Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1894-05-18

| @AAc ~>@PPy --~-
Tom and Sybilla are engaged, an
the time has come when their friend
are to pay their compliments.
On the eventful day Sybilla is read.
to receive her congratulatory callers,
picture of blissful loneliness in wha
her dressmaker describes as an Ian
nouncement gown" 1t is not all O.
white, for that would be too bridelike
but there is skirt of snowy embroid
cred crepe lisse, and over that a long
empire coat of white satin, brocaded IN
pale pink rosebuds, with waistcoat Of
silver embroidery on pink satin and
| cravat of old venetian point. Deep ruf'
fies of the same lace fall over the hands
and almost hide the diamond which ev-
erybody wants to soo. 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 u 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 Psyche knot re-
placing the schoolgirl braids and the
immediate prospect of coming cut, now
that Sybilla is disposed Of There is
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 hls aunts to the lests
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 glance
at Sybilla, whose bushes seem to have
burned 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 girl in town who can hold
candle to her; her figure particularly
is enchanting, and she wears her
clothes, simple (D as 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
panionship. At the same time he realizes
all the joys of bacheloahood he is re.
nouncing. Already he has felt per-
ceptible GOODNESS in tho 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 possible husband.
He is left out 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 II 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-
Gus things than rod and reel, but ON tbe
whole she is worth all he gives IN. and
as their eyes meet again and he sees her
loving heart in her, he thinks himself
little better than cur to have yearned.
even for a moment, for the flesh po,a
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 lors
table in the dining room looks as 4
royalty were to be entertained, with
all the best silver, glass and china dis.
played-maidenhair and La Franco
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 oh.
Ject OF honor. sits at papa's right hand
and Tom, who had cried out upon Ell,
qnette. insists upon taking the chair
next her. The old aunt opposite has
vague notion that he squeezes her hand
once or twice under the table, but her
eyes are dim and her glasses Door, so II
remains forever unsettled.
A great deal of laughing and talkin,
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 cordiallv
and tenderly expressed that all tbe
aunts sniff audibly, and mamma disan.
pears behind her handkerchief NOT r.
emerge for good 10 minutes. Tom
says a few frank, manly words which
cause him to be regarded with open ia.
Vor, and then they all adjourn to tbe
1rawing room again, Sybilla and he
bringing up the rear and lingering
moment in the hall. Both look n littIa
confused when they enter. and the fam.
ly dlscreetly forbear to engage either
n conversation at once.
There are singing and playing. and bv
md by carriages begin to roll mn ont
ide. IL is time for tba o,,..