South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-10-28
London, Sept. 20.

LOuuOus OcPI ~.
%THE foolish society women of London
have completely lost their heads
over Vaslav Nijinsd, the Russian
male dancer.
Never In the history OF the stage. It is
believed, has one man received so much
female alteration. Women of wealth and
title, many of them young and beautiful.
throw discretion and feminine reserve to
the winds In their frenzied applause of the
dancer on the stage and in their intrigues
to monopolize his society on other occa-
sioDs.
The women have showered him with
bouquets at the theatre and inundated him
with appealing letters at home. So extra
ordinary has been the rush OF impassioned
letters that Nijinski has been compelled to
employ several secretaries to read them
and made suitable replies.
Niiinski. OF course, feels that a man or
his standing as a male dancer cannot
cheaper himself by making the acquain-
lance Of women not worth knowing. He
does not care to know those who are poor,
unattractive or without proper social posi-
ton His secretaries are persons Of wide
social knowledge. They read each letter
and throw into the waste basket those
which are obviously worthless. In the
other cases they make a report on the posi-
ton OF the writer and suggest a suitable
reply.
The exquisite Nijinsh then takes his
carefully selected love mail To a very
few he replies with his own fair hand.
The others receive q coldly polite note,
written by a secretary. II is, in fact,
mail order love trust" that is controlled
by Nijinski, the first OF its kind ever heard
OF.
The letters call for great variety OF
services and replies. Not all Of them as
pire TO a personal meeting with NJ. Min
ski Some Of the writer's desire a flower
that he has worn or a handkerchief, or
even one OF his old shoes. Some of them
send him money, not as the price Of any
thing desired, but just as a tribute laid on
the altar of beauty.
There are alluring invitations TO shady
bungalows up the Thames and coy cot
tages in St Johns Wood. These must be
carefully inquired into by the secretaries.
They are not to be discarded lightly. as
the tittering American may think. Many
a milllonaire's wife, and perhaps even a
duchess OF two, possesses a little retreat
in those pleasant regions, where she can
enjoy Bohemian life, free from the solem-
mites OF society.
II is evidently a delicate matter to de-
eide Just what invitations IL is wise 70 &C
cept and Just what must be coldly declined.
just what presents may be accepted and
what should be returned with a note Of
honest indignation. Tho stan OF ''the mail
order love trust" is very busy.
Just what is contained in Nijinskis re
plies IL is, OF course, impossible TO say, but
he has wor the reputation of being as
good a letter writer as dancer Some Of
his admirers win the privilege of an invi-
tation TO his famous midnight suppers
Others are permitted the colder JOY of at
tending a large afternoon reception Some
undoubtedly achieve the supreme Joy OF a
genuine tete-a-tete.
Niiinski's managers and friends have
greatly restricted the nocturnal festivities
IN which he used 10 indulge. IL became
evident that the wholesale alteration OF the
London women might render him unfit to
practise his art. and might even deprive
is therefore allowed 10 have only one sup
per party a week now
Extraordinary tales are told Of Nijinski's
successes with the women and his rather
heartless manner Of referring 10 them II
is difficult to believe all these, but yet
anyone who has seen the frenzied recep-
ton given 70 the dancer at the theatre
must believe anything possible.
One story is that Nijinski danced into
bis club bearing a bundle OF daintily scent
ed and imposingly crested letters under
an arm. IF any of you boys want 10 meet
some lovely ladies', here's your Oppor-
tunity." be said 70 the men gathered in
the smoking room. Several of them made
= dosE Cor thc letters. but he lodged them