The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-13
Daisy May

NY DEAR DoRoTHY-August Il

ny DEAR DOROTHY-August is
MI the gayest month of the year at
@U4 all Atlantic sea towns-Narra-
gansett being notably in the lead. Dur
ing these sultry days more pretty toys
appear than for the three pre-
ceding months. Those who went across
for the London season are once more
on their native heath with trunks full
of the --latest" From my Casino perch
yesterday 1 studied the odd bathing
suits on view and wondered If were
not transplanted and Narragansett
wasn't in reality Trouville, where dash
ing water garb is part and parcel Of
the attractive French resort.
First of all, / observed a curiously
clad girl, who evidently had effected
a doubtful compromise between mod
esty and inclination. She wore panta-
, lets Of brown flannel, bound in, ecru
braid, over which fell a peasant blouse
reaching half way between knee and
hip, displaying a lot yet concealing
much. 1t was square cut at the neck,
with baby sleeves and a vest of plain
cloth which pouched slightly. Around
her waist was a knotted scarf. Her
companion, and likely sister, wore an
equally striking costume, varying
slightly as to details. ! concluded that
she was a bicycle enthusiast, as she
made a concession by substituting
boomers for the grotesque pantalets.
at is to laugh" 1 assure you, when
YOU make a study of fashions, and
these nomads who collect freaky cloth
ing are objects both to startle and
amuse.
I There were two other beauties, and,
IL not too late in the season, do copy
one of them. There were sailor sugges-
lions in the picturesque costume worn
by a girl who seemed on speaking terms
with every good looking fellow who
came her way Needless to say, she
avoided the water. Both clothes and
wearer were stunning. The suit was of
cardinal serge with black trimmings.
Her chum was not an ambitious SWIM
mer. but was quite content to stroll
about the beach chatting with members
;of the friendly groups which dotted the
shore. 1 can hear you exclaim with
sfervor, chief when you glance at the
accompanying sketch: and indeed it is.
i've seen nothing so smart for an age.
1T surpasses any of Mrs. Jack Astor's
half dozen bathing gowns, which here
itofore have been my standard Of COM
tparison. The blond girl chose her col
Tors wisely-periwinkle blue and white.
.Girdle and skirt cut in one have always
been greatly admired by me, and the
Tiny silk cord lacings furnish a new
idea IL one wanted to repeat the de-
sign in a long skirt. The polka dot
,guimpe, stockings and head kerchief
were the most captivating accessories
possible. / almost grew envious, and
did wish with all my heart for good
legs, a fine back and graceful arms.
mo ball dress ever CHANGED to see was
tquite so a1luring as this gem Of a surf
suit.
/ was divided between two opinions
when madame showed me a tiny silk
muff some weeks ago and couldn't
make up my mind whether or not to
advocate summer muffs as an accom-
paniment to the light neck dress so
much in vogue. I am fully persuaded
now that there is nothing in the way
of small belongings which lends greater
distinction to an ordinary outfit than
the aforesaid silken muff. There are
man champions Of the style here, and
each one I see is an argument in favor
of muff adoption. 1t is sometimes car
ried with a feather boa, and in that
case silk is simply the foundation
which supports a group of tips or a
cluster OF hydrangea blooms when the
boa is Of that peculiarly fascinating
opalescent shade. Elderly women are
wearing chiffon and mousseline de sole
ruches and collarettes, with which they
carry a muff of like diaphanous ma
'terial A charming young girl called
the other day in spotted faille blouse,
with a muff to match. / think one
Gnight construe this as an autumn pre-
dictiOn which will find fulfillment when
the strOllers get back to town.
This year / notice that the shirt waist
has been treated more like a we'll bred
ARTICLE of dress than a mere intruder
tolerated on account of comfort. Here
i see the yOkeless shirt waist outnum-
hers and resembles the original Spencer
waist, being slightly fulled in front and
almost perfectly plain at the back. fas-
'tening with buttons instead of studs.
The pilot brought back a brief note
from dear Aunt Hetty. who was yield
ing INTERESTINGLY to the qualms Of sea-
sickness. but inclosed the information
you desired concerning the author of
s'Thelma." She writes:
Marie COrelIi'' is the pen name Of
Miss Mary Mackey. the daughter of the
late Charles Mackey, Ii. D.. a prose
writer and poet. Her books are wide
'ly read. Many consider her Romance
OF Two Worlds" her best and strongest
DOCK. 1t is her own favorite and was
the first Of her writings to be published
she said of 1t: Il had no expectation
that II would meet with any special at