Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-28
A FAD IN LITTLE AFFECTIONS.
An odd whim That Has Taken Hold Of
the Feminine World.


A funny little story is going the rounds
concerning a new fancy a pretty and
original society woman has introduced
to the women of her special circle who
have the time and talent to spend ON
the expensive details of life. This fancy
is nothing less than reckless indul-
gence in assumed Affections, not shock
ing diseases or terrible complaints, but
nice, gentle, piquant little Affections
that will arouse curiosity, stimulate in
terest or excite pity for the subject that
pretends to be touched lightly by Fate's
blighting finger; for after all there is
nothing a woman so enjoys and appre-
ciates as sympathetic pity
When at garden party not long ago
the hostess, in simple French gown of
white muslin, appeared with black
with curiosity to know what was the
matter. Nothing, nothing" the pretty
hostess protested; she had merely been
out on the water the day before and had
her eyes infamed by the glare of re-
fected sunlight; so she had tied a bit of
black chiffon over the sensitive orbs to
protect them from the afternoon sun.
The effect of the chiffon was very
charming. e was cut somewhat in the
shape of the black velvet masks Vene-
tian women used to wear in the four
teenth century, and the soft, dusky band
against the snowy forehead and peachy
cheeks was contrast admiringly noted.
Now and then, through the black mus
lin folds, bright CLEAN of the poor eyes
could be seen, and the next day half
dozen boxes of flowers were received
from masculine admirers, who, with
the eyes as theme, composed thrilling
notes of coincidence, heavily interlarded
with appropriate quotations that the
little lady enjoyed.
The clever woman intended to keep
the facts of the case a secret, but some
how the story leaked out, and the next
week she met bosom friend whose
pretty white hand, the left one, ban
daged in brothers silk handkerchief
hung pathetically at her side in ribbon
sling. Her wrist had been strained
while driving, and for day or two the
hand was the center Of sympathetic at
traction and the recipient of bonbons
and flowers galore. The third woman
who followed these absurd examples
went distressinglyilame, and found it
very amusing; fourth impostor suf-
| fered for week from series of slight
fainting attacks, and the fifth woman,
who had been told that her face was
purely Greek in outline and most charm
ing when in dreamy repose, suddenly
became slightly deaf. Twice or thrice,
as she gazed placidly, with smile
wreathed lips, into nothingness, a ques-
ton had to DO repeated until. with
bushes and confusion, she would in a
low tone confess her inirmity as she
| just caught the tones of speakers
| voice.
However, keen eyed young woman
who rather suspected the Affections of
her friends, proved, the innocent duplic-
I ity of her dear hostess by whispering to
her neighbor at luncheon not to scream
and alarm Mrs. Blank because mouse
was stealthily crossing the room-a pre-
caution that was quite useless, as Mrs.
Blank promptly forgot her prettily as
sumed infrmity, and was the first to
warn her guests 1f the approaching
monster, as with an accompaniment ot
shrill little screams she stood in hel
chair at the head of the table.--Nev
York Sun.