"FEMININE" FANCIES.

NZ Truth, Issue 144, 21 March 1908, Page 4

"FEMININE" FANCIES.

Talk about Wednesday being a halfholiday. It seems to me that the parson and the photographer work harder on that day than on any other. Marriages may be made m heaven, but they are also made m Wellington. One rather funny little incident occurred last, week m connection with a wedding. The florist, either from neglect or lack of flora, failed to send the bridal bouquets.. After much persuasion on the part of her friends, the bride consented to take her future partner for better or worse without the flowers. All went well until they arrived at the photographers. Now, it is all very well to be married without the boquet, but to hand down your portrait m all your wedding bravery to your children's children without the accompanying flora, perish the thought. Wildly they 'phoned up the florist, but with no result. The photographer, fearing to lose an order (for husbands cannot stand many such ordeals) suggested that the artificial article kept on the premises could, with a little straightening and pulling out of the rather over-worked leaves, be made to do duty, and, as cunningly said, would come out all right m t the picture, and ' no one could detect the difference. So far so good. The group is picturesquely arranged. And after a . few suggestions, such as eyes a little more to the right. Now, smile just a wee bit more so, thank you, the deed is done. Next, suddenly, to the consternation of the party, the bride is overcome, and, putting up the two inches of muslin surrounded by lace (that does duty as a handkerchiefV to her eves, she weeps copiously into it. What is the matter; darling ? anxiously questions the brand-new husband, who, by the bye, was a widower. '"Oh, George !" sobs the fair one-, "I bate to think of anything second-hand being used at one wedding." And 'the photographer has to struggle With a cough' 'that threatens, to strangle him. ■ ■ •' ■ "* ■ • • . Despite the very threatening aspect, of the weather on Saturday afternoon, crowds of visitors found their way out to Island Bay to attend the grand fete held m connection with the Home of Compassion. The opening ceremony was performed by Lord Plunket,, who was accompanied by Lady : Plunket, the Hon. Kathleen Plunket,.. and Captain Garthorne Hardy, They were received and welcomed by Mother Mary Aubert. His 'Excellency ,said he would not detain the ' visitors with a long, speech, \ but 1 that from a long experience of 'bazaars, lie believed that the main object was to induce visitors to spend all the money they had m, their pockets. He knew of the many worries and obstacles that had beset the path of the good lady who had built -the home, but they, had, been overcome. And he felt sure that m ,tha future the Home -would be heartily supported by the people of Wellington. . There was no lack of inducement to part one from their silver. Fancy .goods, produce, and homemade sweets, whilst you could have youT fortune told m various ways by various people. Then there was the art gallery, where you could have your features sketched by .that clever artist, Miss May Moore. Then babies' show. Babies to the left of us, babies "to the right' of us, babies all round us smiling and pretty ; large babies, small babies ; babies fair, dark, and otherwise. They were all so, good, too, and stood the somewhat embarassing attention of the visitors so well, that I got tfrain |a'g trying to determine .which, ought to receive the prize, and really think there should have been enough prizes to give each one. Just outside this ward was a Tom Tiddlers' ground, where the small children worked frantically with spades digging for hidden treasure. Each one determined to move as much earth m the given space of time as possible, whilst fine music was supplied at different intervals all the afternoon. Not many of the visitors found their way to the two long wards where lie the dear children for whom this Home has been built. But those who did were saddened and shocked by the painful contrast. Above, stairs ' all was health and vitality, talk and laughter. Ail praise and credit . to Mother Mary Joseph and all such women who deVote their time and loving care where such help is so much needed. The net takings of the afternoon! were £175. Amongst those oresent were the Hon. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, Hon. Dr. and Mrs Findlay, his Grace, Archbishop Redwood, the Very Rev. Father Keogh, . Hon. T. Wand, Mrs.; Hislop, Drs. Collins and Mitson, and the Hon. G.. Fowlds. Upwards of three hundred people met to congratulate and wish long life and happiness to Mr E. A. Blundell, eWest son of the late Mr H-enry Blundell of the "Evening Post," and his charming bride, only' daughter of Mr Neil McLean, of Wellington. The wedding breakfast was served on the lawn m a large marquee. The bride was robed m a semi-Empire costume of chiffon taffitta, and carried a bouquet of white roses and chrysanthemums, with streamers of white tulle. The bridal, 'veil was richly .'embroidered m floss silk. * ■ ■"- , " The "Modern Adventuress" ceased to adventure after Tuesday night. It is a tedious play, ,and wire it not for the acting of Mr Harry mver, would be hopeless. The hero of the play is. a sorry creature who repays

his wife's devotion and trust m him ■ through all his rii-any adversities by believing the- worst of heir on the smallest provocation. Not content with divorcing her, he must steal her child whilst she is m a fainting fit, thereby not giving her even a sporting chance of retaining 'it. . It is a blessing to think that the comic servant exists only on the stage, or lifo would not be, worth the living. Miss Burdette does her best with a' trying part, and looks very effective m some pretty gowns. But she should learn to manipulate her train without that awkward kick. And m the end When her evil plot all fails to eventuate,: I she might with advantage he a little more impressive with her curses. I am sure the occasion warrants it. Mr Divers' acting m the studio scene where he breaks down from nervous overstrain, was most impressive, and lifted the part feet higher, and showed us what he could be capable of if he had a chance. However, the play caught on, and there was . a full house. . Miss Elsie Joseph, of motor-car fame, has become engaged to Mr Fred Nathan of Nathan and Co., produce merchants. . * • , y''- ■■■■■■-■■. .;:■■;;„■ The \ president of the Wellington Bowling Green, and his wife, Mrs. Bush entertained, 'the members of the Club and their wives and their friends at a euchre party last Thursday evening prior to their departure for the Big Smoke. At half-past ten the prizes., were given. Music and speeches ended the evening. The friends of Miss Agnes : Walshe tendered her a little farewell dance on. the eve pf her departure to Fogland. After supper she was the recipient of a handsome dressing-Case, suitably -inscribed. The presentation was made by Mr McParland, and was a gift, from her friends. Amongst the guests' were' Mr and Mrs McParland, Miss Quinn, Miss McArdle, Mrs Dwyer, Miss Crawford, Miss Fitzger-; aid, and the Misses Walshe. .. /■ * :•■■'■ * ■;■■ ■•'•■■ . . Mr Marion Crawford, m his new novel "Are^husa.," has given :us a few opinions on us women.' '! venture to give i a. few of thorn m case my readers ihave ; not , !read, "Arethusa." " She . has received' one cf those inspirations, of practical sense' which, yisit women who, are driven to extremities, and which have been the wonder of men since,. Jacob's .nii&tiher showed him how to steal his father's j blessing. It is quite. certainVthat , it was a woman who showed Columbus the trick with .the egg, when he himself was trying to balance, one an its i point. Only a. woman could . hare thought of anything so simple.". ( "In all tha^teloivgs tjb:,,rtihe ifrstijacr I tive side of life, women are much mOore alike than men are • whereas, because tihey ; are not led, nushed, or | dragged through' one average course of teaching, as most men are, hut aro left to think for themselves, they are much m or e unlike iii their way ; ■ -of looking at things. This also is the reason why many gifted men and a good many really learned ones would rather talk, to women than to men ; for among men they hear the same things everlastingly, but women have always something new to say, which is flattering, pleasant, amusing, or irritating perhaps, as they choose. Miss Warburton is on her road back from Fog-land; and. will, stay with her cousin, Miss Ve-ra Fulton, of Welling- i ton Terrace. : ...■'!