The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-04-04

| oSi VI VIC Aooiu dHu was always rea0
ing, and Julia Mccullough and youn,
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 tn,
business of life. A second was ok
Mrs Mccullough. who played. excel
lently, bnt never could be utterly dea
to the claims Of the outside world
The third was Mr.. Richmond, a sue
cessful lawyer. something over fifty
with ciosely-cut iron gray hair, quick
keen eyes, a manner which very likely
had been nervous, but was now ONLY
lncisive, and an utterly absorbed at
tention to the matter in hand. People
said Richmond had had a disappoiut-
ment In love, which had kept him a
bachelor and perhaps encouraged tie
habit of absorption-a fact which
caused Julia Mccullough and young
Stevens TO regard him with deep and
respectful sympathy. The fourth
player wa old Mr.. McCullough's part
ner. and just at present she Rroped
under such cloud of disapproval that
1t would have been a relief to have es-
capped notice altogether. She was a
silent, smooth, unassertive, unmarried
woman, whose game Mr.. Mccullough
had trained, trimmed and pruned. ie
season and out of season, until, as a
matter of self-preservation, she learned
to play better than he.
But it was owing to her that Mr.. Nc
Cullough now fidgeted in his chair and
glarod at nine-spot as if each club on
its surface were a weapon of assassina-
ton. 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 leave-break I'D the
game and leave. No wonder that Mr..
Mccullough was almost speechless
with rage. No wonder that Mrs. Nc
Cullough fatally wandered, SO that she
mistook knave 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
lotte, asked Mr.. Mccullough, in an
awful voice. ''since when a knave has
been advanced to the distinction of
taking king of the same suit?"
'Gracious!" admit ted Mrs. McCul.
Tough, pushing the cards to Miss Sell
wyn. who was SO cowed BY the uni
versal disapproval that she received
them as free gift
"Of course it is impossible to be even
dccently attentive in the midst of such
willful disturbance, remarked Mr.. Nc
Cullough.
IF it were not case of illness~-
began Miss Selwyn. alphabetically.
People have no business to be i'll, Z"
Mr.. Mccullough.
do you suppose Susan will be able
to get there, tooY" asked Mrs McCul-
Tough.
Il hope So" returned Miss Selwyn.
Come, come, Charlotte! exclaimed
Mr.. Mccullough; ''for heavens sake
let US play while we camp
Julia Mccullough and young Stevens
were talking in low tones behind the
screen.
did you really pin it up?" asked
Julia, with apprehensive pleasure.
Il really did," returned young Stew
ms, 'in the hall l knew how strained |
he situation would be tonight, and as
t is my last evening 1 wanted it to be
They might have asked one
If us to take hand"
81 wouldn't have done it." said Julia,
irmly.
Yes, you would, You poor lamb, or
would have taken your place and lost
ny temper. l can get along with your
lncle anywhere but at the whist table"
One of the hotel servants came to the
ioor-the stage was leaving. Miss
'elwyn rose, looking ready to cry.
The cards had just been dealt
II am very sorry" she said.
"Sorry!" growled Mr. Mccullough;
we may have to play with dummy
There isn't soul in the house that
an play" sighed Mrs. Mccullough.
richmond rose togo with Miss Selwyn
o the door.
He put her in the carriage and re-
urned. Not a word had been spoken.
lie walked restlessly to a bookcase
ad read the titles The old man in
he corner buried himself deeper in his
ages; the young girl and her compan-
IN became more involved in winding
Mrs Mccullough serted her
and mechanically. Mr.. Mccullough
on the table and looked ready
burst with rage. 1t was as if nature
'ere preparing for cataclysm-
Suddenly they all. except the reader,
'oked up. A woman stood in the door
-ay - hne-looking though not ;
Dung woman. Her gray hair rose ,
.raight from her handsome forehead;
er clear complexion was little ,
usheo, but she spoke with perfect
Il saw the notice pinned up in the
all" she said. Il am good whist
layer. Would yon like to have me
AXE up the hand?"
Young Stevens rose with a side
lance at Julia, who looked a little
jared.
Pinned up in the hall?" repeated old
II. Mccullough doubtfully.
Yes" she said distinctly, with a
Wifi glance that took in all the occu-
ants of the room; 1.-The notice saying
hat there were three whist players in
lie eastcard room who wanted a fourth {
quarter past eight Only good :
layers need apply"
Richmond glanced at the young man
18th certain severity, behind which !
as CLEAN Of ampsement and came
,ward the card table.
= began young Stevens; but il
as old Mrs. Mccullough who settled
le matter.