Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-01-22

compelled to make a western trip on
important business. Hestor was de-
lighted to hear from Sidney Ham
mond, and at once arranged a 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 b.
Hestor and Miss Edith LIE Roy; Sid
ney Hammond and Miss Olive, his
sister; Mr.. Converse and Miss De
Melville; Mr.. Blake and Miss Mere
dith, constituted the merry group,
which at the conclusion of the opera,
mingled in the fashionable mob, and
after the usual delays and annoy
ances found themselves in carriages
speeding toward Fifth avenue.
There was a crush of carriages in
front of Delmonico's. 1t was the
night hour when New York attains
the height of it's feverish activity.
The avenue was alive with swift-mov-
ing equipages. An army of lackeys
was busy receiving 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 subdued by palms and
masses of roses.
A table had been reserved for Mr..
Hestor and his guests-brave in it's
array of linen and flowers, and it's
glitter of cut glass. AS Mr.. Hestor
entered the hall he was recognized
by scores of friends and for few
! moments held an impromptu recep-
ton.
When this social duty was ended.
Miss Edith LIE Roy took prompt
charge of certain details-as was the
| wont of this vivacious young woman.
| Mr.. Hestor had seated himself next
| to Sidney Hammond. Miss LIE Roy
had no idea of consenting to such an
| arrangement.
''You are the host, Mr.. Hestor,' y
| she said, land you must take the
| head of the table. Miss Meredith
will sit at your right, and Mr.. Ham
mond will take his place next to her.
am not going to permit you and
Mr.. Hammond to monopolize each
others conversation. I can trust you,
| Miss Meredith, to keep Sidney and
| Walter from entering into any dis
cussion of their dreary schemes for
| reconstructing the universe
The dinner went on merriiy amid
| general conversation in which a
| limitless number of topics were in
PRODUCED, discussed, and dismissed
Terrapin followed bouillon, and can
vas back ducks were served with some
rare old Burgundy. The spacious
| dining halls had in the meantime be-
come crowded, and the orchestra en-
/ countered noisy rival in the laugh
ter and conversation which mingled
in a harmonious blend from hun.
dreds of tables. Dainty preparations
of shell fish gave place to a salad
followed by giace, which Miss LIE
Roy pronounced ga dream in old
rose" While the ladies discussed
bonbons, the gentlemen lit cigars OF
cigarettes, and wooed the god of Mic
otine with all the ardor which fol
lows the enjoyment of SO .sumptuous
I a repast.
4 While Miss LIE Roy, was energeti
cally defending her favorite French
author from an attack unwittingl,
made by Mr.. Blake, her plans so care
fully arranged at the opening of the
dinner were disrupted by Sidney
Hammond, who readily persuaded
Miss Meredith to change places witt
him. Miss LIE Roy smiled her scorI
when she discovered this duplicit,
: and PROMPTLY announced a socia
boycott against the unga1lant Hestel
and Hammond, who already were Ab
soxbed an q quiet conversation on ,