The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-02
AN EVENTFUL DAY.
RECEIVING CONGRATULATIONS OVER
AN ENGAGEMENT.


Tom and Sybilla are engaged, and
tho time has como when their friends
are to pay their compliments.
On the eventful day Sybilla is ready
to receive her congratulatory callers, a
picture of blissful loneliness in what
her dressmaker describes as an IAN
nouncement gown" 1t is not all of
white, for that would bo too bridclike
but there is Il skirt of snowy embroid-
cred crepe lisse, and over that long
empire coat of white satin, brocaded in
pale pink rosebuds, with waistcoat of
silver embroidery on pink satin and a
cravat of old venetian point Deep ruff
fles of the same lace fall over tho hands
and almost hide the diamond which ev-
erybody wants to sec. Gloves are out
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 I'M
consciously, and who can wonder that
she makes 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 UNI
pleasant bodies" in the Charles?
The next younger sister sits ut the tea
table, promoted for tho first timo to
that responsible post, impressed with
her new dignity of u Psyche knot re-
placing the schoolgirl braids and the
! Immediate prospect of coming out, now
that Sybilla is disposed Of There is
constant stream of visitors Congratu-
lations arc 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 his 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 no steals glance
at Sybilla, whose bushes seem to have
burned themselves in indelibly, and
breathcs an unconscious sigh of salts
faction.
Yes, no has certainly made very
good choice. So far as looks go, there
Is hardly girl in town who can hold
candle to her; her figure particularly
IS enchanting, and she wears her
clothes. simple (D rs they are, to perfec-
ton. 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 long and very happy COM
partnership. AT the same time he realizes
all the joys of bachelorhood he is re-
nouncing. Already he has felt per-
ceptible GOODNESS in the warmth with
which tho feminine portion of society
receives him, for he is no longer eligi-
bio 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 arc laying plans for the
salmon fishing next year are leaving his
name out of the question. Then, too,
as if by tacit consent. Well, to be sure,
just then he will DO busy furnishing the
house he means to build for himself
and Sybilla and thinking of more seri-
Gus 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 her
loving heart i'll her, he thinks himself
little better than cur to have yearned,
even for moment, for the flesh pots
of 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 III the dining room looks as if
royalty were to be entertained, with
all tho best silver, glass and china dis
played-maidenhair and La France
roses, pink shades for the candles and
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 out upon ETH
quette, insists upon taking tho chair
next her. The old aunt opposite has a
vague notion that he squeezes her hand
once or twice under the table, but her
eyes are dim and her glasses poor, so it
remains forever unsettled.
great deal ofdaughing and talking
goes on from oysters to ices, and then
there are to be speeches. Papa rises and
begins it. The uncles follow with good
wishes and congratulations, SO cordially
and tcnderly expressed that all the
aunts sniff audibly, and mamma disap-
pears behind her handkerchief, not to
emerge for good 10 minutes. Tom
says 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 a
moment in the hall Roth look q littIa