The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-10-21
THE EXCLUSIVE CLUB.


Edward, your election to the noble
brotherhood of which am member took
place last evening. Will you accept my
best congratulations"
Henry Ellersley entered my chambers
one afternoon with the above announce
ment. Languidly reclining upon my
| lounge half rose from the recumbent po-
sition, and taking EIlersley's outstretched
hand asked him to repeat his remark, as 1
had been three-quarters asleep when /
heard it.
Ny friend complied. / may as well state,
dear reader, that heard with 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. 1 had lived so long
among fashionable circles without enjoy
ing the honor that / was unwilling Hen
~ Ellersley should see how highly
valued it.
THANK you for coming to tell me, my
dear fellow" l drawled lazily in reply to
the repetition of my friends most welcome
announcement. Its quite a 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 he only remarked,
walking toward the door: And now that
my message is delivered, Edward, must
leave you for an engagement elsewhere.
BY the way" he continued, Holmes and
Erskine and Moreland, and half dozen
other men, want you to be round at the
club tonight, if you can spare an hour or
so. At about II, they said. Can you man.
age ftp"
81 think So" was my reply. Eyes, they
can depend on me. Will you be thereW
Eyes Au revoir."
eau revoir."
At II o'clock precisely entered the ele-
CANT club house in Pail Mall, with feel
ing of delightful triumph that 1 cannot re-
call in these advanced years of mine with
out a smile at the foolish ambitions used
then to cherish so fondly. The one social
distinction which / had so long coveted
was, L 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. 1t was a very pleasant and fatter-
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 acquaint-
ance. They all appeared glad to see me
all treated me with mixture of cordiality
and courtesy which was very fattering to
my self love and to my new sense Of i'm
pOrtance.
While 1 stood among knot of friends,
and shared in the conversation that en-
gagged them, George Erskine touched me
on the shoulder, saying: II have secured a
vacant card table, Sternforth. Will you
be my partner in game of whist against
Holmes and Rivers?"
Willingly" i said. Erskine, 1 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, ito introduce me to Mr.. Rivers.
We are not acquainted"
A few minutes later the introduction took
place, and lively and interesting game
was entered upon. The stakes were high,
and although l was practiced player my
luck seemed quite marvellous. Weakly as
sisted by Erskine 1 easily won the first
three games.
As the deal was made by Rivers at the
beginning of the fourth game happened
carelessly to glance at him. His features
were of that mobile kind on which the pas
sions or emotions of the elmer man" are
easily portrayed. / read on them to my
intense surprise the profoundest contempt,
mixed with an apparently almost ungov-
ernable anger. He returned my glance
with fierce expression in his deep black,
Spanish sort of eyes, that was far from
pleasing to me. 1t was the kind of look
which no gentleman cares about receiving
from another
My blood rose on the instant. Was it
possible that he suspected ne of foul
play? What could have done to merit
this most singular indignation, tacitly ex-
pressed, it is true, but none the less evil
dent
"Oblige me by explaining" I said, in a
voice that thoroughly controlled the annoy
ance l felt, ''the cause of your somewhat
peculiar demeanor toward me, Mr.. Rivers.
/ am reluctant to believe that any mis-
understanding should have occurred be-
tween us, butt
To my CONSERVATION he interrupted me
with a sneer and a contemptuous wave of
the hand in my direction.
'Sternforth need not assume with me
the manners of an injured party. ] have
played whist too often not to detect
swindling, especially when so palpable
and open as his. The manners of low
gambling houses have been up to the
present time, believe, wholly foreign to
the card tables Of the Exclusive club. l
regret that one whom | believed to be
gentleman should have introduced them
this evening"
l was on my feet now with clinched
hands, and face that must have been
CHASTITY with half smothered rage.
do you dare to ASSERT began, but
passion choked me, and the cold, sneering
tones of Rivers continued: