River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-03-23

~ ySf so be Ssis 81. By
==s$ETFllEys HERE were
6: 81: IS: &: ::: s: s: s:
the old gentleman who sat in the cor
ner of the room and was always read
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. \ second was old
Mrs. Mccullough. who played excel
lently, but never could be utterly deaf
to the claims Of the outside world
The third was Mr.. Richmond, a sue
cessful lawyer, something over fifty,
with clOsely-cut iron gray hair, quick,
keen eyes, a manner which very likely
bad been nervous, but was now only
incisivc. and au utterly absorbed at
tcntiOu To the matter in hand People
said Richmond had had "a disapPoint-
ment 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
ner, and Just At present she CROPPED
under such cloud of disaPprovai that
IL would have been a relief to have es-
capped notice altogether She was
silent. smooth. unassertive. unmarried
woman, whose game Mr.. Mccullough
had trained, trimmed and pruned. ic
season and out of season, until, as
matter of self-preservation. she learned
To play better than he.
I;ut it was owing to her flat Mr.. Me-
Cullough now fdSeted in his chair and
glared at a nine-spOt as IL each club on
its surface We're a weapon of assassiua-
tiOn. II was but eight o'clock in tine
evening, and She was playing only till
the stage came TO take her TO the train
on which she was to leave-break up the
game and leave. No wonder that Mr.
Mccullough was almost speeches.
with rage. No wonder that Mrs. Me-
Cullough fatally wandered. SO that she
mistooE a xnave for ug and pulled
in her opponents trick. Even Mr..
ANAEuul0Dus WHO HtaEEEAN hlANN HOW
Miss Selwyn looked, SO rarely nc 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, ''sincc when a lznave has
been advanced 10 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 a free gift.
of course it is impossible to be even
dccently attentive in the midst of such
willful disturbance, remarked Mr.. Nc
Cullough.
IF IL were not a ease OF illness
began Miss Selwyn, apOlogetically.
People have no business to be ILL.,"
snapped Mr.. Mccullough.
DO you suppose Susan viii be able
TO get there. too?' asked Mrs. McCul-
Tough.
Il hope so. returned Miss Sclwyn.
Come, cOIle. Charlotte" exclaimed
Mr.. Mccullough; for heavens sase
let Us 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 appreheusive pleasure.
II really did" returned young Stew
ems. lin the hall. knew how strained
the situation would be TO night, aud rs
IL is my last evening ! wanted il to he
peaceful. They might have asked one
of US IL take i hand
Il wouldn't have done il, " said Julia,
firmly
Yes. YOU would, you poor lamb, or
would have taken your place and lost
my temper. can get along with your
uncle anywhere but at the whist table. "
One Of the hotel servants came TO the
dOOr-the 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:
1--WE may have TO play with dummy
There isn't q soul in the house that
can play" sighed 5Irs. Mccullough.
Richmond rose to 80 with Miss Selwyn
to the door.
He put her in tho carriage and r.
turned. Not a word had been spoken.
lie walked resllsssly tn a bookcase
aud read the titles The old man in
the corner buried himself deeper in his
pages: the young girl and her cOmpau-
ion became more involved IN winding
worsted. Mrs. Mccullough serted her
hand mechanically. Mr.. Mccullough
drummed On the table and looked ready
To burst with rage II was as if nature
were preparing for a cataclysm-
suddenly they all. except the reader.
looked M \ woman stood in the door
way fne-lOoking though not
Young woman. Her gray hair rose
straight from her handsome forehead;
her clear complexion was little
flushed, but she spoke with perfect
scIf-possession-
Il saw the notice pinned zap in the
hail. she said. i aTa a good whist
player. Would Won like To have me
make up the hand?"
IOung stevens rose with a side
glance at Julia. who looked a little
scared
Pinned up in the halle repeated ola
Mr.. Mccullough doubtfully.
Yes She said distinctly. with
swift glance that took in all the occu-
pants Of the room; ''the notice saying
that there We're three whist players in
the east card room who wanted a fourth
at quarter past eight. Only good
PLAYERS need apply
Richmond glanced at the young man
with certain severity. behind which
was CLEAN Of amusement, and came
toward the card table
Il" began young stevens; bu; II 1