The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-15

ing line up to the bust long shawl drap-
cry of the loveliest black lace that did
look TO me like the really, truly hand run
Spanish. but Mrs. Back Bay takes firm
negative on that point. Anyway 1t was
the sort of thing that excites generous
envy. the rosy gown showed through the
black veil TO the greatest advantage. and
the bonnet of white tule on the admirably
coiifed head, was not the least among the
manifold charms of this toilet"
1t certainly sounds very fine to me-"
championed the hostess on Miss CHI
cagoese's side, and. after all, If they did
seem a trifle eccentric at first, it makes
little difference for aren't we wearing
lots Of outre things just now? Why,
here l am the mother OF a fourishins
family waving proudly toward a pink
morsel on pillow. that a white capped,
broad bosomed English nurse was pass
ing round like bunch of violcts or
crown jewels TO afford every eager and
admiring woman present a fleeing
glimpse or kiss. and l wish YOU could
see the new bonnet my milliner sent
home this morning TO me. In view OF
that strapping boy there l hardly feel
it digniiied in me 10 wear ii. She as
sures me it is the last thing out, and
the first of its kind was constructed
in Paris and sent to the Duchess OF
Marlborough. Mine is the second, and
in spite of its hopeless frivo.ity it is a
beauty. The crown is of violet satin
straw. made precisely in the form of a
fools cap On the atraw is app led
small. heavy ecru lace figures that con-
stitute the sole trimming, saving and
excepting a deiicatr wired. very up
standing bow of back chiffon directly in
front l did make face and took
a hasty vow when | Grst lifted it cut
of its box, but when | got it on my head
| gave way and wrote out my check ands
! shall spring il or a breath -bated world
al a no less important function than the
christening
over there by the tea table al The
women are talking about the c arms of
painted velvet applied to chiffon. and here
l am sure you are discussing something
equally millionarish 90 rplz incl the gill
from California. inining the group in the
bow window. Il want to exchange ideas
with somebody about gi. CHAINS, just Sim
pie cotton frocks, and"
''Oh. listen to the little sinner" broke in
Mrs Back Bay derisively. Let me oren
your eyes to her insineerity when she saws
she yearns toward an outpouring of soul
over calicos and plain hemmei flounces.
Last week | was at a dressmaker's. asking |
for wash gowns. and she showed me a |
poem in two parts, skirt and waist with an |
epilogue in the form of a hat The stf e |
was so simple asked the price, thinking |
might buy. What do you think it was? |
Just a plain red Bingham with pink trim |
mings. Now, guess the valuation that |
vampire of a dressmaker put on it %
Fifty dollaIs?" "Sixty?" Seventy
five" Eighty" Oh. not ninety, surely?"
said the hostess when Mrs. Back Bay had |
shaken her trim head over every price
named.
No ma am. Ninety five, l assure you
on my classic word. as born and bred
Bostonian. announced Mrs Back Bay. so
went forth to my own dressmaker, who
comes in by the day, and showed her how
10 lay the skirt in pretty perpendicular
tucks to the knees in front and then in
shortening scale as they grew toward the
back ! showed her how to lay on a band
Of pink bingham at the base of the tucks
md then we copied the waist of that wick
IDLY costly little gown point for point 1t
lsd tucked waist the fronts edged with
link and fastening with some sweet little
buttons and affording a glimpse
If tucked batiste chenisette. Well, We
made a great success OF it. and my econ
my filled me with pride, and one day |
vent out to walk. and | met that blonde
hing from California clothed in the
plendor Of that ninety-five dollar Bingham
md wearing it without blush"
The girl from California did b'uzh. how
ever. at the moment. How mu b did |
yours COST" she meekly asked Mrs. Back
Bay.
'-Oh, fifteen or eighteen dollar. think
and | could have done it for much less
said the lover of literature ard classics
Aith a confident little smile, for l will
iay that / think it the sweetest model for