The Somerset reporter., 1894-01-11
Az EVENTFUL DAY.
RECEIVING Congratulations OVER
AN ENGAGEMENT.

Chums-The Happy Hour Alone.
Tom and Syhilla are engaged, and
the time has come when their friends
I tare To pay their compliments
, On the eveniful day Sybilla is ready
To receive her congratulatory callers, a
! picture of blissfu loveliness in what
! her dressmaker describes as an "an-
nounceifent gown" 1t is not all of
white. for that would be too bridelike,
| but there is IA skirt of snowy embroid-
/ ,red crepe lisse, and over that a long
, empire coat of white satin hrocaded in
pale pink rosebuds, with a waistcoat of
silver embroidery on pink satin and a
cravat of old venetian point. Deep ruff
tles 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 froek the wear
err 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 IN
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 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 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 he steals a glance
at Sybila, whose bushes seem to have
burned themselves in indelibly, and
b"eathes an unconscious sigh of salts
faction.
Yes, he 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, ana she wears her
clothes, simple @ 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 he at the be-
ginning OF long ana very happy COM
panlonshlp Az the same time he realizes
all the joys or bachelorhood he Is re-
nounclng Already he has felt per
eeptlpie coolhess IN the warmth with
which the feminine portion OF society
receives MN, Tor he Is no longer ei1gi-
Die ana surrounded win Inc becoming
halo which invests a possible husband.
tie is left out of many jolly little par
ties of shooters bound Tor the cape, and
tho fellows who are laying plans for the
salmon fishing next year arr leaving his
name out of the question. Then, too,
AS If by tacit consent. Well, to be sure,
just then he will be busy furnishing the
house he means to build for himself
and SybiIla 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 in 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-
lives have been asked to remain for din
ner. The house is en- fete, and the long
table in the dining room looks as if
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
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.
iect of honor, sits at papa s right hand,
and Tom who had cried out upon eti-
quette, insists upon taking the 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