Evening star., 1899-06-24

was sent on his wedding trip with a purse
filed with contributions from the club.
The club turned out en- masse for the we'd
ding of any one of their number, and with
theSame breath that deplOred its loss
wished the groom joy.
II a man were so fortunate as to obtain
the forty-nine votes-for there was never
more than one vacancy-and became in
itiated into this ideal club, his happiness
was assured. All that was demanded was
that every member should be present at
the biennial dinner. 1t kept them in touch.
and was. besides. an institution of the club.
1t was a great affair this dinner To it
gathered all the clubs sons, keen-eyed
politicians from Vienna. London and Wash
ingtOn. brown-skinned hunters from Africa
and India. stolid explorers from the far
north, gllb-tongued nOvelists from New
York and Paris, nervous, high-strung act
ors. or. again, men who were busy doing
nothing
Once every two years they came together
and discussed subjects dear 10 all
After the evening had passed and before
the members dispersed all gathered in the
library and silence reigned as the chief
vandal produced silver loving cup and
filling 1t, said solemnly: The Vandals here
assembled do promise upon their honor to
assist each other in every trial, perpleXity
or trouble. We shall be closer than friends
have ever been before. Most of us have
been tried and tested. Our affection shall
pass the love of brothers. Drink" As
each member drank the toast he pledged
4-4t447Si4 art" III HIS NSNOlIOl " HIS brother
members.
The President of the United States is
great man, is the Car of Russia but
III the eyes of the VandaIs their chief sur
passed any dignitary on earth; to be a
Nandal was a great thing; to be chief van
dal. term that lasted during membership
was the highest honor one could obtain.
At TINS time the chief vandal was Philis-
amay Derric of Maryland. He was dis
tirguished. inasmuch as he had been sent
twice to the Senate and was considered the
best orator in the United States
Phllisdnay was adured by the Vandals;
they fairly made god out of him He was
honest. sincere. enthusiastic, patient of
stupidity and tolerant of cleverness He
had been chief yandal for eight years and
no vandal chief had ever been so popular
and nOw-nOw. it was whispered that he
had become engaged.
He had spent the summer in Brittany.
where he had met some people, and where
he had paid much attention to a certain
Eugenie Hughlet. d young girl from New
Orleans OF good family and standing True
the engagement had not been announced as
yet. but-weH it was worth while to have
ones congratulations ready
Eugenle. once seen, was something not
soon to be forgotten. Her debut created a
furore through the south; her winter in
New York had been much that of a princess
In mOst loyal city; her portrait was ex-
hlbited in all picture galleries. 1t showed
taIl. thin girl, with masses of golden hair
waved back plainly from a beautiful fore
head; big, dark. reddish-brown eyes a del
icate mouth with thin lips. She was clad
In white satin and stood against yellow cur
tains with a large bunch of scarlet and vel
low roses In her hand. You pronounced the
picture stunning before you had seen her
and said. Perfect" with an indrawn
breath; but after you had seen her YOU
We're angry-the picture didn't do her JUS
dce.
She was in New York now and at the
hcme of one OF the Vandals. The VandaIs
WOrShtped her as one man. On the last
Gay of her stay in New York her host. the
Nandai. begged his mother to bring her and
her people that night to dinner TO which
she assented, provided they might come
late and leave early. Anything you like"
he said. only please come
1t was so quickly arranged that Though
all the available Nandals were summoned
they only numbered some twenty odd. and
though Phihsamay had been notified AT Z
when the men gathered there was no sign
of her.
When Mrs. Hughlet and Mrs Frotesque.
her New York hostess, entered, the Vandals
rose. while Joyce, the host for the night.
welcomed them, but when Eugenia followed
them the Vandals moved in body toward
the door Eugenie smiled at the phalanx of
men bearing down upon her.
How do you do?' she said smiling with
both hands extended. How do you do?''
The men crowded round shaking hands
and thanking her for coming.
She bore Ii all very WELL greeting all i'm
partially, and stood unable to advance un-
til a movement behind her enabled her TO
gain seat when the outsiders of her group
welcomed the newcomer. 1t was Philisa-
: may, somewhat nervous, but his own at
tractive self.
After he had greeted the ladies he was
handed from man to man with hearty well