Evening star., 1897-01-16

distressing because Monacos palm gar
dens, fountains and terraces had proved
quite paradaisical in fact in the
French novel So ii was with the great
halls OF the Casino. with their magnificent
proportions and sumptuous decorations.
These were equal to the most hysterical of
the many descriptions, and deserved quite
another set of inhabitants than the rusty
men and tired, elderly women who sat at
the long tables making their stakes at the
monotonous call, 'Faites vos jeu, mes
sieurs.' with the dull patience of plodding
industry. There was no more romance
about these gamblers. chronics who play
all day long making small gains and losses
on small capital, than about wrinkled
ballet dancers cast for nymphs and fairies.
This was early in the evening. People
who have money were still at dinner
Later, things grew better, from the spec
tacular standpoint. The great hotels, the
restaurants and the evening trains by 8
clock had emptied their crowds into the
majestic sale des fetes, and men and wo-
men of more sleek and prosperous look
were prcmenading by twos and threes or
drifting INTO the reading rooms of the
SALES de teu. The fossils were thrown
into shadow. but the assemblage remained
curiously mixed one as to its clothes.
Ihere were men in evening dress and
men in rich velvets and with bare white
shoulders. and women in tailor gowns
There would be great emeralds glinting
from the blonde hair of ones neighbor on
the right, while ones left-hand neighbor
Kept her locks covered under big ha t
with plumes. Demi-toilet or theater dress
was the most usual. but no manner of
mess could be said to prevail. A majority
OF the women dressed WELL a few over
dressed, some were clothed sumptuously.
Women Gamblers
Women almost outnumbered men AT the
ct sahI
low. Men mad four out of five seats Mt
trente ct quarante, where they mus: be
high The most interesting woman / saw
dld not go near the tables the entire even
ing Size had more fascinating business
than gambling on hand She sat on a couch
IN a recess where the light was shaded en-
gagged IN a desperate Irritation Her pa 4
ner was a man Of military look Young and
fairly prepossessiDg. The girl was piouant
IN lace and know now to maneuver her hat
plumes. She wore a simple but uncommon
ly fresh and effective dress of powder blue
silk with plain skirt and blouse bodice
yoke OF exquisite lace and triple collar of
three shades Of rose velvet. This collar
TOOK the form of a skeleton Jacket its
three folds upon the shoulders taperine in
'front.' until Just line reached the waist
on either side. Disappearing under the
narrow belt of draped velvet. the Jacket
skeleton reappeared in three tails which lay
against the skirt about the hips giving a
little fullness 10 the figure in that region.
A little tUrbdn hat of rose velvet was
trimmed with rosettes of lace and sweep
ing black plumes. Now the girl would Dol
her head so that the long feathers darted
down 10 touch her cheek, and now she
would give quick turn 10 the side to
make them brush in turn tine face of her
companion. Prettier sport than roulette
but just as dangerous, maybe.
Even when things were at their live
lest some tables were comparatively emp
ty, While people were three deep about
others At one of the crowded tables a
conspicuous figure a tall woman who
stood motionless, as II she neither saw the
rain OF coins nor heard the clink Of piece
against piece as the croupiers raked them
in. She had not removed her wrap, and hel
regal cloak Of old rose velvet swept tht
floor and made blot of rich color in 1hf
throng- Its broad collar of ermine fel
low upon her shoulders and turned bach
from the open front i'll revers to show g
vest Of velvet of a darker rose shade. The
revers Of ermine crossed at the waist tina
from the right shoulder reaching IN Z
broad sweep well down the left side
The large sleeves had deep ermine cuff.
and border Of ermire nearly a foot IN
width gave swing and stiffness to the hem
A haTi1g collar of lace came up 10 tn,
lady's dark hair and framed her pale darl
face. which was still and expressionless
as II she were either bored or waiting.
Playing System.
AT the same table and watching the rol
of the ball with the open interest of nov
Ices sat two quite young women. Each haG
pencil and paper for the jotting down Of
numbers IS If In some amateurish effor
TO play system. The prettier of the tive
was a curly headed blonde in a dress Of
fine violet cloth. with blouse of white-ein
brOidered chiffon. over the blouse was al
odd little figaro of violet silk. cut up il
points in front and edged with en-
brotdery OF pearls. Epaulettes from the
nsaro came over the sleeves, which wers
close hitting affairs of violet and pale pinl
orocade- Heavy ruches of lisse, threaded
with narrow velvet ribbons, finished mech
ana wrists, and at the waist was a broad
folded belt of violet and pink ribbon.
Inc second player, who was a little ner
Sous over her losses. could not have beer
SpoVe twenty- She was gowned In cream,
brown cloth of a very delicate tone He
blouse OF soft yellow silk showed unde