The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-05-12
AT MRS. VAN TROMP'S.

The Van Tromp mansion was brilliant
ly illuminated.
Carriage after carriage rolled up to
the awning that rooted the crossing from
the curbstone to the marble Steps of the
stately old building, and crowds of Curl
GUS idlers defied the drizzfing rain to
catch ieeting glimpse of the guests as
they hurried shiveringly into the house.
1t goes without saying that a gather
ing where CAROLS and Cadwalladers
were to dance with Winthrops, Living
stons and Bidd1es would be thor
oughly swell" and exclusive affair.
Old Ben stood guard at the entrance
doors.
He had Graded the grandfather of the
present master of the house and knew
the social creme de la creme, not only
from long association in the capacity of
butler of the Van Tromps, but by in
stinct almost.
Ben was making his profoundest obei-
sance to wrinkled old dowager, who, as
little girl, had listened to his fables,
when faultlessly appointed eauipage
drove up to the curb with clanking
chains.
The Inverted servant vaulted from the
coach box and opened the carriage door
with bow of the most approved form.
A very pretty blond head, a hand
some, rosy face, matcMess bust, and
the balance of an elegantly attired fig
ure, not to forget the tiniest tiptoes of a
satin slippered pair of feet, emerged.
Her bearing was aristocratic, yet not
naughty, her dress in admirable taste
and the diamonds of that thoroughly
proper size, color and arrangement char
acteristic of old family jewels.
Altogether she made an appearance
that charmed and delighted the onlook-
ers, including old Ben.
However, despite years of proximity
to well bred people, the colored cerberus
could not repress the low exclamation,
70 de Ian sake, when he failed to see
any one else leave the carriage after her.
The doors were opened and the way to
the cloakroom was shown to the new
conner.
Her wraps being disposed of she as
cended the five or six steps that led to
the reception room.
Mrs. Van Tromp hadnotquite finished
her ELUSIVE greeting of the great grand
daughter of a colonial governor when
she saw the young lady. How was it
that she did not know the handsome
guest?
She vainly strove to recollect the name
while extending her hands to the new
conner, who tremblingly placed her own
therein, saying, with a faltering voice:
Mrs. De Ryder sends through me her
most sincere regrets at her inability to
enjoy your hospitality tonight"
"Oh, am very, very sorry she could
not come, but of course am more than
delighted to entertain her charming rep
resentative," eagerly responded the
hostess, as she thought of the dowager
lady of the Baltimore De Ryders.
Once within the hallowed abode of ex-
clusiveness the young lady withdrew to
a comparatively dark corner and sur
veyed the kings and queens of society
and their surroundings with an odd
mingling of wonderment, awe and curl
osity, and with the critical eye of one
bent upon impressing even the smallest
details upon the memory.
Red satin hangings, embroidered
with the Van Tromp coat of arms in
gold and silver, festoons Of msrechal
MEL roses entwined with maidenhair
ferns and studded with incandescent
lights in colored globes" she murmured
to herself
Furniture in white and silver
just then the band begs 81 10 play, and
she continued, music bv about twelve
string instruments, and oh, how deli
cious" she added, as she half uncon-
sciously tapped the time of the tune with
her slipper.
Il have come for my waltz, Miss Van
dercook," said a gentleman to a young
lady who had been sitting beside her.
and the two walked away and were
soon lost among the dancers.
hnOCACOOh. Miss Wills
pered the curiou Young woman. Il
must remember that name" and she told
off the letters On her fingers. She did
the same with every name she heard
mentioned Thereafter.
DO You not dance at all?' she sud
denly heard herself asked, and turning
toward the speaker she recognized the
host. Ere she had time 10 reply, he
added, But beg vour pardon for one
moment, as he started 10 walk toward
a group of young men who were chat
ing in window alcove.
Presently he returned with a tail,
blond gentleman. whom he introduced
As My friend ana old college chum,
Mr.. Jack Rush." and turning 70 the
athletic young man he said, A friend
of the De Ryders."
Five minutes later the new acquaint-
ances We're doing full justice 10 the salta-
torial inspiration created by Strauss
breezy music.
After the dance they sat down togeth-
er and talked. Her evident aversion to-
ward discussing conventional seciesT
topics amused MIN, and the naive and
sensible way in which she expressed he.