The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-01-15
AN EVENTFUL DAY.
RECEIVING CONGRATULATIONS OVER
AN ENGAGEMENT.

4 Pleasing Ceremony which In Observed
I'm Some Families-Tem and sybilla Are
Petted and Patted by uncles. Aunts and
Chums-The Happy Hour Alone.,
Tom and Sybilla are engaged, and
the time has come when their friends
are to pay their compliments.
On the eventful day Sybilla is ready
to receive her congratulatory callers, a
picture OF blissfnl loneliness in what
her dressmaker describes as an IAN
nouncement gown 1t is not all of
white, for that would be too bridelike,
but there is a skirt of snowy embroid-
cred crepe lisse, and over that a long
empire coat OF white satin, brocaded in
pale pink rosebuds, with a waistcoat of
silver embroidery on pink satin and a
crayat of old venetian point. Deep ruff
Hes of the same lace fall over the hands
and almost hide the diamond which ev-
erybody wants to see. Gloves are ont
of the question. Some ultra fashiona-
BILE girls may wear them, but not Sybil-
la, who feels that it would be wicked to
conceal SO much splendor.
Add to this charming frock the wear
er's shining blond hair, her big blue
eyes, her lovely color and the happy
smile that plays round her mouth un-
consciously, and who can wonder that
she makes a picture fetching enough to
send all the old maids of the family
away signing with envy and regret, and
to fill her former admirers with desper-
ate resolutions of becoming damp un-
pleasant bodies in the Charles?
The next younger sister sits at the tea
table, promoted for the first time tC
that responsible post, impressed with
her new dignity of a Psyche knot re.
placing the schoolgirl braids and the
immediate prospect of coming out, now
that Sybilla is disposed of. There is a
constant stream of visitors. Congratu-
lations are hearty, though they are ex-
pressed with little variety. Tom, half
proud, half embarrassed stands by her
side, taking all phlegmatically from the
fearful blessings of has aunts to the Jests
and rallyings of the fellows from the
club who have come primed with the
usual jokes intended for just such occa-
sions. Now and then he steals a glance
at Sybilla, whose bushes seem to have
burned themselves in indelibly, and
breathes an unconscious sigh Of satis-
faction.
Yes, he q certainly made a very
good choice. So far as looks go, there
is hardly a girl in town who can hold a
candle to her; her figure particularly
is enchanting, and she wears her
clothes, simple Cd as they are, to perfec-
tion. AS to character, they have al
ways hit it off admirably, and as their
tastes are the same there is no earthly
reason why they should not be at the be-
ginning of a long and very happy com
partnership. Attic same time he realizes
all the joys of ,bachelorhood he is re-
nouncing. Already he has felt a per-
ceptihle GOODNESS in the warmth with
which the feminine portion of society
receives him, for he is no longer eligi-
BILE and surrounded with the becoming
halo which invests a possible husband.
He is left ont of many jolly little par
ties OF shooters bound for the cape. and
tho fellows who are laying plans for the
salmon fishing next year are leaving his
name out of the question. Then, too,
as il by tacit consent. Well, to be sure,
just then he will be busy furnishing the
house he means to build for himself
and Sybilla and thinking Of more seri-
ous things than rod and reel, but on the
whole she is worth all he gives up, and
as their eyes meet again and he sees he,
loving heart in her, he thinks himself
little better than a cur to have yearned,
even for a moment, for the flesh pots
ct Egypt.
The nearest and dearest Of the rela-
tives have been asked to remain for din
ner. The house is en- fete, and the long
table in the dining room looks as il
royalty were to be entertained, with
all the best silver, glass and china dis.
played-maidenhair and La France
roses, pink shades for the candles and q
menu which proves clearly that the
cook has realized the importance of the
occasion and means to Guido all her
previous triumphs. Sybilla, as the OBJ
ject Of honor, sits at papa's right hand,
and Tom, who had cried ont upon Ell
quette, insists upon taking the chair
next her. The old aunt opposite has a
vague notion that he squeezes her hand
once OF twice under the table, but her
eyes are dim and her glasses poor, so it
remains forever unsettled.
A great deal Of laughing and talking
goes on from oysters to fees, and then
there are to be speeches. Papa rises and
begins it. The uncles follow with good
wishes and congratulations, SO cordially
and tenderly expressed that all the
aunts sniff audibly, aud mamma disap-
pears behind her handkerchief, not te
emerge for a good 10 minutes. Tom
says q few frank, manly words which
cause him to be regarded with open IA
vor, and then they all adjourn to the
drawing room again, Sybilla and he
bringing up the rear and lingering
moment in the hall. Both look q little
confused when they enter. and the fam
ily discreetly forbear to engage eithel
In conversation at once.
, There are singing and playing, andb