The Washington herald., 1911-09-26

Altogether It is a curious and an in
teresting face, that of Gaby Deslys. 1t
is pretty, with the prettiness OF youth, the
prettinese OF a bisque doll, yet with its
youth and its dollness belied by an in
tangible expression Of knowledge Of the
world and shrewdness. One would have
tc be very poor judge OF human nature.
indeed, not to see that Mile. Deslys
knows very we'll which side Of her bread
was buttered-and how to get jam for It.
AS for her clothes. the greatest dress
makers and milliners of Paris have law
ished the most ravishing creations Of
their ateliers upon her. All that dress
can do for a women has been done for
her When 1 saw her she wore a most
exquisite tailor-made frock of white
serge, heavily braided in soutache. 1t was
made with a little coat and skirt and
worn with an ecru blouse Of some thin
material.
On her head was a very tall white
beaver hat, close fitting about the face,
where it was faced with black. 1t was
ornamented with long white aigrettes,
that came right up from the middle in
front from under a stiff black ornament,
and swept back over the crown. The hat
fitted so tightly about the head that 1t
covered every bit of the hair except a
few yellow curls that were pulled out
over her ears.
Wears Split Skirt.
And listen, sisters, her skirt was split
UP for about six or eight inches right in
the middle Of the back, SO that you got
good, generous view Of her silk clad
ankles as she walked. 1t wasn't harem
skirt, nor a trouser skirt, nor anything
of the kind. 1t was just a skirt that
was honestly split so as to give more
room for walking. Furthermore, Mile.
Deslys says that every one Of her new
skirts split in the same fashion-some
in 'front.' and some IN the rear, but all
where it will do the most good, and that
her evening gown skirts are split up as
high as the knee and filled IN with ruffles
Of lace or chiffon. But there was no
Disgusting the split to this walking dress.
It was Just plain split.
II 1 should sum up my impressions
Of Gaby Deslys 1 should say that she
is the very essence Of all that we as
sociate with the gay side Of Paris life.
She's "all that ever went with even-
ing Dress in the cafe chantant and
the restaurants that wake up as decent
folks go to bed. She's an exotic Of the
boulevard, one Of those strange creatures
made by the passions and follies of
men, and who in turn are the ruin of
men.
So far as outward appearance and
ability go there is no reason why Gaby
Deslys should not always have remained
merely q music hall performer, doing
her little turn and earning her modest
stipend, and wearing imitation pearls
except that the great god, Luck, threw
In her pathway foolish little boy King,
who lost his silly little head over
her. 1t might just as well have been,
so far as beauty and talent go, any one
Of ten thousand of others Of her kind.
But IT wasn't. It was Gaby. She be-
came famous, or infamous, as you Ike.
And rich. And sought after by man
ayers. who are scrappingwith each other
to give fortunes to her to have her do
her little song and dance before audi
ences that were willing to pay to see
the sweetheart Of a King.
Gaby DesiSs denied to me with many
and vehement gestures that It was
through King Alfonso Of Spain, that she
met King Manuel Of Portugal.
But no; II Is not true,S she said. ct
knew King Alfonso. oh, yes: we'll For
a long time before I met King Manuel
Il is nothing. There are always In Paris
many members of royalty. They do not
come there as kings. In state, with their
robes and their crowns. But no. They
come to enjoy themselves. They come
how you say it,
'Tncognito."LI suggested.
But yes. Incognitc. They come to
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