Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-02-05

Whether by dint of Belasco persever-
ance or by reason of her innate genius
Mrs. Leslie Carter is recognized as a
great American actress. AS to her per-
sonality men generally agree in calling
her a handsome woman in figure and
feature. Women are apt to be more
critical. Some consider her too tall and
insist that her mouth is too large to
lay any claim to beauty. She certainly
has large mouth, but also has beau
tiful set of teeth, and her hair is a red
gold shade which is the delight and
despair of artists. She has a charm of
mannar peculiarly fascinating, and, be-
ing possessed of that rarest of gifts,
tact, is pretty well equipped despite
criticism.
AS the heroine in "Zaza" she has
taken Manhattan borough by storm.
While opinions differ concerning the
vehicle she chose no dissenters are
heard as to her ability.
''Zaza' is a curious combination of
the good and the bad. 1t is both i'm
moral and praisworthy. Mrs. Carter
pleads Zaza is only a woman with a
womans instincts, and she but acts the
part. Zaza, as the demimondaine,
wins sympathy throughout her evolu-
ton. Unlike Camille, she does not de-
pend upon illness to secure it.
Zaza's life as portrayed might be
called sermon over the footlights to
impulsive woman. In fact, there are
two points of saving grace. One is
that no matter what the condition in
life or the surroundings man always
turns from the mistress to the wife
The other reveals the possibilities of a
bad woman. In the play she reforms
becomes good through the love she
bore him who so cruelty deceived her
When the inconstant man returns, she
firmly repulses his advances. She
sends him back to his child and wife
with the knowledge that the stain OF
his last kiss has purified her being
Uhe tempestous Zaza disappears, hav-
ing sown seeds of indecision. Is she
saint or sinner?
The modiste is industriously cir
culating petition (metaphorically) fol-
the reinstatement of velvet gowns. II
is the proper between season fabric
and has its advantages. A velvet
frock, with boa, is warm enough for
the transition period prior to spring
debut. Some sartorial achievements
in velvet are most beguiling. Judging
from the array of velveteens encoun-
tered, my modiste has collected
enough signatures to pass the bill.
A gray velvet with a dash of scarlet
caught my fancy at the SWEETEST shop
in New York. The upper skirt portion
was formed of divided yoke, the low
er by a sweeping circular fiounce.
Rounded tabs coming we'll below the
waist line at front and back of the
bodice were effective. A scarlet vel
vet scroll extended across the back and
held in place series of ecru chiffon
ruffles. Jetted buttons supplied the
needed touch of black without which
no gown is a complete success. A
popularity of the dress just described
is the seamless back bodice. Most of
the recent importations exploit this
new mode.
Embroidery and lace contrive to win
unadultefated praise when seen on a
gorgeous satin evening wrap. The
wrap in question outlines a deep point
ed dolman. 1t is made of pale blue
satin heavily embroidered in silver
thread and chenille. A meagerly full
lace flounce draped over a wider one
of satin borders the edge. Two mar
rover frills suggest a double hood
about the shoulders. The same floral
treatment is observed throughout. A
sable collar with pipings of fur brings
the price of this exquisite outer gar
ment up to the 1000 mark.
The merits of lace impress me most
favorably, particularly in the form of
a directoire coat, and this seems to me
the ideal model to which a genuinely
middle aged woman should pin her
faith fer evening dresses. The sweep
ing coat curves and spoon shaped
basque are infinitely more identifying
than the pointed bodice which usually
falls to the lot of the matronly. The
indefinite mystery of filmy meshwork
in guipure is more to be desired than
the shiny surface.
Primrose is the color robust proper
tions should affect, gray the one to
carefully avoid. Fringe in variety
clamors for attention. Most of the
new tunics sport a few yards of it.
Three tones Of one color may blend