Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-10-23
THE EXCLUSIVE CLUB.

/
Edward, your election TO the nobl
| brotherhood Of which am member tool
place last evening. VIII you accept M
best congratulations"
Henry Ellersley entered my chamber
one afternoon with the above announce
ment Languidly reclining upon my
lounge | half rose from the recumbent pc
sition, and taking Ellersley's outstretchet
| hand asked him to repeat his remark, as
had been three-quarters asleep when
heard it,
My friend complied may as well state
dear reader, that ! beard with a thrill OF
the intensest joy every word of Ellersley's
greeting the first time he uttered it. But
among men Of fashion anything resem.
bling emotion is a vulgarity-a nonsense;
besides had another reason for conceal
ing my satisfaction at having been created
a member of the Exclusive club, and that
reason was pride, | had lived so long
among fashionable circles without enjoy
ing the honor that ! was unwilling Hen
ry Ellersley should see how highly |
valued it,
"Thank you for coming TO tell me, my
dear fellow" | drawled lazily in reply to
the repetition of my friends most welcome
announcement. IT'S quite surprise
really Chetwynde mentioned my having
been proposed the other day. but | had
completely forgotten the matter. assure
you"
Ellersley smiled little oddly Perhaps
he was keen enough to penetrate my mask
of Indifference; but be only remarked
xvalL.i fp.var tb.. Ioar. ,,.,,.. -.
my message is delivered, Edward, must
leave you for an engagement elsewhere.
BY the way" he continued, Holmes and
Erskine and Moreland, and half a dozen
other men, want you TO be round at the
club tonight, if you can spare an hour or
so. A. about II, they said. Can you man
age ity"
Il think so," was my reply Yes, they
can depend on me. VIII you be heres"
''Yes, Au revoir.'
"Au revoir."
At II O'Clock precisely entered the ele-
giant club house in Pail Mail. with feel
ing of delightful triumph that cannot re-
call in these advanced years of mine with
out "A smile at the foolish ambitions used
then TO cherish so foudly The one social
distinction which | had so long coveted
was Thought, mine at last.
Out OF the many who would have sacri-
feed SO much for the honor OF calling
themselves members of the Exclusive club
| had enjoyed the compliment of being
chosen. Ii was very pleasant and flatter-
ing truth TO reflect upon. But | had little
time for consideration just then. George
Erskine, one Of the friends who had been
SO jealous in obtaining my election. met
me as ] entered the large and handsome
hall of the building
"Ah, Sternforth," he said. advancing
and taking my hand cordially in his: II
am delighted to find you have so soon as
sumed the rights Of membership. Come
into the card room You will meet host
of old friends there"
! found most Of those assembled in the |
card room men with whom had long been
on various terms of intimacy or aequaint. |
ance, They all appeared glad to see me-
all trested me with mixture of cordiality |
and courtesy which was very ilattering 70 |
my self love and to my new sense of i'm. !
portance.
While stood among knot of friends |
and shared in the conversation that en- /
gagged them, George Erskine touched me /
ON the shoulder, saying: Il have secured a |
vacant card table, Sternforth VIII You
be my partner in game OF whist against |
Holmes and Riverss"
Willingly" ! said. Erskine. well
knew, was accounted one of the best whist
players in his circle, and could not but
appreciate the compliment conveyed by
his request But you must not forget"
added, TO introduce me TO Mr. Rivers.
We are not acuuninted -
A few minutes later the introduction took
place, and lively and interesting game
WAS entered upon. The stakes were high.
and although | was practiced PLAYER my
luck seemed quite marvellous Weakly as.
sisted by ErsLine | easily won the first
three games.
As the deal was made by Rivers at the
beginning of the fourth game happened
;arelessly to glance at him His features
we're Of that mobile kind on which the pas.
'ions or emotions Of the Inner man. are
EASILY portrayed. | read on them to my
intense surprise the profoundes, contempt
mixed with an apparently almost ungoy.
'rnable anger He returned mv glance
With fierce expression in his deep black.
spanish sort Of eyes, that was far from
pleasing 70 me. 1t was the kind Of look
which no gentleman cares about receiving
rom another
My blood rose on the instant Was il
possible that he suspected me of foul
1lays What could have done to merit
his most singular indignation. tacitIy ex.
pressed. it Is true. but none the less evi.
lent
''Oblige me by explaining" | said. in a
-oice that thoroughly controlled the annoy.
lnee / felt, ''the cause Of your somewhat
peculiar demeanor toward me. Mr.. Rivers.
am reluctant to believe that any mis-
understanding should have occurred be-
ween ~. butt
To my CONSERVATION he interrupted me
With sneer and a contemptuous wave Of
he hand in my direction
Sterntorth need not assume with me
he manners Of an injured party. ] have
liaved whist too often not to detect
especially when 80 nalpable
md open As his. The manners Of low
gambling houses have been up 10 the
present time, | believe, wholly foreign to
he card tables Of the Exclusive club. I /
egnet that one whom ! believed to be a
cent lrmau Eiuu11 hn.-a fr.+.saf1sse.1 81