Page:"A modern Hercules", the tale of a sculptress (IA amodernherculest00wins).pdf/56

50 From what I have seen so far here, at least $15,000 has been spent on flowers, that will before tomorrow night have lost their fragrance. How many mouths would that feed, in this great, cold, heartless city, throbbing with the agonies of thousands! Ah, well, why should I moralize? I wish to heaven I could write this thing up as I feel, but to do so would be affronting fashion, and anything original regarding modern New York society, would mean my journalistic death."

Her reflections were interrupted by the entrance of Marie Salmon, who extended her hand graciously to Miss Winters, and said: "You are the representative of the Tattler?"

"I am," said Miss Winters.

"The hostess of the evening presents her compliments to you, and begs that you will excuse her personal presence. She has delegated me to act for her in giving you what you desire for your paper."

"She could not have selected a substitute who would have better pleased me," said Olivia, with perfect grace and self-possession.

"You are very good to say so," said Marie. "Here you will find a list of the invited guests. In this package is a cut of the host and hostess, as well as a picture of her diamonds. She informs me that she has already sent photos of some of the more striking decorations. In this envelope will be found a complete description of the costumes of the ladies. The number of carriages you will be able to procure from the ushers as you go out. She thinks it not advisable to say anything specific about the enormous amount of money spent on the affair, owing to newspaper talk about the terrible poverty prevalent in the