The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-31

With the swift coming ot Lent, which raises It's barrier of sackcloth and ashes against the world of festivity the reign of the girl of 1914 hears its end and the rose laden bark of the belles of 1915-16 floats into view. None may say what the intervening months may bring forth, with the greater part of the world tear ing itself limb from limb but 1t is hoped that the rosy dawn of peace will have spread it's warmth over the world before next November, when the next season may be said to have formally be- gun. At any rate the girls of 1915-16 make charming group and their command of the situation next winter will enhance the pleasures of society whatever the fstes may decree for the nations of the world.
 Society here has had quiet season and probably, this being true, the Lenten calm will not be notable ss heretofore with its contrast to the gayety that pre- ceded it. The Southern club decided yes- terday, when Its entertainment commit tee met in council during the luncheon hour, to observe the approach of the penitential period with the customary masquerade. For many years this has been feature of the evening of Shroye Tuesday, and many have been the gay evenings spent by the members and their friends en masque.
 So again, on Shrove Tuesday, which is celebrated this year February 16, the ballroom at the club, and the other big ane beautiful apartments of the build ing will be brilliant with the color and laughter, the mystery and banter of the merriest of all holiday gatherings. In two things will this years festivity vary from those that have preceded it. First, in that every member of the club-and his lady-who accepts the clubs hospi- tality will be required to appear in mas- querade. This will be welcome news to the many who have frequently been heard to express the wish that the oc- casion might fully observe the rules of the typical reign of the King of Mis- rule. Most pleasure is to be had, 1t Is ccntended, in the Mard Gras ball which observes this rule of costume most strictly, and it is with this idea of giv- ing pleasure to the guests that the com mittee has asked that all appear in mask attire.
 Second the ball is to be a Pierrot and Fierrette masque. It is believed that this uniformity of disguise will add an element of mystery deepening the pleas ure of the evening and also that the guests will find it a simpler task to prepare costumes of this character. First it was suggested that gorgeous attire be discouraged and the committee then be- hn nIIa lint tune of Pierrot and Pierrette which has been affected in times past by other maskers at the club and always with comfort and almost always defying detec- ton.
 Many will recall domino parties which have given pleasure to the dancing mem- bers of society. One that stands out pre- eminently in the social history of Bir- mingham was the hospitality of MT. and Mrs Bradley Saunders a few years ago, when the occasion was one of the mer- riest and most thoroughly charming in the history of the city.
 The club hopes that the Mardi Gras ball will be one largest of the season, which it is designed to conclude; that every member will be there and that every maid and matron who enjoys the club functions will be present
 Mrs. Henry D. Clayton, whose photo-
 
 the most interesting visitors of the sea- son. She is here for a brief stay with her distinguished husband. Judge Clay ton, and they were among the guests last evening at the Country club, where their table was surrounded during the dinner hour, and they were again the center of an interested coterie in the sun parlor during coffee. Mrs. Clayton not only pos- sesses beauty and a certain stateliness Of bearing, but she has a sweet, gracious manner that has won for her many friends not only in Montgomery, where she and Judge Clayton were brilliantly entertained and exceedingly popular so- cially. but also in Washington, where they have a charming circle of friends. It is not often that the 'headliner' during a brief week of vaudeville wins so charming a place in society as has Miss Bessie Wynn, whose engagement terminated here last night. She has in- stalled a little niche of her own in the hearts of the people who have met her and by her sweet womanliness has ere ated a circle of genuine admirers who ap- precate her qualities of mind and heart no less than her talent. She has quite