Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-02-09

Doyle. He had the misfortune to like
it exceedingly. The quantity which he
swallowed under the pressure of Mel
nor's hospitality did not disturb his
head, but it upset all his notions about
drinking. He had never liked liquor,
and beer had appealed to him merely
as a good thing on hot day, but he
fancied that champagne cocktail might
be acceptable at all times and seasons.
1t will not be worth while to describe
the dinner for eight. When Doyle learn
ed that the other four were to be la
dies connected with the theatrical pro-
fession, he had visions of wild revelry
such as he had sometimes read about
in the newspapers. AS n matter of
fact, the dinner was as decorous as it
might have been anywhere that he
could imagine
Still there was plenty of fun. Every
body did or said something clever-ev-
erybody except Bill whose native wit
deserted him because he was all the
time trying to be like the others. Yet
they strove to make him think that he
was very clever indeed, and sometimes,
slightly assisted by the champagne,
they nearly succeeded.
The pretty girl who would have smil-
ed upon Allen smiled radiantly upon
Bill, and by 8 o'clock his heart was like
a redhot coal. Yet he told himself that
he was having the time of his life and
that it was great good fortune to be
with such people and to get a peep into
another and brighter sphere.
He learned that Reeves was not a
| New Yorker. but a speculator from Chi
cago, who had recently made himself
famous by losing vast sum of money.
Reeves did not seem to be worrying
| about his misfortune, and therefore Bill,
who had ideas about fortitude, decided
that he must be truly great man.
These facts were communicated to
Bill by Miss Maynard, the young wom-
an who was making such havoc with
| his affections. She was continually en-
| tightening him on matters pertaining
to important people all of whom SEEM
| ed to be the intimate friends of Melnor
and his guests. Bill judged that he
must accidentally have fallen into one
of the most distinguished companies in
the metropolis
He began to take tremendous inter
est in wealth and luxury, subjects to
which he had previously given only the
| vaguest consideration. If this girl had
talked to him about the irrigation of
the Great American desert, he would
| never have been able to see n grain of
sand thereafter without emotion.
The dinner lasted till half past 0
o'clock, when the party went to a the
alter, arriving when the performance
was more than half over. which seem
ed to Bill a singular extravaganza even
for these fortunate people. After the
theater some one suggested that they
should go and get something to eat
Bill was not accustomed to draw his
.ations quite so often, but he made nc
objection. He did not care where they
went so long as he went with them.
This supper was even more delight
full to Bill than the dinner. He was
less conscious of his own awkward
ness. and he had almost entirely ac
customed himself to the idea thai
somebody else was paying for every
thing. This had strongly oppressed
him at first for Bill had always had 6
magnificent liberality; but, as he after
ward expressed it, with 50 in his peck
ct in that crowd he simply had to b,
a bum"
There was one incident of the suppe
which impressed Bill particularly. MI
Reeves received note, and the DO.
who brought it said he had been on In
trail since q o'clock
AS Reeves took the envelope in hi
hand the eyes of the young woman be
side him fell upon it. Bill saw her fac
suddenly flush.
That's from Mile Leavitt" sh
cried.
"You are mistaken. my friend" re
piled Reeves gently, and he made
movement as if to put the note into hi
pocket unopened.
The girl snatched 1t out of his han
and sprang up. Bits common sens
told him that this scene was half jes
, yet he viewed it with awful attentio
as a revelation of the nnermost part
: of high life.
Its from Mile, and I'm going
read it." exclaimed the girl, and sh
tore an end of the envelope.
81 beg you not to do So" said Reeves
/ at is not from woman"
- The girl wavered. Evidently he
t sense of honor would not permit her
2 read the note, yet her jealousy demand
ed something.
'If can't read it," she said, me
} Their shall you. I'll burn it,"
'If you cannot take my word for 1t
e said Reeves gently, you may do whi
D pleases you"
She seized a burning taper which ha
10 been put upon the table for the col
]. yenience of the gentlemen. who wei
u smoking, and set a corner of the e.
g yelope alight. Reeves did not move
q muscle.
Suddenly the girl clutched the bur
ID ing paper in her hand, extinguishir
If the fame, and then she threw the e
in velope down in front of Reeves.
o. "Thank you" said he. and was aga
ot about to pocket the note when the gil
with tears in her eyes. whispere
ID "Please let me read 1t, Johnny"
ly He nodded, and she pounced up'
ye the letter like kitten. The next
h. slant she screamed so loudly that 4
IN hero of Manila and all the others e
cept Reeves sprang up in alarm.