The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-28

At no time to so great a degree as IN
the holy season Of Lent does Vanity
Fair exhibit those delicious little in
congruities" as Mary NacLane express
es it. Of fashionable life Every year
with Ash Wednesday when the giddy
butterfly who knows what is expected
of the modish puts ON her sack-cloth
and ashes the cynic is given an excellent
opportunity to ieer and scoff at the in
sincerity and frivolity of woman kind.
Womankind. because it is women. prin-
cipally who make a pretense of Keep
ling Lent" by attending the Lenten ser
vices at the churches. and talking about
the sacrifices they are making in pen
ance of their sins.
Lent, originally an important season
IN the church calendar has now come
to be regarded chiefly as a period of rest
and reCuperatiOn from pre-Lenten gale
ties and preparation for the spring and
summer campaign following Easter. So
clety observes Lent vigorously and even
among people who are not of the church
and who do not pretend to have relig-
ious scruples against gaiety during the
penitentlal season it is considered the
worst form to give an elaborate or for
NAL function on Wednesday or dur
ing Holy week. although if there is some
especial occasion for it, like the presence
of a distinguished visitor, an entertain
ment during the other days of Lent IS
not unheard Of
But although dancing and formal
functions are not INDUCED in al this sea -
son the women whom you see going to
and from church prayer book in hand
and with eyes demurely cast down vet
manage to crowd a good deal of gaiety
of a subdued nature into these six
weeks It is. for one thing, the great
card season. Dinners. dances. 1uncheons
and breakfasts rather force the delights
Of euchre and bridge to the background
during the rest of the year but these
come prominently to the fore in Lent.
Card clubs for that period are formed
and il is not unusual to hear of a wo-
man earning" the price of her spring
wardrobe at the bridge table after her
regular daily devotions at the cathedral
have been finished.
Some women who regard even the
permissible mi-careme dances as inn
possible choose Lent as a season for IN
usual activity at the gym. One girl
takes riding lessons another gets into
form a billiards. Last year pingpong
sprang into favor as a Lenten diversion.
Fencing classes are q popular form of
amusement at this season.
A muder Lenten amusement is furn-
ished by the sewing clubs and thimble
parties where instead of making fearful
and wonderful garments for the heath
en- the girls embrOider their spring and
summer shirt waists and make their
DAINTY lingerie IL Is easy enough 10
persuade themselves that this is most
virtuous occupation. Are they not saw
ing in their modistes bills as well as
cultivating habits of Industry At
these gatherings the fare is most alb
stem1ous Chocolate. bOuillOn and ices
take the place of the champagne and
canvas back duck of the pre-Lenten
luncheon menu.
Il always give up candy and sweets
during Lent" said a pretty debutante
the other with f6R a n 10
voluntary ascetic- II think one ought
to deny oneself sOmething-besi my
doctor says L am running my complexion
by eating all that trash"
DO you think there is anything in
that?" asked a companion anxiOusly.
%, yes indeed" replied the debutante
Il always get run down and bunny
looking about this time OF the year but