Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-05-08
THE DAY OF HER DEBUT.

the door this was only another o.
Stark's teas. Stark was the caterer
His punchbowl, bis waiter, bis sailed
almonds, and bis bills went from house
to house during the season. The mar
at tho door wished Stark would get
new punchbowl II 1t were not fol
the different faces that appeared be-
hind II at every house life to him
would be one long, unending party
From his rost he could zee the table
Ia the dining room and he knew from
the height Of the candles that II waa
nearly 8. The men would DO coming
soon.
Matronly women In long fur wraps
were waiting for their carriages, and
girls In picture hats and trailing silks
slipped through the throng into the
drawing room. A sweet faced young
girl III white chiffon, with her arms
full Of pink roses, stood before a man.
tel banked with flowers, at the left Of
stately woman In lavender. 1t was
the girls first bow to society, and the
woman by her side was still young
enough to feel old when men stopped
to make pretty speeches to her daugh.
ter. 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
aIone-the young fellows from the uni
verslty reinforced by one or two CON-
panlons. Near the door was great,
broad-shouldered athelete, supported
by a little blonde man with a conf
dent air.
The big fellow kept saying: Nov,
King, don't bolt and leave me alone.
I'm getting more hands and feet every
minute. I'll soon be like that chap we
used to read about In Latin. Bril-
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 jardlniere, II It does happen
to be In your line" said King.
The girl had noticed the two. She
smiled reassuringly at the big fellow.
Her mind went back to the day, a
week before, when she had seen him
last. He wasn't In black broadcloth
then. Instead, his hair hung in long
black strings over hls eyes; there was
a red streak across one cheek. She
had seen him running over field
marked with white lines, while yell
Ing mob of men In canvass 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 be was bowling solemnly be-
fore Mrs. Howe. The next minute he
forgot his hundred hands, and remem-
bered only the one that held little
whlte-gloved 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 the room to speak
to a girl he knew.
Bob laughed uncomfortably and
twisted his neck about as If he were
unacqualnted with hts 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 dning-room and get her a cup Of
coffee or something's
Bob thanked her with 4 rapturous
look, ana the two disappeared on their
way to the dining rooni There at one
end of the table was a llmp-looklng
girl with pale yellow hair and loose
gloves on her thin arms. In front of
her were a large samovar and an array
Of cups. She had been pouring choco-
late 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-burncd
PINK candles with pink shades, and the
cut-slass dishes of pink bonbons spar.
Killed. IN their light. The walters hur-
rlcd 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 much berufHed
pink silk rushed to them with a smile
that showed all her dlmples.
y "eh, Dolly, you're simply perfect. I
wanted to talk to you when came In,
but there were so many people. My
dear, your dress Is a dream! And
those roses. was awfully late. |
came right out here. hope I've done
some good. Why, Mr.. Fields, I'm so
glad you could come" she ratified on.
How is the sprained knee? We were
all so proud of you last Thursday.
Dolly, what do you suppose heard
this morning! went up to see Alice
Avery. You know she came home from
New York last night. Well. she Is en-
gagged. She met the man at the springs
last summer He lives in Atlanta, and
his name is Vernon Pierce. Didn't you
meet Mr.. Pierce from Atlanta over
there at the sprlngs?"
Dolly knew her face was hot and
flushed. She hoped Bob wouldn't no.