The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-16
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an impatient man clumsily trips over her
demi-train. After half an hour of this
amusement she may reach q less crowded
space and a man who will offer to get her
some supper. He will probably bring her
plate containing mixture of chicken salad
and oysters, with cake instead of Bread
and glass of punch.
Our girl must stand while she tries to eat
and drink, for all the chairs have disap-
peared i'll the futile attempt of making
room for the crowd. Not even the stairs
offer resting place because of the con-
tinual passing up and down of late corners
and early goers. The ballroom is packed
with humanity. 80 that the idea of a dance
must be treated as joke.
Ey o. clock weary chaperOns try to gather
their charges together, the rooms thin out a
little, and friends find each other and talk.
This is really the pleasantest part of the en-
tertainment but the society girl is not long
allowed to enjoy it, for the tired matron to
whom she belongs refuses to be martyriZed
any longer. In the dressing rooms sleepy
maids tumble with the wraps, and i'll the
hallway stand bundled-up women waiting
for their carriages and shivering every time
the door is opened. letting in the cold wind
that bears pneumonia on its wings. When
in the carriage the poor society girl is worn
out; she is even too tired to talk about the
new and old dresses she saw. Once more at
home, her maid undresses her and puts her
to bed to sleep the sleep of exhaustion. This
life continues, with more or less intensity.
for six weeks, and then comes Lent, when
many blase beauties retire to Fortress Mon
roe to recuperate their wasted energies. In
the spring some dehutantes always sue
cumb to that i'll of the rapid times we live
III, nervous prostration.'
This - not a very bright picture of social
existence in this city, and it is really the
extreme that is noticeable. that is seen and
| is written about. or course, all the girls
in Washington do not live at this pace.
There are some who read books, paint pic
lures, and appreciate good music, but they
are not fashionable. They go out little.
rs they usually find themselves among
strangers, for Society is a jealous goddess
and requires the very life and soul of its
! yotarles.
Society has its particular "stars." and
Washinston sociaty recognizes several of
ultra-fashionable. One of the brightest of
these girls Is Miss Mary Letter. daughter of
Mr.. l.. 4. Letter, formerly of Chicago. She
is very sweet and intelligent gil. Her
beauty is far above mere prettiness. Now
that she has been abroad Washington will
duly admire her. Miss Letter is a fine
whip.
| Miss Matte Mitchell usually makes
Washington her home in the winter She
has beea belle in this city from her school
uays NASN sue wore ueT mar III long CurIS
reaching below her waist and when she
carried off all the gold medals. Miss Mitch
oil is exceedingly clever besides being beat
tiful, for she not only appears at every en-
tertainment of note that is given in the
city, but she finds time to manage her
fathers house and dispense his hospitality
Her pretty face, that reminds one of some
belle Marquise"' may sometimes be see n
on Saturday morning at the Centre market,
Probably that evening she will be sur
rounded by members of the diplomatic
corps. who will listen delightedly to her
dainty lsping French. Notwithstanding
her many duties and pleasures, Miss
Mitchell always looks fresh and unwearied.
Miss Florence Audenried, daughter of the
late Col. Audenried, who was known as
the handsomest man in the army" has
Inherited his legacy of beauty-a rose leaf
complexion. q slender, well-formed figure
and bewitching dimpies. She is engaged to
Of New Jersey. She dresses with striking
individuality.
/ Miss Edith James, daughter of the ex-
postmaster general, is q beauty Of the En-
gllsh type. tall, slender, with golden hair
and blue eyes. In every look and attitude
she suggests the graceful girls of Du Mau-
rler, and her style of dress, tailor-tike
simplicity, helps to sustain the illusion.
Her sister, Miss Hattie James, 10 a decided
brunette and foil fo- her fair. haired
sister.
i Miss Nellie Wilson, the daughter of Ma
thaniel Wilson, is a ''stylish'' belle. In
looks. manner, and costume she has the
chic that is supposed to belong exclusively
to the French, and which therefore rem.
ders her very popular in diplomatic circles.