The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1894-01-15
AN EVENTFUL DAY.
RECEIVING CONGRATULATIONS OVER
AN ENGAGEMENT.

-~@~Sg ~A1HAS 6AN
Chums-The Happy Hour Alone.
Tom 'and Sybilla are engaged, aat
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 blissful loveliness in what
her dressmaker describes as an "an-
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 owe that a long
empire coat of white satin, brocaded in
pale pink rOsebuds, with a waistcoat of
silver embroidery on pink satin and a
cravat of old venetian point. Deep ruff
fes of the same lace fall wei the hands
and almost hide the diamond which ev-
erybody wants to see. 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 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 I'M
pleasant bodies' in the Charles?
The next younger sister sits at the tea
table, promoted for the first time to
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
blessings of his aunts to the tests
and rallyngs of the fellows from the
club who have come primed with the
usual jokes intended for just such occa- |
Now and then he steals a glance |
at Sybilla, whose bushes seem to have
themselves in indelibly, and
breathes an unconscious sigh of salts |
faction.
Yes, he has 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
simple O. as they are, to perfec-
AS to character, they have al
ways hit it off admirably, and as their
are the same there is no earthly
'easOn why they should not be at the be-
Of a long and very happy COM
)aniOnship. At the same time he realizes
I'll the joys Of bachelorhood he is re-
louncing. Already he has felt a per-
GOODNESS in the warmth with
which the feminine portion of society
him, for he is no longer eligi-
lie and surrounded with the becoming
lalO which invests a possible husband.
lie is left out Of many jolly little par
les of shooters bound for the cape, and
fellows who are laying plans for the
fishing next year are leaving his
out of the question. Then, too,
S if by tacit consent. Well, to be sure, ,
ust then he will be busy furnishing the j
he means to build for himself t
Sybilla and thinking of more seri-
US things than rod and reel, but on the s
7hole h is worth all he gives up, and
s their eyes meet again and he sees her I
heart in her, he thinks himself l
title better than a cur to have yearned, :
ven for a moment, for the flesh pots
f Egypt. e
The nearest and dearest Of the rela- Z
yes have been asked to remain for din 8
er. The house is en- fete, and the long
able in the dining roC' looks as if +
oyalty were to be Ct aimed, with /
IL the best silver, glass &n4 china dis c
northumberland and La France f.
oses, pink shades for the candles and a s
lenu which proves clearly that the :,
ok has realized the Importance of the
ccaslon n means to Guido all her
revlous triumphs. Sybilla, as the OBJ
ct of honor, sits at papa's right hand, 3
I'd Tom, who had cried out upon eti- =
lette, insists upon taking the chair H
ext her. The old aunt opposite has a
notion that he squeezes her hand .
ice or twice under the table, but her
'es are dim and her glasses poor, SO it
mains forever unsettled. N
A great deal Of laughing and talking !"
'es on from oysters to ices, and then re
ere are to be speeches. Papa rises and "
gins 1t. The uncles follow with good CO
lshes Il congratulations, so cordially bi
ID tenderly expressed that all the :,
lnts sniff audibly, and mamma disap-
ars behind her handkerchief, not to m
merge for a good 10 minutes. Tom b
Us a few frank, manly words which
use him to be regarded with open ia n
r, and then they all adjourn to the N
awning room again, Sybilla and he "
up the rear and lingering a
oment in the hall. Both look a little
infused when they enter. and the fam pr
discreetly forbear to. engage either bu
conversation at once. 80
There are singing and playing, and by to
. by carriages begin to roll up out Ia
e. IT is time for the aunts and un- Is
s to go. The pretty niece who has IL
ne so we'll for herself is kissed until tn.
blooms like a peony, and Tom comes =
for so many hearty handshakes that
fingers fairly ache, but at last it is all
n. and they are left by the fire in the