Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-26
WHY SOME WOMEN LIKE PARIS.

The Gay City winks at Moral Shortcomings.
Lucy II. Hooper in st. Louis Post Dispatch.
Mrs. Deacon's wealth, her beauty, her social
position-that last altogether unaffected by the
many rumors that were afoat respecting her
mado Of her one Of the most prominent society
ladies of the American colony. She was warmly
welcomed into its most exclusive cliques. And
it is possible that once she has obtained her di-
vorce she may come back and receive and be
received as usual by her former friends. For
society over here has infinite federation for the
little escapadss Of lady Of handsome fortune,
particularly il she chances to belong to one Of
our old families. There are certain drawing
rooms in the American colony where the Amer
lean mistress Of French noblemsn and the
deserted wife of the gentleman (herself also an
American) were occasionally invited to the
same entertainments. 1t is true that the last
named lady left the room when the
other one entered il. But she was alone in
her withdrawal The other lady guests sat
still and looked on alphabetically.
do not know IL the good old custom OF not
receiving women of improper character 10 still
maintained in the social circles of the United
States. l know that it is not here in American
society. / have met at certain very sristo-
cratic houses in the American colony women
ity of doubt-creatures the very touch of
whose garments in passing should have been
an offense to any honest woman. There u one
elderly and aristocratic American dame who
delights in the society of these women and il in
the habit of taking her friends around with her
and of introducing them everywhere.
There is, in fact, too much easy tolerance of
such people among our American hostesses in
Paris. Nothing-neither high crimes and mis-
demeanors nor fragrant indelicacy Of conduct
and appearance-avails in the least 10 break
down the rule Of universal acceptation. There
can be imagined no atmosphere in which Q
woman, pretty, unprincipled and vain, with
the seeds Of vice lying dormant In her nature,
could find reader encouragement for the up
springins Of the evil growth than in Partisan
society, whether Franco-American or gem
timely French.
woman Of most immoral life and antecedents,
married to . western widower whose mistress
she had been for years before their union was
legalized, the guest of more than one Of the
most honorable American families in Paris.
and that long after her history had been spread
abroad A tremendous scandal finally put Q
stop to her career ~ society lady. have
known . woman who had been divorced for the
Same state of Affairs that led Mr.. Deacon 70
shoot n. Abeille, who had married her lover
and come to Paris to live, intrusted by one Of
the leading ladies Of the American colony with
the chaperonage Of that lady's- young daughter
at q French Watering place. have met re-
peatedly at the leading houses Of the American
colony an elderly American woman who was
living openly and undisguisedly with the hus-
band OF smother woman. could 90 on multi
plying such instances BY the score. Bat
nrs. Deacon chooses 70 again run With Ne
hares Of rsspeetahility afssr going hunting WITH
the hounds Of fmDecaltsy. - - saaly Daar
ags - - -.