New-York tribune., 1908-02-09

Paris. January
With the Partisan grande dame the habit OF
afternoon tea has become as fixed as II is Win
t7,e,,s,, and American women. There is moth
ing in the public life Of this enchanting city
thar gives one a keener sense of joie de vivre
than TO select early of an afternoon secluded
corner in one or another Of the smart tea rooms
that gre scattered thickly through the fashion
ahIe mart Of Paris Here. while spelling one S
dinner appetite in consuming endless cups Of
tea and delicious gateaux. one may watch the
stream Of women of all ages, coming and gong
all r1odishly gowned, for it is above all dress
parade.
what fascinating creatures they are, these
high class French women. with their white pow
dered faces their scarlet lips and wonderfully
coifured hair. their hats tiptilted always at
lust the correct angle: Big pearls or diamonds
shine in their ears. and their wrists Jingle with
bracelets Al one table sits beautiful woman
picturesouely gowned in dull green, with huge
yellow chrysanthemum al her breast Beside
her Mate lies sac-a-main of a shape and
design impossible TO be initiated in a cheap
form; it drips the new green stone, brighter
and Of deeper color than emerald. that has
50 wonderfully caught tickle fancy for the mo-
uent. Her tea finished, she takes from her sac
a-rnain 2 vanity box a lovely thing of smooth
shining gold fat not much larger than a ciga-
rette case. and from il she produces a tiny mir
Tor and powder puff and delicately touches her
already white nose: then. with a shake Of her
draperies, she strolls slowly out
THE CHEERING CJ-P FOR MEN
Men ere srrinkied-and not sparsely-through
these afternoon gathering places of the idle SET
for they also feel the subtle fascnations Of the
cheering cup. its zest increased by the company
of lovely wonderland what better place can
there be for a rendezvous?
From z quiet corner one may see many lit
tie comedy played. and. alas, sometimes bit OF
drama that offers hint Of the tragic: hut the
veneer of conventionality preserves the outer
peace at least The lady of the yellow chrysan-
1henlum had scarcely left her table when 1t was
again taken. this time by sparkling brunette
wondrousIy gowned in dark blue velvet and
roval errnine furs She was followed by young
man whose every glance at her breathed true
French devotion Tea was ordered and brought
and while slipping it the couple engaged IN quite
ordinary conversation. the petite nothings of So
ciety Soon an older man entered. Standing in
side the door moment, with one swift glance
around ne went over 10 the table of the obvious
" confused young couple After grand. If some
what ironic. bow to the man he offered his arm
TO the woman ard quietly said that in passing
he had observed nadame's carriage In front Of
the door and feeling certain that madame was
fatigued ne would conduct her . it at once"
Another ironicai salute and he was gone with
madame on MS arm. The man 50 suddenly
deserted finished his tea with perfect aplomb
and sauntereG aTay, but one could see for the
morrow a challenge and pistols for two
Fashion has set the mark OF her approval on
afternoon tea in public, especially in the autumn
of the year and during Lent Before. and in the
pause OF. the more strenuous social life the
Frenchwoman makes Of her favorite tea room
her club going all through the season TO the