The Irish standard., 1902-12-20

Nhl.NANALIA1 VIA
compelled to make Il western trip or
important business. fles,or was de-
lighted to hear from Sidney liam
mond, and at once arranged Il theater
and supper party in his honor.
A party of eight occupied the Hes
tor box at the opera and Thoroughly
enjoyed LA Boheme." Walter T.
lIestor and Miss Edith lie Roy; Sid
ney Hammond and Miss Olive, his
sister; Mr.. Converse and Miss DE
Nruville; Mr.. Blake and Miss Mere
dith, constituted the merry group,
. which at the conclusion of the opera,
J mingled in the fashionable mob, and
after the usual delays aud annoy
;,nces found themselves in carriages
speeding toward Fifth avenue.
+, There was IL crush of carriages in
front of Delmnnico'S. 1T was the
night hour when New York attains
the height of its feyerish activity.
! The avenue was ali,e with swift-mnv-
ing rquipages. .\n army of lackeys
was busy rpceiv:ng the arriving
guests. Inside the massive doors. the
strains of an orchestra throbbed in
! an air of heavy perfume. The glare
of light from thousands of electric
globes WAS reflected from, glass and
marble. but snhd"rd by palms and
masses OF roses.
! \ table had been reserved for Mr..
llestor and his guests-braHe in its
array of linen and flowers, and its
glitter OF cut glass. AS Mr.. itrstor
entered the hall he was recognized
by scores of friends and for Il few
moments held an impromptu rrccp-
tion.
When this social duty was ended,
Miss Edith lie l.oy took prompt
! charge of certain cictnils;-as was the
wont of this vivacous young woman.
Mr.. Hestor had seated himself next
to Sidney Hammond. Miss l." Roy
had no idea of conscnting to such an
arrangement
''You are the host, Mr.. llestor,"
head of the table. Miss Meredith
will sit at your right, and Mr.. Ham
mond will take his place next to her.
l am not going /" permit you and
Mr.. Hammond to monopolize each
others conversation. | can trust you,
Miss Meredith, to keep Sidney and
Walter from entering into amy dis
cussion of their dreary schemes for
rrconstructing the universe"
The dinner went on merriiy amid
Il general conversation in which a
limitlcss number of topics We're in
troduced, discussed, and dismissed
Terrapin followed houillon, and can
vas back ducks were served with some
rare old Burgundy. The spacious
dining halls bad in the meantime be-
come crowded. aud the orchestra en-
countrred noisy rival in the laugh
ter and conversation which mingled
, in a harmonious blend from hun
tlrcds oi tables. Dainty preparations
of shell fish gave place to Il salad
, followed by a glace, which Miss Lt
Roy pronounced 50 dream in ole
rose" While the ladies' discussed
honbons. the gentlemen lit cigars OF
. ciyaret tes. and wooetl the god of Mic
ctinc with all the nrtlor which fol
lows the enjoyment of so sumptuo,E
) Il repast.
While Miss lie Roy was cnergeti
: callv defending her favorite Frencl
. author from an attack unwttingly
{ made by Mr.. Blake. her plans so care
T. fully arranged at the opening of th'
l dinner were disrupted by Sidne,
: Hammond, who readily persuaded
+ Miss Meredith t" change places will
: him, Miss lie Roy smiled her scorl
1 when she discovered this duplicit,
$ and promptly announced &ocia
e boycott against the ungallant llesto
t and Hammond. who already were ah
g sorbcd in a quiet conversation on
d topic which seemed OF special inter
:; est to them.
# Sidney Hammond was collie"
y mate of Walter llestor. He was ih
e stroke oar in the famous crew whic
$ humhed tbs pride of the rival uni
vcrsity. l'nlikc many Of the athlcti
heroes of the Institutions of learn
ing, Hammond combined the frame o
Il muscular Apollo with he braiu o
the scholar. He was even more Il her
with the professors tl,an ON the can
pus. The text and reference book
prescribed in TIE curriculum serve
hut to stim,ar his thirst for l.,
search Though HhtinAHntly ahi,
through the generosity OF his fathc
to enter into all of the pleasures c
the gi!tcd class, hr performed th
rarr feat Of r~maiM;tt% Il s,icjipu3 IT
c!nsr and retaining his popularit.
During the years spout in coiics
he was an intellectual and physic;
machine. seemingly incapable of me,
tai or bodily fatigue. The fe
friends who rnioNei .hr privilege {
his apartments Io,!nd him the brs
"f hosts. with weii-appointed sid
board and he choicest OF cigars. Z:
~ crpt on, rare uccasions Hammond Iii
not permit these social rela Natons
@. in,r,le ON his time. and his fricnt
a grew to know just how long sidne
is would tolerate their company
in preference" TO his books.
w Hcstor slipped II glass of wine
st knocked the ashes from his ciga
in and extended an cnamclcd cigar ca
TO. Hammond.
IT.. "llow Ion" does our famous co
rk respondent intend to remain in Ne
rs. York;" asked Sidney Hammond. $
IS must seem duh here after what y,
cd have been through"
.tS eft .,npu n,nI IL, m lnrA' y rrnl;