Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-03-17

N(WS4S>S SHN z V& 7GM7tS tSoIssss,xss''bi Iss xss'bssi ,:of by STEf HERE were N%st ssIE only three peo- |Ft@4lpFH s:s9ss s's ;? sss ,S3% sns whist players 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 Mir. Mccullough, to whom whist was the business of life. A 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 Mir, Richmond, a sue cessful lawyer, something over fifty, with closely-cut iron gray hair, quick, keen eyes, manner which very likely had been nervous, but was now only incisive, and an utterly absorbed at- tention to the matter in hand. People said Richmond had had a disappoint- ment in love, which had kept him bachelor and perhaps encouraged tEe 'A"''N oA HbNOt i'llOiI ldCJ "h1Cn 'aused Julia Mccullough and young Stevens 10 regard him with deep and respectful sympathy. The fourth player was old Mir. McCullough's pai t. ner, and just at present she groped under such cloud of disupproval that 1t would have been n relief to have cs- capped notice altogcthcr. She was a silent, smooth, unassertive, unmarried woman, whose game Mir. Mccullough had trained, trimmed and pruned, ir season and out of season, until, as n matter Of Sclf-prcscrvation, she learned to play better than he.
 But it was owing to her that Mr. Me Cullough now fidgctcd in his chair and glared at ninc-spot as if each club on it's surface were weapon of assassina- tion. It 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-breall up the game and leave. No wonder that Mir. Mccullough was almost spccchless with rage. No wonder that Mrs. Mc- Cullough fatally wandered, so that she mistoolS a llnave for king and pulled in her opponents trick. Even Mir Richmond, who scarcely knew how A'HN NNAN u lCoIhCNl, Sp IIECly ne ralScu is eyes from the table, felt that her conduct was injurious.
 May be permitted to inquire, Char '9ttc," asked Mir. Mccullough, in an .wful voice, "since when a lnave has
 e'n advanced to the distinction of king n king of the same suit?" 'Gr&cious!' admit ted Mrs. MlCul- ou',h, pushing the cards to Miss Sel- wyn, who was 50 cowcd Ey the uni e sal dis;tpproval that she received hem us free gift
 'Of course it is impossible to be even ice nly attentive in the midst of such wi}lCTl disturbance" remarked MT. Me Cullouth
 'If it were not case of illness"- began Miss Solwyn, apologetically. "People have no business to be i'll, ' snapped Mir. Mccullough.
 Do you suppose Susan will be able to get there, too?" asked Mrs. McCul- | tough.
 "I hope so," returned Mis-, Selwyn. Come, come, Charlotte!" exclaimed Ir. Mccullough; flor heavens sake .et us play while we can!"
 Jllia Mccullough and young Stevens | were talking in low tones behind the screen
 "DiA you really pin it up?" asked Julia, with comprehensive pleasure.
 ''l really did," returned young Stew Nns, "i1 the hall knew how strained the situation would be to night, and as lt Is my last evening I wanted it to be nc"cetul They m ght have asked one ,f Us to take a hand"
 "! wouldn't have done it," said Julia, firmly.
 Yes, you would, you poor lamb, or l would have taken your place and lost my temper. can get along with your uncle anywhere but atthe whist tab e '
 One of the hotel servants came to the door-the stage was leaving Miss Se'wyn rose, looking ready to cry. Tn" cards had just been dealt.
 "I am very sorry" she said.
 " orry" growlcd MT. Mccullough ''w' may have to play with a dummy!
 "1hcre isn't q soul in the house thai can play" sighed Mrs. Mccullough
 itichluond rose to go with Miss Selwyr to the door
 He put her in the carriage and re turned. Not a word had been spoken
 He walked restlessly to a bookcase und read the titles The old man ir the corner buried himself deeper in hi. pages; the young girl and her compan
 ion became more involved in winding
 worsted. Mrs. Mccullough serted hcl
 hand mechanically. MT. Mccullough
 drummed on the table and looked ready to burst with rage. It was as if natur, ) were preparing for a cataclysm.
 Suddenly they all, except the reader
 looked up. A woman stood in the door '