Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-05
A DnEsso REaEARsaL.
How a Debutante Had n Taste of Rea
Society atYears Too Soon,

Society atYeGrs Too Soon
A good story is soingtthe rounds concern
ing one of the seasons debutante's. and
since the heroine tells Il on herself, there
is no improperly in making 1t public. ), Z
r. Last winter Miss Nj was still In the
school room, and though she possessed So
cial aspirations, they We're not gratifede by
her mother. Aue9Hsips from Philadelphia
Came 4e spendEthB monkh of .January will
the family, and, ibeingoa an befTess and &c.
accustomed to going about a great deal, her
wardrobe was a thing of wonderful fas-
clnatioa to little Miss M Singula rIy
enough, the figures Of the two girls were Of
an exact size, ard the younger found con-
slant delight in arraying herself in. the
frippery belonging to. her good-natured
cousin. Many an hour was devoted to
ficuneang about the third story with long
skirts and hair tucked up under the latest
be met Importation, and there was much
secret practice with lorgnette and ian.
Mrs. M and the rich cousin were plung-
ed to the eyebrows in social gayeties, to the
One day Mrs. M was indisposed. and
the rich cousin vas confronted with the
necessity Of attending by herself a must
Gale, three teas and making the cabinet
ing alone her youthful kinswoman was
seized with an inspiration. ooh, WE'LL"
said she, '1end me some Of your clothes
ana let me 60 with you: Mother will never
know anything about it."
Being as amiable as rich, the visitor con-
scented, promising herself treat in behold
ing her young cousins entrance into So
c1ety. Only a short time was necessary for
the changes of costume, and when the
heiress appeared at Mrs. Blanks musicale
every one turned to look twice at the stun
ming little figure. It was vision of bright
eyes behind tantalizing veil. rebellious
yellow curls carelessly knotted and feath-
ers, laces, velvets and silks irresistibIy
Frenchy.
II she was the sensation Of the musicale.
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 maroon.
And all the time the little society fledg-
ling was Quaking and fearing and blushing
and suffering agonies behind the veil. It
was embarrassing to acknowledge that she
was not going to this and that social func-
ton, had not seen the latest theatrical sue
cess, did not even know the visiting noble
man all the girls were raving over. Deeper
and deeper she became involved, and the
lyZed her conscience.
And the little Miss NJ breathed a sigh
of relief when, arrayed in her own ankle
length gown, she was safely installed in
her own home. Presumably her trials were
ended. But not so; there were consequences
to be faced.
The next morning Mrs MA-a appeared at
the breakfast table. and in the bunch Of
dressed to Miss M. Also there were
others with the inscription Mr.. and Mrs.
M and Miss M. Mrs NJ passed
these over with only an elevation Of the
eyebrows, but her daughter thought It wise
to leave the room. Opening her private let
tiers. Mrs. M read a note from friend
arologizing for sociai error and inviting
afternoon. A second note contained an
apology for not having invited Miss M
to a debutante luntheoh on the previous
day. Mrs. M was completely mys.ified,
but an early visitor soon opened her eyes.
This visitor called hurrIedly to say how sur
ducing daughter, and compliments were
profuse upon the beauty and success of
that daughter. "S4e was quite the sweet
est thing yesterdayiat the musicale. Every
one fell in love WITH her.. want her to All
an unexpected vacancy in my young peo-
Mrs. M gasped out: There must be
some mistake; havet no daughter in So
ciety." 81
..Why, your niece introduced her to me.,,
Interrupted the astonfshed visitor, But nv
this time Mrs M was ringing the he'll
furiously. and both ntace and daughter
were hurriedly summonkd. Explanations
followed, and. ultimately, forgiveness, but
1t was some time before Mrs M man
aged to convince society that she was NOT
launching a beautiful daughter that sea-
son.
This winter, when this same charming
girl came out formally and correctly. and
there must have been several society men
saying 10 themselves, by J0xa where
have fssean sorncbody IKE Mss 81, Mr.
have beeu sou1e one H5s1et last aeasuH. -