Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-06-23
A DRESS REHEARSAL.
GOOD STORY or A YOUNG MISS WHO
YEARNED FOR SOCIETY.

GOOD STORY or A YOUNG MISS WHO
YEARNED FOR SOCIETY.
Her Premature Entrance Into the Charm
ed Circle and Hts Results-An Amiab1e
Feminine Cousin and a Perfectly Horri-
fed Mamma.
A good story is told concerning one
Of last winters debutantes, and since
the heroine tells it on herself there is
no improperly in making it public
The winter before last Miss M. was
still in the schoolroom, and though
she possessed social aspirations they
were not gratifed 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 great deal, her wardrobe
was thing of wonderful fascination
to little Miss M. Singularly enough,
the figures of the two girls were OF an
exact size, and the younger found con-
slant delight in arraying herself in the
frippery belonging to her good natured
cousin. Many an hour was devoted to
houncing 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 gage
ties, to the envy of the young daughter
of the house One day Mrs. M. was
indisposed, and the rich cousin was con-
fronted with the necessity Of attending
by herself 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, WE'LL" said she,
"lend me some of your clothes and let
me go with you. Mother will never
know anything about it"
Being as amiable as rich, the visitor
consented, promising herself treat in
beholding her young Cousins entrance
into society. Only 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 mar
ron
And aIl che time the little society
fedgling was quaking and fearing and
blushing and suffering agonies behind
/ the veil 1t was embarrassing 70 ac-
knowledge that she was not going tc
/! 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 fbs necessary to invent
paralyzed her conscience.
And the little Miss M. breathed 6
sigh Of relief when, arrayed in her OWL
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. M. 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. M. and Miss M" Mrs M
passed these over with only an elevation
OF the eyebrows, but her daughte
thought it wise to leave the room. Open
ing her private letters, Mrs. M. read I
note from friend apologizing for so
cial error and inviting Miss M. to assis
at her at home that afternoon. A secont
note contained an apology for not hav
ing invited Miss M. to a debutant
luncheon Oh the previous day.
Mrs NJ was completely mystified
but an early visitor soon opened he
eyes. This visitor called hurried.
to say how surprised she was that Mrs
NJ. was introducing a daughter, an'
compliments were profuse upon th
beauty and success Of that daughter
''Sha was quite the sweetest thing yes
terday at the musicale. Every one fel
in love with her. I want her to fill al
unexpected vacancy in my young PEG
ples dinner tonight. -
Mrs. NJ gasped out: ''There must b
some mistake. I have no daughter il
society"
"Why, your niece introduced her t
! me, interrupted the ssstonished visitor
! But by this time Mrs M. was ring
, ing the bell furiously and both nice
and daughter were hurriedly summon
ed Explanations followed, and ulti
nately forgiveness, but it was som
! time before Mrs III. managed to con
! vince society that she was not Launching
q beautiful daughter that season.
ii Last winter, when this same charm
, ing girl came out formally and correct
ly, and in her own instead of borrowe
l fnery, there must have been several sc
ciety men saying to themselves: "B
4 Jove, where have seen somebody lik
4 Miss M? Must have been some one
( met last season. Washington Star.
al The Latter Day Jerusalem.