The age-herald., 1897-08-11


 By MRS. GEORGE c. BALL.
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 Every fashion writer dwells upon the variety and beauty of the fichu, and surs- ly there is no prettier way of finishing even the simplest gown than with the three cornered pieces of null lace or chiffon, which have such a mack of mak- ing young and old faces softer ard ssweeter. Besides thsir beautfying power they are far more comfortable these Au- gust evenings, than the tall. inqusitarial stock collars which make the most pn- tient long suffering woman think nn- speaka ble things. To be quite up-t0-date you must have fichus of every available .smaterial, which will cling and fold gracefully. There are fichus of white muslin, trimmed with frills of the same, edged with pretty lace, and real lace ones which cost too much money for the aver .age womans purse, but all are so becom- ing that price enters very littas into the matter. Some of the fichus have long ends tied behind, others are short and are simply knotted in front
 An especially attractive toilette for this season is of black null, the full skirt tucked from the hem nearly to the waist. over an underSlxrt of mull, trimmed wi h several frills at the bottom. The wa st Is very blousy in front. tucked all around like the skirt, with full elbow sleeves, also tucked. At the open throat there is worn a fichu of Duchess lace, fastened in front, then carried around the waist ard the long ends tied in the back.
 A pretty girl in such a toilette, with her hair pompadoured, is said to be picture fit for an artist.
 1a4 Guimpe dresses for young women are and are certainly comfortable. Those most in vogue are made of navy blue and white batiste. with untrimmed skirls though that is merely matter of ln- dividual taste. The neck is cut out and there is only an appropriate finish of some kind at the arm-hole. With such dresses tucked white guimpes. sith sh Tt waist sleeves are worn. These dresses are cool and at ths same time picturesque.
 
 There are hats and hats, some covered with blossoms or feath-rs until they re- semb1e a corner of a fiourist's window or recently esta blished ostrich farm; but the simplest and most unpretentious head gear in August is always the most attrac- tive The reason that southern girls are the ideal summer girls comes partly
 hot ctuha of costume most appropriate for the swell tering days of midsummer.
 All outing toggery is very sensible in cut and style. The first requisite in se- lecting an outing costume is that it shall be becoming color. It should consist of short skirt, boomers leggins and stout, broad-soled shoes, shirt waist and jacket for cool days. cycle dress is the best outfit for all forms of camp or < out-of-door living. The hat may be a soft felt cap, of any preferred shape.
 But above all pretty gowns and pictur- esque hats cultivate a sunny mature. There is not more disagreeable compan- X ion to be found than one who is incapable of enthusiasms. Don't be grey and mis- ty; better have an occasional thunder U storm of enlarged proportions; better have startling electrical display every now and then than to carry about with you dense. heavy atmosphere, which is .4repellant and depressing. After the thun- ss derstorm there generally comes clearing weather, with bracing atmosphere full of ozone, but the long, wintry rainy days are very discouraging to man and beast. The following paragraph contains such < wonderfully good advice:
 "There are two things In a woman that the man of refinement admtres equally as much as if not more, than beauty. and those are pleasant voice and cheer full disposition. There is not man in the world brave enough to cope with a woman who whines. He will put himself to any amount of trouble to avoid her. Fortunately, though, whining is going out of fashion. It is now considered, and rightly, more wonanly to meet trials and troubles both small and great, cheerfully. If your trouble is a great one, however, you may risk telling it to your best mar friend, be he lover or brother, feeling sure that he will do his best to aid you, but meyer venture meeting him with a bundle of imaginary woes. With such you may be sure he will never trouble you, and why should woman feel it her privilege to ask more than she can return simply ... be cause she is @ woman?"
 Don't be a prude. above all things, when you walk abroad in all your pret- ty 1nery, or dance in the ballroom, or wheel over the smooth hikes on Your