Omaha daily bee., 1909-08-15

topped with an enormous black hat and
an aigrette thereon which would make a
member Of an Audubon society, even II he
happened to live in Philadelphia, sit up ana
take notice. A momentary vis-a-vis is Mrs.
Lewis Harcourt in cerise and gray.
These and other sowns noted have all
similar features Of excessive clingingness'
the trains. like mermaids' tails, swirling
about them stiff and destroy the adhesive
effect; the tall. slight figures moving
with difficulty in materials that swathe
without superfluity. The fishwife and
tunlc effects, the newest fashions, follow
the rule Of closeness, and TO ali appear
snce the figures might have been moulded
into their gowns. Soft silks, ssCns
and weaves like chRfmeUse and kindred
materials are popular. Cbiffons and mus
Inns are worn to an extent, but prin-
cipally by the younger women, the near
debutantes.
Lady Helen Graham Is In a creation
OF turquoise silk muslin. and there are
several others of the more matronly
class who favor the material from time
immsmorial associated with garden par
! ties. One OF the bellies of the occasion
is Lady Margaret Campbell. who is in
a white satin gown and her picture hat
is a bed of pink roses. An American
girl near her wears a silky finished blue
linen, a mass of exquisite hand embroid-
cry, and her blue lined hat is coquettishly
trimmed with blue plumes and negrettes.
Conversation is low toned and languid.
A member of a foreign nobility who has
been in the United States and married
a rich wife is heard to say to an American
inquirer:
Il shall probably never return; there is
nothing to attract me there now. / have
a house in London and a shooting box in
Scotland"
Ar English girl is explaining to a trans
atlantic cousin that of her long line Of
distinguished relatives she is particularly
proud Of one who has the privilege gained
from a far-off ancestor of standing with
his hat on before the king.
B would that be any fun7" asks the
American.
Not fun exactly" responds the other,
and, Of course, he would never think Of
doing such a thing. but It is rather nice to
have the privilege, isn't .it?'
IF were he" Is the answer 'I should
certainly get real devilIsh some day and
put It on. Think Of the enormous salts
faction"
The English woman is vlsibiy hurt, but
you do not wait for her response II there
be any, for an amiable guest offers to show
some Of the storied glories Of the beautiful
mansion and explains some OF its history
enroute.
stafford House." says your guide,
Should be extremely interesting to Ameri-
cans, for it's history is closely associated
with many events that have helped make
American history. 1t has always been a
rendezvous for celebrated people who
needed its assistance in their philan-
thropio work and the largesse of its means
and name have never been refused. The
present duchess is following out presidents
established from the beginning Of the fam
ily's power.
In contrast with the garden party at
Stafford House is one at Ranelagh, the
name Of whose pleasure grounds is asso-
ciated with the social life of long ago.
Ranelagh, a short motor ride from Lon
don, is the best known country club near
London. Every Saturday afternoon a gar
den party 10 on and there are usually spe-
ciRl entertainments Of pony racing and polo
tournaments, for next to Nottingham 1t
has the best polo ground anywhere about.
It's wide approach is a quarter of a mile
long boulevard, winding under an arbor
OF spreading trees. Inc SluD mouse sun
preserves the Elizabethan features and was
once the residence of the famous Kit-Kat
club. 1t has many comfortable reception
rooms furnished In c%retonnes and chintzes,
a valuable collection of old prints, and
even the sour smile OF oliver Goldsmith.
l a full length portrait OF whom adorns the
: entrance hall, cannot cast more than u
: momentary shadow over the quiet gayety
t Of the four or five hundred guests.
There is some attention paid here to land
Y soape gardening, in which it differs from
i the usual English park. At many turns
, you come to pretty little bridges thrown
> across artificial ponds, and on the green
p banks you dispute possession with stately
swans, ducks and geese, while some pea
I cocks on the turf further along remind you
OF the Scottish pipers at Stafford house
9 with their lordly strut. There are spacious
u golf fields and many croGuet grounds,
j. level as a billiard table, the swardlike vel
vet offering a good framing for the ath-
n letic English girls, with faces Drowned
. but with always the rose ana white COM
{ ing and going in the cheeks. defying the
accusation OF artificial touches.
Rustic arches or rose edged lanes lead to
4 quiet seats placed so that II lovemaking Is
desired or even filtration, 1t may be carried
on in a fit frame. but they are apparently
n little used; neither pastime is suggested by
a the average English garden party crowd,
After you have sat for a while in one OF
the comfortable chairs placed In rows alonE
the old round which at RanelaBh borders
, the racing track, and witnessed one OF the
a pony races, hurdle or seurry, or that per-
haps for the Ranelagh cup, for all OF which
the entries must be owned and ridden by
a members Of the Ranelagh club OF by off
a GERS Of the army or navy, you stroll, as th'
. mode is. along the stretches OF lawn listen.
I'M. to the music OF several bands stationed
r. here and there, one OF which is always II
action, or following another slice OF tn,
4 crowd you take your tea I'm the open, with
!. a rose bush at your side, music in the din
distance a waiter in scarlet coat TO servc
you and one OF the many attaches II
scarlet trousers. white sweater and straw
hat-the regulation livery OF this corps-tI
!, pick up your handkerchief. fix your chat
y or perform some other important duty. Tes
here as elsewhere at social functions is al
elaborate spread. with ices and parti
coIored pastries and hug strawberrie
Taking the special brew served in fragil,
porcelain cups.
Al your special table an Englishman 4