Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-27
A DAY OF HER DEBUT

To the white-glOyed ebony statue at the
door this was only another Of Star1s teas.
Stark was the caterer. His punch-bowl,
his walters, his sailed almonds, and his
bills went from house TO house during the
season. The man at tho door wished
Stark would get a new punch-bowl. If it
were not for the different faces that
appeared behind it at every house life to
him would be one long, unending party.
From his post no could see the table in
the dining-room, ana he knew from the
height OF the candles that It was nearly
6. The men would be coming soon.
Matronly women IN long fur wraps were
waiting for their carriages, and girls IN
picture hats and trailing silks slipped
through the thrOns into the drawng-r0Om.
sweet-faced young sir, I'm white chiffon
with her arms full of pink roses. stood be-
fore a mantel banked with flowers, az the
left OF a stately woman i'm lavender. 1t
was the girls first bow 70 society and
the woman by her side was still young
enough 10 feel old when men stopped TO
make pretty speeches 10 her dauBlteL
Mrs. Howe felt that having L dcbutant
daughter was almost as bad as finding
the first white hairs. The men We're ar
irving now; the elder ones alone-the
young fellows from the uniYers REIN
forced by one or two compani0.is. Near
the door was great broad-shouldered
athlete, supported by little blonde man
with a confident air.
The big fellow kept saying: "Now
King, don't bolt and leave me alone. I'm
getting more hands and feet every min
ute. I'll soon be like that chap We used
TO read about in Latin. Bri-- something
or other 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 it does happen
10 be in your line" said King.
The girl had noticed tho two. She
smiled reassuringly at the big fellow Her
mind went back 70 the day a week be-
fore 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 one cheek. She had seen him
running over i field marked with white
lines, while a yelling mob Of men in
canvas jackets tried 20 stop him. Then.
after the game was over, men in silk
hats and men in sweaters had lifted him
high Oh their shoulders. and the whole
air rang with cheers for his college.
Now, he was bowling sOlemny before
Mrs Howe. The next minute he forgot
his hundred hands. and remembered only
the one that held a little white-glOyed
palm in its strong clasp.
Miss Dolly, Bob washed his face in
honor Of the event. Had his hair cut,
too" King explained. Then he added:
"Well, take care Of yourself, old man."
and hurried across tho room 10 speak TO
a girl he knew.
Bob laughed uncomfortably and twisted
Z his neck about as il he were unacQuainted
with his collar. dolly, my dear child
said Mrs. Howe you must be tired stand
ing hero so long Mr. Fields. won't you
take her out 20 the dining-room and get
her cup OF coffee or something2"
Bob thanked her with a rapturous look.
and the two disappeared on their way
60 the dning-room. There at one end OK
the table was a limp-looking girl with
pale-yellow hair and loose gloves on ner
thin arms In front OF her were large
samoyar and an arrGy 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
either end Of the table proudly held up
the half-burned pink candles with pink
shades, and the cut-glass dishes OF pink
bonbons sparkled In their light. The wait
ers hurried here and there, bringing In
plates OF salad and ices. Pretty girls a.
dainty dresses served the guests standing