The herald., 1896-02-10
TWO LETTERS AND A CARD.

My Dearest Lucy: Here is my visit to
Sybl nearly over, and l haven't written to
you yet but it's because l simply haven't
had time / have been doing something
every moment, and whatever fault might
find, if l wished to, | must say Sybil has
done her best to entertain me. She is very
much altered since We were all schoolgirls
together; grown so plain mot that she ever
was beautiful, was she0. but you know
her mouth was very pretty. Now, 1 don't
know, but / suspect she has a couple of
what Dickie calls "hired teeth" because
the shape or expression of her lips has al
tered. Perhaps it's disappointment at not
having had an offer yet, for l don't suppose
she has, as she isn't married, and seems to
have had no interesting experiences to tell
Of OF course, she always did dress like
a guy-positiyely | was ashamed when we
went out together, and had to add knot
of ribbon collar, and width to her sleeves,
just for self-protecton. l think it must
have been her mind we admired at school
wasn't it? or something of the sort, for she
still says a clever thing once in while;
not exactly often, but still frequently
enough to remind you of what she did once
She looks like well preserved woman Of
say-three years older than she really is,
and wouldn't help her looks along for any
thing in the world! Not that | advocate
cosmetics, as you know. l never Use them
at all myself. except days when I'm feel
ing bad, or evenings when I wan5 especially
to make an impression, for some reason or
other. Then | call the use of very little
perfectly legitimate. But, dear me, what
time l have putting it on! Sybil never
leaves me alone for a moment Our rooms
are together, and she dresses mostly in
mine. / actually have to go to the bath
room, lock the door, turn on the water and
rot and lit hath
to myself, with my little pocket box of red
and white powder! One night 1 couldn't
make that opportunity and the family
nearly bored me to death with inquiries
about my health and fatigue, and wanted
to give up going to dance on my account!
/ shall never forget that party l hate to
visit people with families, don't you? Not
that SYPHILIS weren't charming to me, they
were perfectly lovely, and, l think, really
enjoyed meeting me tremendously. But my
dear, think Of trying to give a smart din
ner party with two old maiden aunts and
one under-age boy, who always insists on
being at the table! And then, when we
went anywhere, we were perfect cara
van, and had to go in relays, or in a pro-
cesslon Of carriages! Not that they don't
know how the thing ought really to be
done. Sybil is exceedingly well born, there's
no denying that, and you can tell it from
the furniture and old portraits, which are
where, and haven't Duveens and Cypher's
price marks on them, either. So Sybi has
very swell little trap of her own, and
charming little foctman. with a quite cor
rect livery; but these things don't seem es-
sential to her-I believe she could get along
without them. There always was some
thing lacking in her; 1 used to notice it in
the old days.
am coming home the day after to-mor-
row. My visit isn't really up; 1 planned
to stay two weeks, as they asked me, but 1
cant stand 1t. / said l would at first and
that's the trouble; but, you see, had for
gotten what these small towns were like
My dear! Such parties! like children's
affairs! and such conversations, Every
girl I've met here asked me If l didn't love
'Trilby," and If I've seen the play, and to
please tell them all about it. l told SYPHILIS
mother I'd been twice, but the people with
me had been so amusing l didn't follow
much of the play. You ought to have seen
her expression. 1t was the day she came
to ask me to wear one of my other evening
gowns, instead of my white satin ball
dress, at the rest of their fiddle-dy-dee par
ties. You know my white satin, the best
thing l have, and the most becoming-the
one with the shoulder straps that don't
go over the shoulders, but around the arms.
Somebody or other had said it was too
decollete, or something like that. Did you
ever hear of anything so ridiculous-prob-
ably some girl with scrawny neck.
The men are delightful, really so de-
voted, not half SO careless or negligent
as most New York men, and fall earnestly
In love with you. But, on the other hand
they're entirely too timid-never take the
slightest liberties. However, suppose
that's more the girls fault than theirs
It's been my experience when girls bored
by mans not going too far with her, she
has only herself to blame
But to tell you the real purpose of this
letter. What want you to do is, to send
me a telegram Immediately on receipt of
this, sign 1t mother. and say I'm wanted
home at once, some social engagement
cannot miss, SO that Sybil will realize I
can't help breaking short my visit to her.
You see, they've made plans for next week.
so must have good excuse for disap-
pointing them. Good-by. Don't forget to
send the telegram at once. My clothes
have been a huge success, and I've had
lovely time, but l don't believe in wear
ing out ones welcome, do you? How is
Harry? Still devoted?
With love and KISSES BLANCHE.