The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-23
The Day Of Her Debut.

bowl, his walters, his salted almonds, and
his bills went from house 70 house turing
the season. The man at the door wished
stark would get new punchbowf II 1t
Were not for the different faces that APP
peared behind It at every house ufe TO
him would be one long, unendtng pafty.
From his post he could see the table In
the dining-room, and he knew from the
height Of the candles that It was nearly
8. The men would be coming soon.
Matronly women in long fur wraps were
waiting for their carriages, AID girls in
picture hats and trailing silks slipped
through the throng into the drawing
room. A sweet-faced young girl IN white
chiffon, with her arms full Of pink roses
stood before mantel banked with low
ers. at the left Of a stately woman IN
lavender. II was the girls first bow TO
society, and the woman by her side was
stil young enough to feel old when men
stopped to make pretty speeches. 10 ner
daughter. Mrs. Howe felt that having
debutante daughter. was almost as bad
as finding the first white hairs. The men
were arriving now; the elder ones alone
the young fellows from the university re-
inforced by one or two companions Near
the door was a great, broad-Shouldereo
athlete, supported by little blonde man
with confident air.
The big fellow kept saying: Now,
King. don't bolt and leave me alone. m
getting more hands and feet every minute.
Til soon be like that chap We used to read
about in Latin. Bril- something or 9TH
er. Now, you speak TO Mrs Howe first.
won't you? This sort Of thing isn't in
my line"
well, here goes. Be careful Don't
kick that jardiniere,if 1t does happen to
be in your line" said King.
The girl had noticed the two. Sne
i al led ,erlx NJ NHr
mind went back to the day, week ago,
when she had seen him last. he wasn't
in black broadcloth then. Instead, his
hair hung in long black strings over his
eyes; there was a red streak across ms
cheek. She had seen him running over
field marked with white lines. while q
yelling mob of men In canvas jackets
tried to stop him. Then. after the game
was over, men in silk hats and men in
sweaters had lifted him high on their
shoulders, and the whole air rang with
cheers for his college.
Now he was bowling solemnly before
Mrs. Howe. The next minute he forgot
his hundred hands, and remembered only
the one that held a little white-gloved
palm in the strong clasp.
Miss Dolly, Bob washed his face IN
honor Of the event. Had his hair cut,
tco," King explained. Then he added:
well, take care of yourself, old man,
and hurried across the room to speak 10
a girlA he knew.
Bob laughed uncomfortably and twisted
his neck about as IL he were unacquaint-
ed with his collar. Dolly, my dear child. /,
said Mrs. Howe, you must be tired
standing here so long Mr.. Fields, won't
you take her out to the dining-room and
get her a cup of coffee or something!
Bob thanked her with rapturous look,
and the two disappeared on their way
to the dining-room. There at one end
of the table was a limp-looking girl with
pale yellow hair and loose gloves on her
thin arms. In front of her were large
samover and an array Of cups. She had
been pouring chocolate and tea for the
last ten years. and was growing old In
the service The silver candelabra at ell
tier end of the table proudly held up the
.nalfLburned pink candles with pink
shades, and the cut-glass dishes OF pink
bOnbons sparkled in their light The
walters hurried here and there. bringing
in plates of salad and ices. Pretty girls
in dainty dresses served the guests stand
ing about the room. When Dolly and
Bob came in a girl In a much-berunled
pink silk rushed to them with smile
that showed all her dimpies.
20. Dolly. you're simply perfect. /
wanted to talk to you when l came In.
but there were so many people. MY oear:
/ was awfuliy late. 1 came right out
here. I hope I've done some good. Why,
Mr. Fields, I'm so glad you could come, "
she ratified. Dolly. what do you suppose
| I heard this morning? I went up to see
Alice Avery. You know she came nome
from New York last night. Well, she Is
engaged. She met the man at the
srrings last summer. He'Iives In Atlanta,
and his name Is Vernon Pierce. Didn't
you meet Mr.. Pierce from Atlanta over
there at the springs?
Dolly knew her face was hot and flush
ed. She hoped Bob wouldn't notice 1t.
| Eyes, I think So" she said, trying TO
| smile.
The other girl went on:
Alice confessed that he was great
| hirt. She must be going to be married
soon. or she would not announce her en-
gagement. My dear. you look simply worn
out. But you will get used to these teas
and dances and things by the end OF the
| winter said the girl with the social
experience Of two seasons to her account.
She smiled and glanced up at Bso, and
showed all her dimples again.
The football player led Dolly to little
cushioned seat In an alcove. There was
an orchestra behind a screen of palms,
Now they were playing la Paloma.' "
with a mystical Mexican Jingle. Dolly
| looked down at the great bunch or roses
! in her lap. They had come that morning
with Vernon Pierce's card. She was no
| longer there in the heated hall OF her
city home, with Bob. dear old stupid. tire
some Bob. by her side. 1t was moonlight
and she felt the air OF summer night
on her face. They had been dancing and
now they could hear the strains OF For
| ever and Forever" In the light from a
| window some one was standing BEFORE
her. His voice was low and he was sing
| ing the words of the waltz. 20. bid me
| hope to call thee mine. forever and for
| ever
| She could remember all that he said
| that night at Green briar. and she remem-
! hered that she had laughed at him. Yes
| she had laughed. and now she was glad
| OF course he said the same things Il
| Alice Avery the next week. Alice went
| up there to the springs just after Dolly
came home.
The man at the door came over and
| gave a handful of letters to Dolly. These
| came In the afternoon mall" he said.
You can read these. Bob" she said
| as she tossed her companion a pile oi
| small envelopes. She knew they were re-
grets and such things. There was one
large letter, postmarked Atlanta. and d.
! rected In A strong. masculine hand Bot
was busy with the regrets" so she open
ed II.
Dear Miss Dolly II ran. ct wanted q
send this letter with the roses, but did
not care 10 risk II 10 the carelessness o.
the florist. or course / am incousolabl'
in my disappointment In not getting N
20 your coming out But. II ! may
depends entirely upon your answer to thil
Il shall come up during the holidays
/ don't know whether Miss Avery hai
| announced the fact or not. but she 4
engaged to my cousin By the way. vi
both have the same name. They viii y
married the last OF December and
am glad 10 be the best man-if you VII
let me come and say 20 you what
tried 80 hard 10 make you understand