TO MIRANDA IN THE COUNTRY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 330, 17 October 1908, Page 11

TO MIRANDA IN THE COUNTRY.

DEAR MIRANDA,—

Apparently everybody but myself is able to get away and rusticate amongst the fruit blossom and the farm folk, and from the present outlook there is little likelihood of even a week or so for me.

At breakfast, Papa was as glum as the poor'lion in our zoological garden. A slump in land—property • at a discount, and the banks calling up thoir overdrafts! It didn't tend to improve or even invite one's appetite. What with PapaYforbidding countenance and Mama's audible sighs, I was glad to slip away quickly, to escape the dismal air of things. My depression, happily, was but little more than momentary, for an hour later I was peering and criticising the new goods and the improvements in tho Economic. Bad times 1 Money tight I I gigled, and wished I could drag Papa in here with me. The store was busy; quite a crowd of people inspecting and buying. It would have done him good—this foolish pere. At present there is a great upheaval going on in this establishment. Enlargements and improvements generally. All the offices, are now on the third floor, which means ample space for the other departments. (I have an idea they, are preparing for a great Christmas fair —nay, a veritable carnival.) Mr. Kersley (who has just arrived from London and Paris) has brought back a truly bewildering avalanche of choice things. There were smart linen frocks in all shades of'blues, pinks, greens, and mauves—tho blouses', with deep tucks and embroideries—so cool and smart for mornings, marked 325. 6d. • Others, in plain zephyrs and stripes, were vory sweet, at 235. 6d.... While tho white lawns, with deep-tucked skirts and blouses, for 15s. 6d., were most recherche. I was in lovo with their white Jap. blouses —these were SO'perfectly, cut that they were conspicuous at' once —som'e with wide tucks, French and silk-buttoned, only 19s. 6d. AVorn with"white washing skirts they look charmingly - simple and effective. The chiffon taffetas shirt-waists were.very delightful, at 19s. 6d. : and one guinea.' I must not overlook a horribly enchanting frock of black and white taffetas. (I say horribly, because I could not be the fortunate purchaser.) The bodice had a. guipure laco yoke, in three deep points—narrow black velvet ribbon forming a fastening for tho loose band' of guipur'o lace that rail from shoulder to shoulder, around the yoke, and 'little velvet pipings peeped out at most unexpected places—the kimono shoulders were. of' the silk, and the under-sleeves of tucked/net and lawn were so quaint. The price of; this is four guineas, arid seemed to me to be, exceedingly cheap. How frequently glimpses .of black aro introduced into one's attire. .Nearly every articlo of Fronch design has this touch, which is really most becoming. - A remarkably dainty race frock in white muslin, smothered in dim blue pin-spots, was. a model of witchery. The .apron-skirt had a. tiny piping of blue silk running from tho front panel, gradually sloping - away to the back, which gave tho effect, ofa. very fine, and dainty border. Tho bodice,.very light and sweet, had a lacy appearance, _ fine silk lace forming the entire front in three widths from shoulder . to shoulder, earning down .to form,, a. V shaped vest. The piping of--blue silk was very sweet on the shoulders, the -small blue silk buttons with cunning little, loops giving an impression of shoulder fastenings. This was marked at four guineas. There is quite a display of race frocks and coats. ■ Pangs of rogret that I could not. buy filled me with wistfulness as I beheld an almost full length copper-coloured Shantung race coat. There was a square, black glace yoke; very, fine threads of gold, green and mauve running around to form a finish. Straight black straps came from the neck down over the shoulders, which clfect was extremely, smart, tho tout, ensemble having a Japanese cfleet. It was rcmarkablo. both in cut and colouring. This now copper tone is really beautiful and intensely becoming to some people. This coat is only 495. 6d.—which surprised me, as it is a French model of Mr. Kersley's choosing. A full-length ivory Sicilian semi-Empire race coat was unusually smart, at four guineas. Dull gold buttons and ivory silk tassels lent a particular charm to it. (Oh, Miranda! things of beauty aro sometimes things of pain—we loug and cannot get, but see some other girl radiant in them!) ' For motoring or driving, I camo upon a cream Sicilian for 395. 6d. It was long and full and very smart—and within nearly everyone's'reach. (I may buy—but am not sure —will see at dinner how papa ' looks. After all. breakfast is not tho most happy meal of the day with business folk!) There is a positive crazo for embroidered skirts and blouses. I saw a pretty girl in

one of these only this morning, and she waa charming—so girlish- and simple, which reminds me : of one I saw in the Eco'nomic's window a. little earlier—quite inexpensive, and they launder so splendidly! Betty came to town on Wednesday—unexpectedly ! She.camo in upon us during dejeuner—the whirlwind! ' Such- a surprise I Seems my last letter regarding the dainties at tho Economic, and whole discourse on my peregrinations turned her little brown curled head —the mischief! She had 'eome to buy' and look and long, and, this finished, sha flew homeward again; charmed and delighted —the brat! Now, here's a wire from Elfrida:—"Please put mo up. ' Coming to clothe and bedeck. Arrive express to-night." : ' Imagine the next few days! And pity me —Elfrida has unquenchable. longings and a bi§ purse, and is never tired! And everything novel to her! An account later —in the , meantime (The boll! Verily I believe it is tho carrier from the Economic with x tho copper Shantung, coat —must confess, I told them' to send on approval! Wonder, really, how papa will look at dinner! So much depends I) Regards. " GEM. [P.S. —It IS the carrier—and the coat. I shall havo to start all' over'again to tell papa how young ho keeps—the marvel!—G.] 7344