Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-09-13
PORTALS new YORK LETTER

everywhere, on everybody, young and
old, fat and lean, the haut monde and
on the Sixth avenue belle. The net
waist.is always en- evidence. You sec
1t oftenest in black, frequently in white,
and the lining is always low in the
neck and without sleeves. The net is
usually of the fish net variety, and is
arabesque design in tiny satin ribbon.
Many Of the waists are tucked, some
simply full, but to be in it the maid or
matron must now have a net waist.
During these humid days in this
Metropolitan centre one would expect
to see the shops entirely deserted, but
womaukind, ever on the outlook for
something new, crowds them in the
sweltering hours Of the morning, seek
ing new fads and fancies. The best
known gownmakers have returned from
their summer trips ABROAD, but as yet
have unpacked very few of theiS tempt
ing wares. l had a peep at Fifth
avenue atalier the other day, and fiEd,
Beth, that simplicity is to be the key
note Of fall costuming. This simplicity
isa very elastic term; in fact 1t Is in
reality the merest sham for the ur-to-
date simplicity means great deal OF
trouble and only the unappreciatiye
will really all IL simple. The latest
wells are merely of plain tulls. without
dots and without borders. II is quite
chic to wear one of these tulle wells In
PINK, and If the weather permits have
over 1t dotted chiffon veil in brown
or blue.
The hats for late summer or early fall
are what you may call '.big small"
hats, for they are in reality toques
which always sound small, but are ia
immense proportions and take up as
much room in milady's trunk as Maud
Muller's leghorn. You should be most
careful about your bat, Beth. Nothing
SO far as womRn's clothes 60 is
NEARER or dearer" than hat, and
nothing so quickly gives away The style
OF the woman. let SO many women
make this their one point of sconomy
and thereby ruin their entire appear
anoe. The gownmakers tell me that
the separate waist, strictly speaking, is
not worn; but how they will get over
this fnct with smart shops SO full of ex-
quisite creations of this sort suitable
for many times and places. and the
only thing to be worn with a cloth
tailor-made suit. / know rot. Aud
predict when the cool days come on,
nd milady's tailor sends her home
chic cloth skirt and coat. that some
separate waists of exquisite designs will
be in the box. y
"Well, how do you like them9" 1t
was the Cynic's voice close at my
elbow as I sat at Sherry's, yesterday
afternoon, Watching q girl arranging
one OF those new tulle wells. My mind
was at once taken off of '.tit and fash.
icn," for the Cynic, though at times
he seems interested IN feminine "trip
peries, today was bit serious and be-
fore we knewlit we had struck at note
OF seriousness in our conversation to
the accompaniment of the roll of the
carriages on Fifth avenue. 1t was Of
friendships which he Began to talk this
afternoon. 1.-THE friendships which are
best worth having are those which come
unsought, Friends in any true and
abiding sense are in tho nature of
discovery. As things go with human
beings in this world. friendship may be
subjected to much jar and fret but IN
its ideal state this can be endured be-
cause there is that in its nature which
is indestruotible. This, my dear Portia,
is the rarest kind of friendship.
Yes" smiled, answering him, $50
rare thut one socks for@it In books
rather than in real life. For my part.
think friendships are q mere matter
of accident and magnetism and tenn
permanent. People talk lightly and care
lessly of friendship when they do not
know the meaning Of the term. To ex-
change cards and calls and dinner In
vitations, to hold views in. common as
to Ibsen's drama is NOT friendship.
Friendship frankly deties analysis.
deties explanation, defies all the known
laws of the chart Of polite society.
There are plenty of people fitted out
with goodiy relay Of substantial
qualities who are admirably calculated
to fill the place OF the extensive outer
court of agreeable aoquaintances. That
life alone is rich which holds ono per-
feet friendship, Friendship must be
largely taken for better or worse; it is
idle to throw over a friend who in many
ways gives you an agreeable compan.
ionship because you discover faults not
| at first perceived, for truly, friendship
In itself is as fine an art rs painting or
sculpture, and must be- studied.
think Beth understands one element of
friendship, my dear Cynic. She
thoroughly comprehends that there is
nothing more fatal to friendly relations
than complaints, Ieprogches and de-
mands for explanations. People must
be judged by the Wilderness of their
conduct. A thousand subtle influences
unforeseen have their action and reac-
tion on our lives. Many a temporary
alienation is overcome by silence. I"
II think you and ! get on fairly
we'll, " said the Cynic. because of this
one element. We leave questions alone
and take up other interests. /"
but what makes you no serious to-
day." / queried. Have you lost
friend that you are thinking thus
deeply?"
NO." he said, IT think have
gained one;" smiling that insorutible
smile II think have gained one in
myself. You know we are not always
good friends to ourselves and came
here today outbursting with confidence
and longing to let out my troubles on
you, but you see have kept them to
silent SO L think / have done myself
good, for frankly--oh don't talk, you
needn't shake your head sympatheti-
| cally, it is toe warm weather for sym
patty. l repeat frankly, no one, 90
matter how dear they are to us, can
stand being burdened with outrourings
of our troubles all the time; so come,
let us forget it for the once, aud laying
off trouble for an hour or even few
minutes raises the burden SO that we
are better prepared to meet it II it
really has to come. Come, put on your
worldly, frivolous smile, and take
drive in the park and only see tho
brighter side of life as we 60 by"
So YOU see. Beth, 1t uuite took my