The times., 1899-12-31

NEW YORK. Dee. 30-Lapped in pill
lows and swathed in masses of the faintest
blue crepe de chine, the hostess lay prone
and suffering in a violet-haunted sitting
room
This is what, my dear. I call the real
black bread OF life" she moaned. melodi
ously at Mrs. Van Knickerbocker, seated
beside the dlvan. her fair brow all wrink-
led with sympathy Until you came was
beginning to regard existence as a hollow
sham and mockery."
And how did it all happen, dear?"
"On the ice at the rink the day before
yesterday. I was brought home quite in
sensible from pain and have not been able
TO eat or sleep for the horrible anguish ever
since, came filtered through Iacs-edge
handkerchief.
And how beautifully you do bear it. 20
sighed the sympathetic occupant of the
chair.
II you could have seen me in my skat-
ing dress, Mary" continued the voice be
hind the Nalenciennes tear stancher. The
most becoming thing I've owned this win
ter. Id only had il on once. and-and--''
A faint gurgling very clearly indicating
10 the listener that another shower Of tears
threatened. she hurriediy and diplomatical-
ly snquired:
Do tell ne what It was like. Ny young
est sister is out this season, you know;
she must have a skating suit, and ] am
quite put 10 IL for advice to give her"
Tel her 10 have her skirt only to the
ankle. None OF the smart women are
wearing theirs an inch shorter than is ab-
solutely necessary, responded the hostess,
with a sudden return 10 forutude and
subiimary interest. Last winter most OF
Us skated in golf skirts and red flannel or
velveteen shirt waists: but this season the
consensus Of opinion seemed 10 be in favor
of q becoming little gown that viii not
only do Tor skating but for bowling and
The like winter sports where one really
wants a short skirt and pretty trimmed
waist
"On careful investigation of the whole
question ] discovered that do what you
like scarlet must play a prominent part in
ones winter sporting dress, and for a
young girl ! don't think ! have seen any
thing more entirely worthy Of imitation
than the simple, graceful and quite mex
oensive little skating frock thar Miss
StuyTesanI Fish wore the evening of my
unhappy accident The skirt was of a
coral red vicuna and entirely pleated. You
know the sort Of pIeated skirts they are
wearing nowadays? The goods is simply
uinched together on the hip line the pieat
growing wider and wider toward the foot
With This very chic little skirt was
worn short Jight fitting coat Of the rich
est brown VelveTeen. having two big re-
Vers laid back 10 right and left over the
bus, and Q vide collar standing up be-
hind Lht cars. The lining o. The collar
aud central facing OF the reyeTs was done
with -ec clolh 10 match that of the skirt,
while in leT round brown yelvsteen toque
fourished two led badges OF courage Ia
the form Of q couple OF bright red wings
sci like those in the caps OF mercury
Nith a THO q cheerful cluster coral but
tons onsetting the fronts Of her JACKIE and
dark brown dcgsan gloves, yoa can hard
ly think Of anything Al once SO tidy with
out primness and 50 gay without friyolIty
as thai pretty suit
If you are talking about rink and rainv
day dresses may ] come IN and add my
mite Of Information. enQuired Maisie,
suddenly appearing in the doorway. Just
about the first Of the year remarked the
newcomer. putting her feet on the fender,
L am almost economical. That Is one Of
my new leaves, my good resolutions, and
you may guess how nobly I am liEiHg up
10 it when ] tell you Of my gown ] can
use il for any and all occasions on which
a short skirt is required-mine is a thor
ouEhly plain army blue cloth. has q habit
back and drops 70 the ankles. where over
my calf-skin boots I wear grey spatter-
Cashes. All the girls who skate and walk
much ID short skirts wear the ankle pro
tectors made either OF heavy grey cloth
or Of soft suede. They give Tue foot such
sturdy 1usi1ezs-like air and beside they