The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-02

most perfect delight Of my life. Not
even the tiny face of my frstborn
seemed as precious. Was it because
was SO young when I had tho first ball
dress, and was it not child's delight:
do not know, but have searched in
vain long years since then for the same
pervading joy over a new possession.
And when wore it was IN j dream,
a vague, cloudy realm of newness- The
music throbbed. I could hear its pulls
ing sounds for days after, and did not
walk or step. I simply foated in an I'M
known sea, with new lights, new sounds
and new music around me. Even the
familiar people-my mother, everybody
appeared to me under a new and en-
chanted aspect. I could weep over the
whole of it now just to remember the
sensations that were born Of that first
ball dress. Do you know, it was made
SO nearly like the fashions of today that
1 can hardly realize that SO many years
have come and gone? And I half believe
that I am dreaming now. There was
full skirt, gathered at the belt; full
waist, with double frill of fine laco
around the neck; old lace, ivory white.
My sleeves were pulled, and I had
white "watered'' ribbon sash. There
was white satin slip, and there vera
camellias on the shoulder and one ill
my hair, and this, l remember, was
curled in two rows all around and hung
in ringlets.
Today I saw the very prototype CT
that gown worn nearly 40 years age.
Just think of it wonder if ever old
men remember their first pants-nev
for some grand occasion? If they do,
the remembrance cannot be half "a
pleasant as ours is, for trousers arc not
poetic and ethereal, and ball gowns are.
We wore them in Already, and none else
will ever seem as fair
Perhaps the very girls whose gowns
saw today will in future years look back
to them with tender regret. Teas and
receptions and dinners bring forth some
lovely robes for maidens. One makes
her debut today at a grand tea wearing
a white taffeta slip, with all overdress
of white silk net. Around the bottom
are three tiny lisse ruffles. The waist is
full at the neck and gathered at tho
belt. In perpendicular lines are rows of
fine valenciennes insertion, and the
same are set on the elbow sleeves. There
is a Marie Antoinette fichu of net, with
a graduated rufde of crepe lisse, border
0Q Win 1DCn W1Q0 VaIGncloQn6S. Inc
stock is of isse, and blush rose on the
shoulder adds one lovely lingering touch
Of beauty and girlish grace.
For the proud mother, scarcely older
looking than the daughter, there was a
superb gown of satin duchess brocaded
in a very large pattern of laurel leaves.
The coloring was shaded green over
mahogany brown. There were fancy
wrought filigree belt and small yoke
collar of dark green velvet studded with
gilt nailheads and edged with gold pas
sementerie. A piece of honiton point
was draped around the upper part Of the
collar.
For young lady who was to assist in
receiving tho guests there was dainty
printed india silk in a delicate mauve
and white. The style of making was as
simple as it we'll could be. There were
shoulder knots of lace and lace ruch-
ing around the low bodice. Here, too,
pale rose rested on the left shoulder.
There are some really elegant novel
ties in bodices and basques. One shown
today was rich brocade basque in sew
eral shades of gray satin. The skirts to
it were long and pointed in front, the