The San Francisco call., 1908-05-31

nj are over and the official recep-
" tions have had their day, one
i might have supposed that the
girls would be grumbling over
quieter times. But not at all Every
one knows that there is safety in num-
bers-that one can't become engaged in
the middle of a Fairmont crush or
murmur vows on a hilltop covered
with people watching the fleet No,
it's the little affairs-the chafing dish
suppers, the informal teas on ship
board, the stroll in the park of an
early mOrning-that make mother sigh
q little over her sewing and father
cross all the time and Miss Eighteen
SO rosy and so gay. Besides the en-
gagements Of Miss Paxton and Miss
Critcher there are four more navy en-
gagements all ready TO announce, and
there viii be a round score before mid
summer if the cIty's girls don't look
out
Miss Engracia Critcher's engage
ment, by the way, was quite as un-
manageable as all the other engage
ments of the year and crept out of hid
ing several days before the principals
were at all ready to have IT. 1t was TO
have been told at the little tea given
this afternoon by Miss Mabel Gregory
and she and her guest of honor We're
quite certain that the news would
come like a thunderclap upon their cir
Gle Of unsuspecting friends but rumor
was busy meantime and on Friday the
secret was out However the tea will
20 on just the same, and probably be
none the less merry because there is
no mystery about it. Miss Critcher has
been prominent in the younger set for
the past two winters. She is tall.
graceful girl, with dark eyes and a
brunette skin that show her Latin
blood. Clever, merry and sweet tenn
pered, she has broken more than one
heart during the past seasons and has
been an especial favorite in the army
and navy circles. That her choice
should finally be made from the serv-
ice is not q surprise to the people who
know her best. Miss Critcher met the
fortunate young officer when she and
Miss Mabel Gregory were in Santa
Barbara for the fleets visit and the ro-
nance followed the ships up the coast.
f1ourishing at the score of dances and
balls, at Del Monte, at Monterey. at
the Fairmont, the Preside and on ship
board.
were much interested to hear of Miss
Sue NicoIs engagement TO Robert
Hayes Smith a week ago, for, although
the bride TO be is not a San Francisco
girl, she is well known here and a
great favorite with the younger SET.
Miss Nicol appeared at the dances of
the Friday Night club (better known
as the Shorb White dances) last win
ter, and at that time spent several
weeks with her aunt, Mrs. Washington
Dodge She came to the Fairmont for
the fleets visit a month ago and was
prominent in the entertaining that
went on at the big hotel. Miss NicoI
is handsome girl, tall, dark and
splendidly built, with brown eyes and
brown hair. She and Miss Marguerite
Buffers are intimate friends and in
terchange such constant visits that
the effect must be almost that of living
under one roof Miss Buffers was
Miss Nicols guest in her Stockton
home when the engagement was an
nounced-which, by the way. was at q
large tea-and will bring Miss Nicol
with her for a visit when she returns
TO her own home in Piedmont next
week. Mr.. Smith has been staying a;
the Fairmont for some time; ever since
he came to the city, in fact, and after
they return from their honeymoon trlI
he and his bride will make their home
there. The wedding is to take place on
the oath Of June in the home or the
brides parents. Mr.. and Mrs. FRANK
Nicol. In Stockton, and will be very