The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-28
The WOMAN OF FASHION
The Society Girl Has Changed the
Current of Her Thought.
FOREGLANCES OF SPRING GOODS
what the Lenten Days Allow and What
They Forbid The Delightful Oppor-
tunities Afforded by the Afternoon
Tea-New Spring Goods.

Lent came upon us this year before
we realized il. We had just gotten we'll
into fascinating, bewitching round OF
gayety when somebody called a halt,
and we were obliged to stop with such
a sudden jerk that it has made us feel
uncomfortable ever since. We are usu-
ally given an opportunity TO gradually
accuston ourselves TO the change, but
everything is about two weeks ahead
this season, and we accordingly forgot
all about the fact that the sober, quiet
days for meditation were right upon us.
But we Americans are so very adapt
able that 1t has taken us precisely three
days TO get over our surprise, and to
send our thoughts In quite different
direction, and now the girls have
stopped talking about the possibilities
of the hoopskirt, and are giving all
their attention instead to the cutting of
aprons and dresses and petticoats for
the poor. You would never guess,
could you see them gathered around
the table piled high with coarse stuffs,
that they had not touched such things
for months. They are just as particular
about the cut and the seams and the
neat stitch as If they had no other in
terest in the world, and they will &C.
oomplish wonderful amount in these
seven busy weeks.
But IL isn't the only thing they do
There is a loophole, not a very small
one, either, by which they can edge in
considerable gayety In very harmless
manner. The afternoon tea Is such a
very inoffensive means of entertain
ment that it has not been placed be-
meath the ban, and you may go to a tea
every day without provoking adverse
criticism. Here you may retire into
secluded corner, II there happens to be
one, and converse more conhdentially
in the fading afternoon light with your
most particular male friend than in the
crowded ballroom. And IL the tea be
given in your own home or IL you be
one of the favored few selected to as
sist your hostess in pouring tea, you
may even, with perfect propriety, wear
a pretty home gown, cut rather low,
with elbow sleeves. Then you will get
such opportunity TO display all your
sweet graces as has been afforded you
at no swagger evening affair of the
winter past. Therefore, take heart,
my pretty maid, and make the most Of
your opportunities.
Would you look particularly fascinat-
ing at one Of these affairs, SO different
now from the tea that once was, with
tiny cup and plain cakes? Then find
out, II you can, just what sort of one
your hostess will give. II it is TO be a
color tea, discover the tint and gown
accordingly.
Do not match the shade unless you
pour tea, but dress in such color as will
blend or effectively contrast with your
surroundings. For instance, does the
tea assume pale, old rose tint? Then
wear dull blue. Is 1t gold? Get out
your purple costume. Is it delicate
green? Wear darker greens or soft
browns. have in mind a very beauti-
full costume in old blue bengaline,
velvet and lace that would be charm
ing for such an occasion. The skirt is
blue bengaline, with a single tiny
rufiie at the foot. Above the ruffie is a
row of small velvet puffs, put on stiff
and straight, with no joining. The
bodice has a pretty white mousseline
de sole 'front.' full, narrow and pointed