The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-03-18


ing, and Julia Mccullough and Young
Stevens, who were in another corner.
half shielded by the japanese screen.
OF the card players one was old Mr.
Mccullough, to whom whist was the
business of life. A second was old
Mrs. Mccullough. who played excel
-lentiy, INT never could be utterly deaf
TO the claims of the outside world
Tie third was Mr.. Richmond, a sue
cesstul lawyer, something over fifty,
with closcly-cut iron gray hair, quick,
Keen eyes, manner which very likely
mad been nervous, but was now only
lnelsive, and an utterly absorbed at
tention to the matter in hand People
said Richmond had had Il disappoint-
Inent in love, which had kept him a
bachelor and perhaps encouraged tie
habit of absorption fact which
caused Julia Mccullough and young
stevens to regard him with deep and
respectful sympathy. The fourth
player was old Mr.. McCullough's part
ncr, and just at present she rroped
under such cloud of disapproval that
1T would have been 4 relief to have es.
capped notice altogether She was a
silent, smooth, unassertive, unmarried
woman, whose game Mr.. MCCULLOUGH
had trained, trimmed and pruned, ir
season aud out of season, until. as n
matter OF MISREPRESENTATION. she learned
to play better than he.
But it was owing to her that Mr.. Me-
Jnllough now fidgetcd in his chair and
Biared at n nine-spot as if each club on
It's surface were weapon of assassina-
tion. 1t was but eight o'clock in the
evening. and she was playing only till
the stage came to take her TO the train
on which she was TO lcavc-brcall ND the
game and leave. No wonder that Mr..
McCuilough was almost speechlcss
with rage. No wonder that Mrs Me
Cullough fatally wandered, SO that she
mistook a lsnave for king and pulled
in her opponents trick, Even Mr.
Richmond. who scarcely knew how
Miss Selwyn looked, SO rarely he raised
his eyes from the table. felt that her
conduct was injurious
May be permitted to inquire Char
lotto. asked Mr. MCCULLOUGH. in an
awful voice, since when a knavc has
heen advanced to the distinction of
taking king of the same SUITE"
''Gracous!'' admit ted Mrs. Mccall
Tough, pushing the cards to Miss Sell
wyn, who was so cowcd by the uni
vcrsal disapproval that she received
them rs free gift.
"Of course it is impossible TO be even
dccently attentive in the midst of such
willfnl disturbance, remarked Mr.. Me-
Cullough.
III 1t were not case of ilness"-
began Miss Sclwyn. apologetically.
People have no business to be iii. "
snapped Mr.. Mccullough.
do you suppose Susan will he able
to get there, too?" asked Mrs. McCul-
Tough
Il hope So" returned Miss Selwyn.
Come, come, Charlotte-' exclaimed
Mr. McCullough; "for heavens sake
let lis play while we cam"
Julia Mccullough and young Stevens
were talking in low tones behind the
screen.
Did you really pin it up" asked
Julia, with apprehensive pleairrc.
II really did," returned young Stcy-
ems, lin the hall | knew how strained
the situation would be tonight, and as
1t IS my last evening | wanted it to be
peaceful. They might have asked one
OF us TO take n hand"
81 wouldn't have done it," said Julia,
firmly.
YES, YOU would, you poor lamb, or
would have taken your place and lost
my temper can get along with your
'ncle anywhere but at the whist table"
One of the hotel servants came to the
door-tne stage was leaving. Miss
Selwyn rose, looking ready to cry.
The cards had just been dealt
Il am very sorry" she said
Sorry growlcd Mr.. Mccullough;
I'VE may have to play with n dumrnvr
There isn't Il soul in the house that
can play" sighed Mrs. Mccullough.
Richmond rose to go with Miss Sclwyn
To the door
lie put her in the carriage and re-
turned. Not IL word had been spoken.
He walked restlessly to a bookcase
and read the titles. The old man in
the corner buried himself deeper in his |
pages; the young girl and her compan-
ION became more involved in winding
worstcd. Mrs. Mccullough serted her
hand mechanically. Mr.. Mccullough
drummed on the tai bic and looked ready |
to burst with rage. II was as if nature
were preparing for cataclysm
Suddenly they ALL except the reader,
looked up. a woman stood in the door |
way = iine-lool,ing though not a
y"Hng woman. Her gray hair rose
straight from her handsome forehead:
her clear complexion was Il little
flushed. hut she spoke with perfect
sclf-posscssion.
II saw the notice pinned up in the
hall" She said. Il am n good whist
player. Would yon like to have me
make up the hand?"
Young Stevens rose with side
glance at Julia. who looked little
scared