The San Francisco call., 1908-11-15


neoged debutante at the White House,
backed by an alluring group of sister
buds hailing from all sections of the
great world; half score of weddings.
a Few engagements absolute and a few
in the tentative stage: the elections,
the enlivening gossip pertaining to
the personnel Of the next cabinet; Miss
Elkins and her duke; golf tourna-
ment' bridge, and the ever new excite
ment as to clothes are the enthralling
topics that nowadays serve to keep
conversation about Washington tea
tables at the boiling point.
A midseason activity is apparent on
every hand. and the benighted individ-
ual who is accustomed to picture Wash
ington as stin in the thralls of its
summer time siesta until November
would better Obliterate the product OF his
nimble fancy by a few firm strokes
with the full brush" of obvious facts.
Polity and circumstance go hand in
hand to make Washington the social
center of the country, and the pro-
vincial town of the old days is no more.
Kline, serenely nibbling grass about the
parkings in the avenue" and poultry
making music in the rear gardens of
city homes are picturesque traditions,
and into the realm of tradition, also,
must go the oft told tale that Wash
ington is a six months city"
r OF 81 lEdSL d QeCdQ6 In6 nag WHICH
waves over the White House in token
that the presidential family is in
residence" has been run up before mid
September, and seldom has il been
hauled down prior to mid-June. Fol-
lowing the lead OF the White House
family. diplomatic and official house
holds find it expedient, therefore, to re-
tain their Washington addresses even
though they break the tedium of the
lOnp hW q nparhV
coast resorts, an auto car tour through
the historic and picturesque commit
nity adjacent to the city, or q, prolonged
stay at some of the famous resorts of
fashion such as the Virginia hot
springs.
Just now the debutante circle occu-
pies the center of the stage. and right
worthy of a prominent position are the
applicants for social favor. On De-
cember IS pretty Miss Roosevelt, de-
mure. fair haired and soft eyed, her
grownup honors resting easily upon
her wei poised shoulders will make
take the form of a dance in the great
east room of the White House. where
little over two years a go Miss Ethel,
a slender maid in her early teens.
stepped out from the family circle and
before the assembled representatives
Of the world Of politics. fashion and
diplomacy stood for a fateful second,
holding her sisters flowers while that
high spirited maid plighted her troth
to Nicholas Longworth.
Last year almost everybody thought
Miss Ethel would yield to the lure of
the gay season and drop her books and
plunge into the vortex of debutante
festivity; but not so. To be sure, she
withdrew from her class at school, out
only to take up her studies with a
tutor From time to time last season
she got a peep at things she Will this
year be permitted to enjoy. She at
tended the opera. all concert of any
worth and made frequent trips east.
where she took part in schoolgirl fetes.
and dances. Last spring she served as
bridesmaid for her little friend, Miss
Farr, Of New Jersey. and this summer
she passed some time under the genial
eye OF her paternal aunt. Mrs. William
Sheffield Cowles, woman who by rea-
son Of her long residence. abroad and
her gifts as a social leader is a past
mistress of the suave arts that go to
make for success in the polite world;
so. taking it altogether, the presidents
youngest daughter has had an abund-
ant training for the important role she
viii essay this winter
AS IDE the personality OF the W mite
House debutante she is quite the re-
verse Of her dashing sister, Mrs. Long
worth. Her friends are all girls of the
most demure type. At the Cathedral
school. where she received her educa-
tion, Miss Ethel was remarkable chiefly
for her ability to keep even with her
classes without any special effort.
She took a young girls interest in
all things pertaining TO school life as
-afF +1,ss 7-ff
several class organizations and entering
heartily into all the fetes of the day.
However, she was neither the leader
nor the last to enter into any project;
in other words she was a good mixer"
popular with her mates and generally
Jolly good company without being
noticeably different"
She rides horseback fearlessly, she
rows and swims and dances beautifully.
She has her mothers talent for music
and her mothers quiet taste in dress.
Although nowadays the observed of all
Observers her favorite street costume
is a natty little tailor made gown of
leaf brown mixed goods" the rather
long. loose fitting coat marked by
shawl collar and cuffs of brown velvet.
Her half large hat Of brown felt has
for trimming a soft sash of dull pink
messaline draped loosely about the
lDW crown anu LiiSItu dt Tic lVAl SluS
in 'whorl." Recently al the theater
she appeared in a simple frock of pale
blue messaline, the decolletage being
softened by a drape OF blue tulle. Her
sole ornament was a cluster of violets
and her uncovered hands and arms were
quite innocent of jewels.
Evidently Miss Roosevelt in type and
temperament is youthful counterpart
OF her mother, woman remarkable for
her sweetness, amiability and good
breeding. yet not by any means devoid
of strength Of character or mentality.
Flanking the White House debutante
Is an assemblage of girls from every