Omaha daily bee., 1895-04-21

lake on whose banks rest tents and camels
glimmers in the weird blue moonlight. It
is extraordinarily effective, and the quaint
little places are much sought all the evening
by couples in glttering costumes In one
corner tall Italian peasant whispers secrets
to little Egyptian reclining luxuriously on
the couch, while not far away two gypsies
are forgetting all save each other in the
magic of the perfume-laden air. Leave them
in peace, carnival comes but once a year.
On the way up we pass through the dining
room, a long white-and-gold hall cleaning
with mirrors. In inches in the wall are
small tables surrounded by chairs and sofas.
The illumination is decidedly chic and very
odd. Above each table is suspended an cleo
trio light covered with a glass shade. The
effect is indeed very piquant. Over the whole
ceiling is stretched network of golden cob
webs from which hang shining glass balls.
But certainly the most magnificent part
is that around the great double staircase
the white and blue and yellow hall Going
I'D on one side we find ourselves in a colos-
sal bower of sunfowers and sit down on a
tete-a-tete among the exotics that border the
wall to take 1t all in. TIL eceiling is hidden
by a canopy covered with painted sunflowers,
and from the pillars and balustrades nod
gigantic yellow blossoms holding each In
its heart an electric light. In the middle OF
the ceiling is a chandelier shaded by yellow
petals and pale blue green leaves.
On the opposite side reigns bright blue
light, coming from what resembles a huge
china bowl under the ceiling. And this is
indeed the porcelain ball" The ceiling
seems a plate of blue and white china, and
everywhere are great porcelain flowers with
glowing petals in blue and white vases. 1t
is impossible to describe the wonderful effect
of the clear, bright blue combined with the
pure white. 1t is superb.
DAINTY DECORATIONS.
The "grotto of lilies of the valley" at the
nF bo Stai the least COnsDiCu-
Gus. but at the same time the daintiest. The
ceiling was of milk and white glass, with
golden cornices. On each of the eight col
umns at the side were fastened sprays oil
lilies Of the valley, whose cups inclosed cleo
tric lights. And again sofas and divans
among masses of green plants.
1t was no wonder the papers the next day
were full of enthusiastic accounts OF the
"bue- -and-white- hall, for It
really was splendid. Just the combination
of colors was enough to make it noticeable,
and the idea was beautifully carried out.
But then, the best artists in the country
had been at work for the last month or two,
| and IL an artists carnival can't be perfect,
what can?
Here was all the evening a jam of people
so great that It was almost impossible TO
elbow ones way through Under the lilies
of the valley sat little fairies and Red Rid
ing Hoods with their mammas or old aunties.
who had laborously crept into nuns or
fifteenth century ladys dress for the sake Of
acting duenna all through the long, tire
some night And when some rollicking
sailor came and carried of little fairy to
the bali room, and Red Riding Hood disap-
peared into the suniower garden with a
stately gentleman in blue satin knee breeches
and powder, the old duennas still sat there
and maybe dozed little all by themselves
| under the lilies.
One thing especially noticed-the absence
OF flags and banners. II 1t had been at home,
| | think there would have been a myriad of
flags, and probably one room decorated en-
! t!rely with the stars and stripes But here
was not one "Dannebrog" to be seen Is 1t
/ patriotism or vanity that makes us SO anx-
| ious 10 display our flag on all occasions?
But listen-there are the strains of the
champagne GalOp, THE darling Of the Danish
hearts! We follow the sound into the little
hall" where there is a confused mass OF
dancers. There is not much room for dane