The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-19
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Jan. IS.

WASHINGTON, d. c.. Jan. IS.
THE Balls tho thing." That's
not what VIII Shakespeare
said; but Shakespeare didn't
know. He had never seen the Russian
Ball as Washington saw II last
Wednesday night and Thursday
morning. Perhaps 1t was the fact
that the Charity Ball last Saturday had
beer something of a frost. although II
probably Melted a goodly sum for the
Chlldren's Hospital, that made the man.
ngers OF the Russian Ball redouble their
efforts But whatever the reason, GER
tainly the Russian Ball for the benefit of
the American refugees at Petrograd, held
in the lovely new ballroom of the new
Wardman Park Inn. was tho most brill
liant function not only OF this. but Of
several seasons.
don't know whether you know about
that American refuge which is no longer
al Petrograd but has been moved to
Nologda, where it Is more accessible to
supplies and can be a little better pro-
tected. II was started by Mrs. George
Narye when her husband was United
States Ambassador to look after few
OF the destitute children OF the war zone.
When the Maryes left Russia the
refuge was turned over to Mrs. II. Fes-
sender Meserve, whose husband is vice
JlTeSlneTt OF inc .NdtlOndl lily bdilN
she. even better than Mrs. Marye knows
how bitter the need is. She tells most
narrowing tales of the little children
they are trying to care for. The best
uhat could be done for the children
seemed to be to teach them to forget, and
to feed and to clothe them and mako life
not quite all misery and suffering.
Went Through Two Revolts.
The Meserves themselves stayed in
Russia for many months after the first
outbreak OF the revolution. They were
there during the second terrible upheaval
year ago last November. and they
lived like rats in a cellar until they could
make their escape across Siberia. 1t Is
hard when one talks to people like Mrs
Meserve and her lovely, blooming daugh-
ttr-people accustomed to every luxury
10 realize that they are actually refu-
gees from the Russian Terror. A few
minutes Of talk with them makes more
impression than columns and columns Of
print which present facts and conditions
Ia beyond the imagination.
They (the Meserves) were leaving
Washington the day after the ball and
expected to sail Saturday for France
where Mr. Meserve IS. to be sort OF
fiscal agent for the reconstruction of
present. II doesn't look healthy there
for any sane business Just yet. 1t seems
rather n pity that they are leaving their
beautiful home up on r street which
they had begun to build half a dozen
years ago.
But to return 20 the bali. II there
were any disgruntled ones who felt that
they did not get their moneys worth at
the Charity Ball there was no room for
any such complaint at the Russian Ball.
The tickets at the two were exactly the
same price. And the Russian Ball sup
piled a real supper and some perfectly
fascinating feature dances by perhaps
half dozen OF Chalifs best dancers.
sion.
Many Effective Dresses.
really think the most effective outfit
IN the room was Louise Delano's Her
gown seemed to be of gold tissue with
touches of rather strong blue, and her
kakoschnik was an enormous fan shaped
erection OF blue. with gold decorations
Her cousin, Sara Price Collier, who mar
ried Lieut. Charles Fellowes Gordon, r.
n, week or two ago. wore the lovely
white and silver gown which was her
wedding gown and a pearl kakoschnik
Nine. Bakhmcteff had said she was
going to wear a genuine and very an
Gent kakoschnik set with diamonds and
tmeralds. OF course curiosity was stirred
and disappointed. What she wore seemed
10 be merely a large and not particu-
larry picturesque tiara.