The Irish standard., 1908-05-02

day; sentiment. frolic, pathos: when
This Cruel War Is Over" Ever of
Thee" "The Maidens Prayer"
Champagne Charley" Last Ditch
Polka" the last two accompanied by
q soft tapping all along under the
table.
Sally B. sat opposite Stella, her eyes
seemingly on all the walters at once,
yet she found time for the guests and
their conversation.
A slight commotion at the door ar.
rested the attention of the guests.
There came a gust of subdued yet
excited Chinese chatter, a pause, and
the entrance Of two men carrying a
towering white pagoda, I"rmounted by
the word God" in huN gilt letters.
With some difficulty the 1 gary struc.
ture was safely landed in the center
of the table, and Vic Wah and his as.
sistants withdrew to the cover of the
doorway, where Stella saw the cook
peeping expectantly through. 1t was
his master tribute to the occasion.
An instant of silence followed; then
an infectious snicker ran around the
table, in spots breaking into an actual
laugh.
Stella saw Vic Wins eyes open
wide with establishment and question;
yet in breath they cleaned with
anger. His face went livid, and he
hurried away.
But Sally B. saved the moment. my
cook set up all night to make that
cake Mr.. Crocker; please don't
taught" she whispered past the two
Intervening guests.
At once the host rose, and taking
his cue from her anxious face, pro.
posed toast to "The Cake and tho
Cook" that was responded to with
hearty cheers. Vic Wah entered,
bowed, and retired with beamine
zaee.
The toastmaster now raped for
order. The conversation and laughter
ceased, the soft rustic of serving and
eating hushed, and the speeches be.
gan.
Mr.. Crocker spoke first, to the gen.
eral topic: "The Railroad" He told
the story of its inception and progress,
paying tribute to Theodore T. Judah,
to the men who furthered the under.
taking in congress and legislature, to
all the officers, especially to Mr.. Greg
ory; and closed with neat compli-
ment to Alfred. Stella ever so gently
pressed his arm with her own; but the
woman on the other side smiled allur.
ingly into his face, and pouted at her
uncle.
Uncle Charley didn't say half
enough about you," she whispered, yet
Stella heard it.
II shall tell him he has left his debt
OF gratitude for me to liquidate,' the
beauty continued. "Or-or can pay
Uncle Charley's scores?" she ques-
toned in mock humility, leaning to-
ward Alfred till her breath brushed
his cheek. Perhaps my coin is not
current in your market"
OF course, he had to meet her badin.
age. She meant her coin should be
current with him, and above par; and
he would have been Ice had he entire.
ly escaped the spell of her witcheries.
Several speeches followed, among
them Mr.. Ludlow's memorable toast,
"The Pacific Railroad, the Beautiful
Belt of the Union, with California as
the Golden Buckle
At the close of the banquet Stella
escaped through a door; and from
cover of darkness watched knots of
men gather and dissolve about Miss
Hamilton; marked her every motion
and speech; noted her vivacity, her
perfect grace, her quick smile; saw
f1attered Alfred's ready response as
she appealed to him prettily for fact
or confederation of her own assertions.
The little court melted away at last.
Mr.. Crocker was buttonholed by Mr..
Gregory and led off, Viola disap.
peared; and Sally B. was already rush.
Ing the transformation that must pre-.
cede the five o'clock breakfast.
When the radiant two were alone
Stella saw Miss Hamilton's animation
fade in a breath; saw her pale and
tremble and lift pathetic little face
to Alfred. And Stella marvelled at
the heroism that had kept the girl
keyed SO long to her role. However
artificial Miss Hamilton's manner
might have been before Stella recog.
nized the significance of the dropped
mask Here was perfect honesty, and
the sweet appeal of pain courageously
borne. How could Alfred resist it, or
her trust in him, her beauty, all the
subtle intimateness of the moment?
"Oh, Mr.. Vincent. I've nearly died
this last hour she said unsteadily.
Wont you please find Uncle Charley
as soon as you CAM"
He made some quiet reply Stella did
not hear, and fastened to the door,
returning quickly to say that Mr..
Crocker had gone with Mr.. Gregory,
no one knew where. "You must let
me carry you to your room. Sally
B."
"Oh, no! I'm too heavy! I'm such
a big girl" Miss Hamilton inter.
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