The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1898-05-27

| fed Mamma.
A good story is told concerning one
Of last winters debutantes, and since
! the heroine tells it on herself there is
80 impropriety in making it public.
The winter before last Miss NJ. was
| still in the schoOlroom, and though
she possessed social aspirations they
were not gratified by her mother A
cousin from Philadelphia came to spend
the month of January with the family,
and being an heiress and accustomed TO
| going about a>great deal, her wardrobe
was thing of wonderful fascination
to little Miss NJ. Singularly enough,
the figures Of the two girls were of an
exact size, and the younger found con-
stant delight in arraying herself in the
| frippery belonging to her good natured
cousin. Many an hour was devoted to
| founcing about the third story with
long skirts and hair tucked up under
| the latest bonnet importation, and there
was much secret practice with lorgnette
and fan.
Mrs NJ and the rich cousin were
plunged to the eyebrows in social gaye-
ties, to the envy of the young daughter
of the house. One day Mrs. NJ. was
indisposed and the rich cousin was con-
fronted with the necessity of attending
by herself a musicale, three teas and
making the cabinet calls When she be-
moaned the fact of going alone, her
youthful kinswOman was seized with an
inspiration. "Oh, well," said she,
"lend me some of your clothes and let
me go with you. Mother will never
know anything about it. 4"
Being as amiable as rich, the visitor
consented, promising herself a treat in
behOlding her young Cousins entrance
into society. Only a short time was nee
essary for the changes of costume and
when the heiress appeared at Mrs.
Blanks musicale every one turned to
look twice at the stunning little figure.
1t was a vision Of bright eyes behind a
tantalizing veil, rebellious yellow curls
carelessly knotted and feathers, laces,
velvets and silks irresistibly Frenchy.
If she was the sensation of the musi-
Gale, she was the universal rage at the
teas. Every one wanted to meet her.
Young men fell over themselves and
others to obtain for her an ice or a mar
ron.
And all the time the little society
fiedgling was quaking and fearing and
blushing and suffering agonies behind
the veil. 1t was embarrassing to ac-
knowledge that she was not going to
this and that social function, had not
seen the latest theatrical success, did
not even know the visiting nobleman
all the girls were raving over. Deeper
and deeper she became involved, and
the number Of fibs necessary to invent
paralyzed her conscience.
And the little Miss M. breathed a
sigh Of relief when, arrayed in her own
angle length gown, she was safely in
stalled in her own home. Presumably
her trials were ended. But not so; there
were consequences to be faced.
The,next morning Mrs. NJ. appeared
at the breakfast table, and in the bunch
of mail there were several small envel
opes addressed to Miss NJ. Also there
were others with the inscription ''Mr.
and Mrs. NJ. and Miss NJ" " Mrs. M.
passed these over with only an elevation
of the eyebrows, but her daughter
thought it wise to leave the room. Open
ing her private letters, Mrs. NJ. read a
note from a friend apologizing for a So
cial error and inviting Miss NJ. to assist
at her at home that afternoon. A second
note contained an apology for not hav-
ing invited Miss NJ. to a debutante
luncheon ON the previous day.
Mrs NJ. was completely mystifed,
but an early visitor soon opened her
eyes. This visitor called hurriedly
to say how surprised she was that Mrs.
NJ. was introducing a daughter, and
compliments were profuse upon the
beauty and success of that daughter.
"She was quite the sweetest thing yes
terday at the musicale. Every one fell
in love with her. l want her to fill an
unexpected vacancy in my young peo-
ple's dinner tonight.
Mrs NJ. gaspea out: There must be
some mistake. I have no daughter in
society"
"Why, your niece introduced her to
me, " interrupted the astonished visitor.
But by this time Mrs. NJ. was ring
ing the bell furiOusly and both niece
and daughter were hurriedly summon
ed. Explanations followed, and ulti-
mately forgiveness, but it was some
time before Mrs. NJ. managed to con-
vince society that she was not launching
beautiful daughter that season.
Last winter, when this same charm
ing girl came out formally and correct
", and in her own instead of borrowed
finery, there must have been several So
ciety men saying TO themselves: by
LnYe- Where have I seen somebody like