The age-herald., 1899-02-19
The Lenten Maid Plans Pretty Things For
 Summer.
EARLY SPRING FASHIONS.
The Shops Are Displaying Organdies Suggestive of April Days-Gos-
 sip and Events.
BY ANNIE KENDR1oK WALKER

Since the grey dawn of Ash "Wednesday there has been the calm after the storm, and the Lenten maid now wends her way these days churchward. The non-Lenten maid who, by the way, is not considered picturesque enough to be written about, is content to follow in the wake of her churchly sister.
 Several maids and matrons were discuss ing early in the week the penitential season. Those who observed 1t from a religious point of view welcomed 1t also as an es- cape from social duties. A young matron who has entertained extensively this winter took practical view of Lent.
 If we could always arrange" she said, 'at the close of the winter season to go farther south for a change of air would not be so overjoyed at the approach of Lent. As 1t is, the southern climate is charming until late summer and for the months of July, August and September we feel that we must seek a cooler climate We always arrange to spend these months out of town, and this precludes a month or two absence in the spring. So that after the gay winter season Lent brings a sea- son of rest that is greatly needed for those who remain in town.'
 The young woman who has kept late
 
 hours and enjoyed late suppers declared that she was going to read up on hygenc principles and beauty hints. and that by Easter she would possess those charms that come from contact with sunshine and @ realization of wholesome foods.
 The problem of how to be beautiful" she said, with tragical air, "presents many difficulties after winter of balls, dinners and receptions"
 How to live during Lent, that is the question:" she continued.
 She is now conscientiously lowering her windows from the top, which she says "pre- vents unexpected draughts, because where fresh air enters stratum of existing warm air there Is no perceptible lowering of tenn perature."
 She was of course allowed to have her way about 1t.
 young bachelor in discussing the ob- servance of Lent, said:
 "I do not observe Lent as rigidly as should He is a devoted churchman, and is also a well-known clubman. 'I always make good resolutions" he continued. "During this penltential season I am deny ing myself cigarettes. I first thought 1 would curtai my smoking by one-half, but on Ash Wednesday I did not touch a cigar ette and determined then to abstain alto gether until Easter excepting on Sundays which are not fast days. I have been in the habit of smoking from twenty to thirty cigarettes day. It is difficult to break off l u day. Next Sunday I will probably smoke twenty cigarettes.'
 'Do most young men in the Episcopal church practice self-denial in Lent?" was asked.
 No; many pretend to do so, but it is only a pretense. For example. I know some men who cat hut cnly twice cay dur ing Lent instead of three times. But do not call that self-denia1. I know others who make vows to refrain from this or that little habit, but they do not always keep these vows On the other hand, I have known young men who were model church. men-almost ideal churchmen-throughou Lent. Three or four years ago I was rooming with young man in Mobile. He was not only regular attendant of all the services of the church and regular Bible reader but from Ash Wednesday until Easter hls diet was that prescribed by the Roman Catholic bishop. And in addition to that he read the whole of Thomas A. Kempis' Limitations of Christ"
 'sIn my circle of acquaintance the general way of observing Lent is in giving up worldly amusements and in going regularly to the Lenten services.
 "Among the men which are the more spiritually minded in Lent-Episcopalian or Roman Catholics?"
 .sI could not say. I do not imagine, how ever that there Is much difference.
 The penitential season is here, the flick ering candles expired at the last social function of the winter and beyond question society welcomes any season that inlu- ences the gay world sufficiently to abandon inc usual routine of social events. As early in the season as 1t is, however, the maids and matrons are turning their thoughts to the spring fashions and the closing days of the week brought them out for glimpse of early spring fabrics.
 Organdies and dimitics, with white grounds and clusters of violets of that deep shade when the dew is on them, have lain in heaps upon the counters the last week: Purple gentians, apple blossoms, clusters or