Elsie Baird went
slowly down the polished stairs, buttoning
the last glove as she went
" Just little while more and it will be-
gin," she thought. "What fun it is to be
grown up! | am glad now that mamma
wouldn't let me go to the Rogers ball in the
spring. It's great deal nicer to have my
own the very first, and not-Ohr' with a
sudden scream of delight, as the turn of
the landing brought into view the hall be-
low, lamp-hung and fower-festooned, with
orange trees and white budded laurestines
yelling the corners; and screening the
musicians stand, tall bank of waxen fair
and rose-red camellias, to which Cousin
Robert and the gardener were at this mo-
ment putting the last touches All these
wonder had been evoked since Elsie went
up stairs for the preparatory nap. No
wonder she cried "Ohw
at is fairyland 1t is too beautiful to
be true !" she called down over the balus-
trude.
"Just So" responded her cousin from
below-"quite too beautiful to be true,D
looking admiringly at the slender vision in
heecy white as it came sweeping down,
and noting each point, the dimpled
shoulders, the tender bloom, the fufis of
golden hair which played around that
sweetest face, in which child and woman
seemed to blend SO wonderfully. "Well,
Elsie, l call that well got up What,
three bouquets How are you going to
manage with them all, may l ask"
Do | look NICE" said Elsie, twisting
her head round to survey her train-that
long incumbrance which to her imagina-
ton seemed the visible badge and diploma
of young ladyhood. 81 am glad you like
my dress, Cousin Robert. And isn't it
fun?-about the bouquets / mean. They
all came while was asleep This big one
is from Harry Blount. Did you ever see
such a monster? He must have cut every
flower in his mothers greenhouse. And
such a note as came with it. Dear Elsie,
wear these for my sake Now, Cousin
Robert imagine me wearing such thingr'
at is rather like a prize cabbage" re-
marked Robert, surveying the huge bou-
quet with critical eye. We'll, who sent
the others ~
This one ! am really proud Of" said
Elsie dimpling with satisfaction. "Maior
Strange sent it, and it's exactly like the
bouquets which all the other girls have,
and makes me feel really and truly grown
Nv ! hot e IL
flowers have any stems. And hate those
wires-they look so cruel"
And the third, which you are holding
so tightT
"Now, that one really is remarkable
said Elsie, blushing not little Mamma
would hardly believe it. See how appro-
pirate il is!-all white rosebuds, with Just
this little border of heliotrope to give it
color So appropriate you think
500"
Highly appropriate to child's fu-
neral" remarked her cousin, grimly. "You
needn't show the card l know the fell
low"
al don't believe you guessed right at
all" pronounced Elsie, waving the card
triumphantly above her head" The Rev.
Cyril Forsythe There Did you ever ?
l know, of course, that it's all meant as
politeness to me and mamma, but it's great
fun, all the same. Bouquets, and engaged
already for the german! What will come
next? Cousin Robert, what if l should
have an offer?'
"Do You particularly want one tonight,
Midget?"
ooh, no, not tonight; but some day /
think it would be nice to have one. Now,
what shall do with my flowers? l can't
carry them all"
"It's rather like Goals to Newcastle to
give you another when you can't dispose
of those you have already" said Robert
Still, here's a posy which 1 had brought
you myself"
Charming cried Elsie, throwing her
fragrant load on the table and Selling the
dewy mass of scarlet bloom which he held
out. "You always hit on Just the incest
at all well with my dress. Seew holding
the flowers against her snowy bodice with
great effect ''Mayn't carry these, Robin
dear?" coaxingly; 81 like them so much
the best"
"Robin dear" demurred, though he
kissed the little gloved-hand as token OIL
gratitude for the preference 1t was finally
settled that all the bouquets should lie to-
gether on little table, and that Elsie
should give each AN airing in turn during
the evening.
With an inaudible sigh, Robert Baird
watched his darling as guests arrived, and
the music began to sound from behind the
camcllia screen. The soft, round cheeks he
loved grew roster: the sweet, delighted
eyes glowed with excitement; Elsie, his
pet and treasure, was fairly launched on
the fair but treacherous sea of society, and
a sense of loss and deprivation seized his
spirits.
The old homestead, of which he was
joint owner, had never looked upon pref
tier scene. Outside, the moonlit piazzas
were sweet with honeysuckle, the gardens
beyond twinkled with Chinese lanterns.
across the soft dusls and shadowy vistas
forms in white fitted, gay laughs broke
the dewy silences. Dear little Elsie had
done the honors prettily by mammals side;
but now the tide of incoming guests slack
ems. Some one offers his arm. She is going
off to dance at last, thinks Robert. But
no; the young rector is surely not dane
ing man. On his arm, his flowers in her
hand, Elsie vanishes. And Robert, with a
face which is little sad and not little
savage, turns away, and spurs himself up
to his hospitable duties.
at is very good of YOU" said Mr.. For
sythe, softly, as they gained the piazza,
"to give the first dance-time to me. 1t is
better than anything else could be TO be
here in this starry silence under heavens
arch, and with you"
Elsie was much awed and impressed.
Was this the way in which clergymen
talked to young ladies? How nice it was
She had been little afraid that he
would ask her about her soul, and Elsie
did not know much about souls as yet
Still, she was a practical little dam
sci, and having gazed mp at "heaven's
ARCH" and seen only the piazza roof, she
ventured TO say, Didn't you ever care
about dancing, Mr.. Forsythe ~
He looked down serenely at her from
his height of six feet two, but did not
seem offended with the question-only
saintly-which Elsie noted with relief
" Not very much" he answered, gently.
" And my time is so full of other and
drawer duties that it is no small matter of
regret to me that the Church has set the
seal of her disapprovai on such pleasures
in the case Of her ordained servants, whose
life-work is or shoald be, solemn and en-