Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-09-16
A FORCED LEAD.

the room besides the 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
Mr.. Mccullough, TO whom whist was
the business of life. A second was
old Mrs. Mccullough. who played
excellently. but never could be utterly
deaf TO the claims Of the outside
world The third was Mr.. Richmond.
successful lawyer. something over
80. with closely-cut, iron-gray hair,
quick, keen eyes. a manner which
very likely had been nervous. but
was now only inclsiye. and an utterly
absorbed attention 10 the matter in
hand. People said Richmond had
had disappointment Ia love. which
had kept him bachelor and perhaps
encouraged the habit OF absorption
a fact which caused Julia Mccullough
and young stevens 20 regard him with
deep and respectful sympathy. The
fourth player was old MIR McSnl-
lough's partner. and just al present
she CROPPED under such a cloud OF
disapproval that Il would have been
a relief 10 have escaped notice alto.
gcther. She was silent. smooth.
unAsscyiiye, unmarried woman. whose
game Mr.. Mccullough had trained
trimmed and pruncd In season and
out u scason until. rs d matter o.
soli-preseryation. she had learned 10
play better than he.
But Il was owing 10 her that Mr..
Mccullough now iidge;ed In his chair
and glared al a ninc.spot as IL each
club on It's surface were "A weapon Of
assassination. IL was but < o'clock
"a the evening. and she was playing
only till the stage came 20 take her
TO the train on which she WAS 20
leave break up the game and leave.
No wonder Mr. Mccullough was
almost sperchlcss with rage No
wonder that Mrs. Mccullough fatally
wandered. 80 that shc mistook a
kuaye for king and pulled in her
I opponents trick. Even Mr. Rich
mond. who scarcely knew how Miss
I Sclwyn looked. so rarely he raised
+ his eyes from the table. felt that her
+ conduct was injurious
4 May be permitted "a inquire.
I Charlotte. asked Mr.. Mccullough
/ in an awful voice, ,'since when a
/ knayr has been advanced 10 the dis.
iinction Of taking u king Of the same
suit2'
"Graclousr admitted Mrs Nc.
/ Cullough. pushing the card 30 Miss
Sclwyu, who was SO crowded los the
universal disapproyal that she re-
ccivcd them NJ a free gii'
..Ol course it IL impossible 70 be
even dccently attentive In the midst
Of such willful disturbance. re.
marked MIR Mccullough.
III Il were not case Of illness ~
began Miss Sclwyn. agologctically.
people have no business 10 be
IN. snapped MIR Mccullough
do You suppose Susan will be able
10 get there. too?" asked Mrs Nc.
4 Cullough.
Il hope so" returned Miss Selwyn.
..Comc. come. Charlotte" eX-
claimed Mr. MeCullough "for heav.
ems sake. let us play while we can"
Julia Mccullough and young Ste
yens were talking in low tones be-
hind the screen.
.Did you really pin Il up" asked
Julin, with apprehensive pleasure.
III really did returned young
stevens, lin the hall. | knew how
strained the situation would be to
night. and as II is my last evening
wanted IL 60 be peaceful, They
might have asked one OF US TO take q
hand.
Il wouldn't have done it, sait
Julia. firmly.
Eyes you would, you poor lamb. 81
/ would have taken your place anC
lost my temper can get along
with your uncle anywhere but at th'
whist.table,
One of the hotel servants came I,
the door-the stage was leaving
Miss Selwyn rose, looking ready I,
cry. The cards had just been dealt
II am very sorry" she said,
"Sorry!" growled Mr.. Mccullough
"we may have toplay with a dummy
There isn't soul in the hous,
that can play sighed Mrs. McCul
Tough. Richmond rose to go will
Miss Selwyn TO the door.
He put her in the carriage and re
turned. Not q word had been spoken
He walked restlessly to bookcas,
and read the titles. The old man il
the corner buried himself deeper II
his pages; the young girl and he
companion became mere involved Il
winding worsted. Mrs. Mccullough
sorted her hand mechanically. MIR
Mccullough drummed on the tabl
and looked ready TO burst with rage
II was as II nature were preparing
for q cataclysm.
suddenly they all, except tn
reader, looked up, A woman stoo,
in the Observation-Disclosures. thougl
not young woman Her gray hal