The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-05
SPICY GOTHAM GOSSIP,
Is OVERHEARD BY CLARA
BELLE,

And Done Up in Her Own IneOmpar-
able StJle-5Ome Interesting
Literature.
IsPEuAL CORRESPONDENCE OF TRE APPEAL.l
New York, December ga curl.
GUS complicstoG was seen at one OF
our most fashionable theaters last
evening. On the stage was Charles
Sugden, the sc!or with whom Lsdy
Desart eloped few years ago, and the
singular thing about kim was that any
woman, in or cut of aristocrdiic soci-
ETY., ehould fall in love with such
personality. He Yves 45 to 90, aud
utterly devoid Of romantic suggestion
go much go that he failed ludicrously
In enacting the role OF iervid stage
lover. Moreover, and dreadful, he
more than once dropped an II, and
his accent was cockneyish. So much
for him. His marriage to Lady Desart
still exists, but they are understood to
have Quarreled, and she did not come
with him TO America, while he lie WOO
Ing May Fortescue eagerly, in mimicry
and reality. The rumor 10 that Sugden
and Fortescue are 10 be welded as
soon as divorce shall permit, and 1t
was due to this report that the actress
was spubbed by elaborate society at
Tuxedo lately--not to her wholly Cir
cumspect betrothal to Lord Garmoyle.
In the audience, 30 close to the
stage that 6ugden and Fortegcue
could not have failed to recognize her,
sat Selma Delaro. the actress who
eloped 10 America something like ten
years ago with Lord Desart. Selma
was q pitiiul sight, Notwithstanding
that much Of her old time beauty re-
NAMED In her half yelled face, and
that her cheap attire was neatly ety-
lish; for she 10 III and poor, and has
sid good bye 10 the world in which
she figured for time 80 merrily. The
play was FrOu FroE, with the story Of
Q wiie's slopement, and 1t struck me
that free and reminiscent discussion
OF the theme by Sugden, Fortescue
and Delaro would be exceedingly in
teresting. y.
One OF the acknowledged bellies OF
swelldom has managed to get herself
considered along with the stage per-
Torrance at the opera. A feature OF
the season there is an unusually elab-
crate ballet-not An incident In an
opera, but q separate pantomime and
dance. The arst danseuse is an out
right chsrmer, and greatly admired
by both men and women. Well, the
society girl, on the night when tie
ballet piece ia presented, wears dress
whose bodice 10 an exact counterpart OF
that portion OF the danseuse's cos
tune; and as there is close similar.
ity in the two faces and forms, the re-
semblance Is qu'zzlcally observed
through opera glasses from all parts of
the house. Thus the amateur gets a
considerable share OF regard fairly
above the belt, and with none of the
professionals arduous exercise OF the
feet.
A visit to the grand opera in New
York this season is like a glimpse OF
fairyland--too utterly sweet for oriti.
Cism. You know, the box owners are
the SWEETEST OF the swell, and nav s901O
apiece for fifteen weeks OF onera.
There are two full tiers OF boxes, and
lew more on level with the orches.
ira. Each box 10 accompanied with a
drawing room, ronnectihg wi hthe lob.
bies. Insthese little pRrlors the ladies
take OF Their wraps and do the last
primpipg preparatory to Appearing
bareheaded, lownecked and siesyeless
before the audience. The boxes are
appointed with dark hanQinga. to
make a proper background for the
delicate shades of dress good : and for
the inordinate display OF complexions
winch are fashionable at full dress AT.
iairs. Certainly the sex looks pretty
IN such setting as this. The house
10 simply a grand drawing room, In
which the most beautiful women az
the giddy society display themselves.
There they view and are viewed: thew
gossip and whisper; they do eyery-
thing except attend the opera. which Ia
theiaBt thing they think Of These re-
eepton rooms attached to the boxes
are often fitted up at Considerable ex-
pense. Some men have spent $1,000
OF $SOOOin clothing the walls OF their
tiny room with golden paper, In add
Ing costly chandeliers, lounges, rugs.
chairs, portieres clocks, and don't
know what all. Think Of turning a
room six by eight into a Jewel case.
and yet that's what Mr. Rhinelander
and several other New York, Clncin-
matt, ~. Louis and San Francisoo mill
ionaires have done. From one of these
beautiful rooms 10 another the lsdlea
nit between the acts, visiting and in.
Exchanging words OF admiration and
toothsome gossip. And all the even.
ing long the gentlemen move from box
70 Dox In calls upon the ladies'. Never
before in the history of this prodisal
village was so much wealth iayished
upon any idol OF fashion as is dis.
played here in ladies' dresses.
10 lewes and In furniture'
We talk of millions LIGHTLY
nowadays, but II is not careless a.
seruon to say there never is A NIGHT
when a million dollars worth of finery
Is mol gathered in this opera house.
IN one NATIONS ears | saw 1920
worth OF diamonds, while on her
neck was necklace worth ten times
mat and In her hair was a pin that
eOst $1,000, to say nothing OF her
police brooch, fngsr rings and
bracelets, all crusted with Big dia-
monds-and she "wasn't anything
wonderful" as they say in New Eng
i h Her fur sacque cost $3.50, aud
ner cloak, worn from her carriage 10
1er box, cost 1915. The price Of her
oress could only be guessed at, as il
came rom Paris, but II was Of satin
weighted with gold embroidery as
thick as armor. Why, q husband In
moderate circumstances would awful
y hate to have to pay for her Vold
opera glaSsea, or her point lace
shoulder scarf. And vet, she was NOT
comparable In expensiveness OF style
70 the ladies in the boxes Of the
SIockers Morosinis, Vanderbilts,
GGoelets, Warrsns, Trenches, Drexels'
Oonnors or Mortons.
nave just come from that painful
luxury, the sleeping car. How incon.
gruous and improper II was for in.
stance, to discover that the prumbler