Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-04-08
MY FIRST EVENING ATTHE CLUB

Edward, your election to the noble
brotherhood Of which / am a member
took place last evening. Will you ac.
cept my best congratulations 2"
Eilers!ey Whyte entered my chambers
one afternoon with the above announce
mcnt. Languidly reclining upon my
lounge, half rose from the recumbent
position and, taking Ellersley's out
stretched hand, asked him to repeat his
remark, as l had been threc-q quarters
asleep when l heard it.
Ny friend complied. 1 may as we'll
state, entrenous, dear reader, that had
heard, with thrill Of the i.tensest JOY,
every worl Of Ellcrsley's greeting the
first time that he utteredit. But, among
men of fashion, anything that resem-
bles emotion il grossierete-a vulgari-
ty. u nonsense; besides, had another
reason for concealiug NV satisfaction at
having been created a member of the
L Club, and that reason was pride
| had lived So long among fashionable
circles. without enjoying the honor. that
was unwilling Ellersley Whyte should
See how highly l valued it,
Thank YOU for coming to tell me,
my dear fellow" / drawled. lazily. in re.
ply to the repetition of my friends most
welcome announcement. Its quite a
surprise. really. Chctwynde mentioned
my having been proposed. the other
day. but | had completely forgotten the
matter, | assure you"
Ellersley Whyte smiled a little odd
". Perhaps he was keen enough to
penetrate my mask of Indifference; bu,
he only remarked, walking toward the
door:
And now that nv message is dcliv-
cred, Edward. must leave you for an
engagement further uptown. Blythe.
way," he continued, Holmes and Frs
kline and Morlaud, and a half-dozeu
other men, want you to be round ut the
club tonight. if You can spare an hour
or SO. At about eleven, they said. Can
YOU manage it -
Il think So" was my reply. "Yes
they can depend on me. VIII you be
there Z"
"Yes. An reroir."
IA rsror."
At eleven o'clock precisely I entered
the modest but elegant club-buildins
in-th Street. with a feeling of de.
lishtful triumph that cannot recall in
these advanced years of mine without 8
smile at the foolish ambitions I used
then tocherish SO fondly. The one socia
distinction which had SO long coveted
was, l thought, mine at last.
Out of the MANY who would have sac
riticed So much for the honor of calling
themselves members of the L Club
l had enjoyed the compliment of being
chosen. 1t was very pleasant ant
hattering truth to reflect upon. But
had little time for reflection just then
George Erskine, one of the friends VIII,
had been most Jealous III obtaining M,
election. met me as entered the larg
and handsome hall of the building.
'.Ah. Stcrnforth," he said. advancin,
and taking my hand cordially in his, -
am delighted to find that you have S
soon assumed the rights OF membership
Come into the c:ard-room; YOU will fin,
a host of old friends there"
found most of those assembled il
the card room. as il was called, ME
with whom l had long been on variou
terms of intimacy or Acquaintance
They all appeared glad TO see me-al
treated me with a mixture of eordialit
. and courtesy which was very fiatterin
to my self-love and to my new sense Q
Importance.
While Istoodamong a knot Of friends
and shared in the conversation that en-
J gagged them. Give Erskine touched M
) on the shoulder, saying:
: Il have secured n vacant card.tabls
} Sternforth. VIII you be NV partner i
. game of whist against Holmes an
Rivers 2"
l Willingly" I said. Erskire, I We
! knew, was accounted one Of the bes
. Whist players in his circle and I coul