The sun., 1914-08-30


entity as guileless, not a trace of humor
showing in any line Of his whimsical
face. He looked over us all with n
bored expression OF complete disinter-
estedness, leaning down here and there
to answer greetings from his most beau
ttul customers and once. close to us
Responding to the call Of fat dowager
with four young daughters who insisted
on having ive seats together when
there were hardly five empty chairs in
the whole room.
There was reason enough not to smile
over her. with those four lovely daurh-
ters to dress. and at NJ. KS calm call
tripped lightly up one Of the ladies in
brown to beg and thank simple folk
around us till the five seats were made
mot found) for the exacting customer.
The entertainment was delayed.
whisper to that effect fiuttered over the
room. Cleo de Merode had not been
heard from, though the other artists
were present. But there was to he "A
diversion. VI y had agreed. as the
dancing could hot begin. TO show his
friends as a favor few of his advanced
+ models. The inference was that we
had not all come for the express pur-
pose of seeing them-things are done 50
deliCatcly in France.
few moments later they appeared
on the low stage. a moving line, in
single fie of beautiful morning gowns.
The dozen mannequins were pretty. tail
and not too thin ideal y models Their
gait was that inmitahle glide % the
Paris mannequn, slow and serene and
floating, hands held out at right angles.
arms back, shoulders stopped swayine
as II In tune TO the music ~ the dreams
in which their gowns had been born.
Their gait, broken ankle. dislocatcd
hip. spineless backbone. whatever was
the latest attempt of Paris slang to eX-
press IT, was there and is and VIII bc a
screaming caricature of fashion plates
But as lf utterly unconscious they
marched and countormarched with
never smile, fixed, waXen faces turned
toward the audience.
AT last the leader stepped down from
the stage and turned into the crowded
aisle, through the women and fashion
able men who were moving slowly back
and forth in search OF places Their
snakelike walk served them well 10
make their way and their solemn faces
turned only to answer questions from
equally serious minded women Of FASH
back and sides. the cut and the material.
and then let them pass ON.
Then pair of hcwinEcd dancers ap-
peared on the stage and passed through
the motions Of a minuet. An orchestra
was playing somewhere. bur no one
heard it, A vast chatter was on and
the gowns had become the talk OF the
day only when, the dance having
dragged out To "A dismal. unapplaudcd
finale. the mannequins appeared again,
did attention concentrate once more
and the solemn rites OF fashion proceed
Now the manneQuins were in baau-
tiful taffeta Of brilliant hues instead Of
he delCatcly tinted morning gowns
Brilliant and daring in design. exquisite
In shade, and each set of with single
spot Of gorgeously contrasting color, a
great artificial flower IN the corsagc or
a brilliant belt hanging down behind the
frocks were cause enough for chatter
now The procession filed the length Of
the hall and back again into the dress
ing rooms.
\ person, obviously the comedian
monologue artist on the programme,
stepped TO the front Of the stage. Fash
Ion accorded him a hcet!ng uuseeing
glance and continued 20 talk of the new
gowns. He began to talk and smile 20
himself No one else heard or saw him
At last he raised his voice above the din.
M y. desires me 10 announce --'
The chatter subsidized to hear the news
, about the next models and eyes turned
20 NJ. y, who might have been deaf for
all he seemed to know of what was go-
Ing on. The comedian took up his mono
, logue and was heard no more. IL was
the official announcer thereafter. and
that was all The mannequins appeared
again, in more daring Colors and effects
this was a day Of history, even for
Paris fashions.
At last Cleo, the rage Of Europe, ap-
peared on the platform 20 give her
classic dances. She wore draperies of
white and palest yellow, a dismal, drab
picture after the y. models. She had
the attention OF the audience for a few
brief seconds, and then from somewhere
= came rumor that the tango specialists
were in the ballroom back o; the hall,
and slow exodus began. Cleo was as
If she had no, been.
No wonder she had tried To forge, her
engagement at this festival Of fashion
! only when, afer she had finished her
dances, more mannequins in beautiful
afternoon gowns appropriate ana won
( derful for ladies who are tall and not too
thn) s!dled out on the stage and
| through the hall did talking cease and
l necks crane as cleo had had every right
to expect rhem To crane for her.
p Now the mannequins solemnly
. marched out and back through the
. dance hail, Crcled the edge of the floor
< between the dancers and the watchers
: and thence out into the garden and the
I sunlight That was the invitation TO
= tea.
e Canvas walls had shut off the most
r., picturesque side of the garden OF the
, Pre- Catalan and under the shade of the
| old trees aided here and there by great
cream coored sunshades and brilliant
4 awnings, were placed the pale green
q tables and chairs which are the sweet
, est touch in the picture Of outdoor
I Paris. They were clean and beautiful,
Y the tables were covered with white
!, linen and the gravel under foot seemed
To have been washed to its pale yellow
beauty for just that day.
q The fashionable world inside filed out
t...I Inc nd tha