New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-04
THE MATCHMAKER.
(copyrt0ht: 1904 BY LonQmans Green & Coz
BY l.. B. WALFORD.
CHAPTER Xiv.

or In the galleries.
Already she had been reproved for informed
ding. and now that the climax had been
reached. she could we'll perceive she no
longer needed.
Perhaps she also shrank uncOnsc!ously from
the moment Of disclosure. II would be moment
OF triumph--a great monochrome TO be hailed
with effusion and reflected upon in after life
with Thanksgiving. but-she drew back from 1t
little.
An hour passed Nina came into the room.
Penelope bit her lip and fixed her eyes steadily
upon her own and her antagonists hands. Bob
was doing badly. amalgamations worked
luckily for him. Whereas Penelope had never
held such cards In her life. Point Of seven.
Ouint major. Four aces" she declared; and
Captain Ainse dashed down his wretched out
witted hand In affected fury and despair
81 never. pom my word never knew anything
like it, he exclaimed. Il am the unuckiest
beggar. 1t matters not how l play. there's no
doing anything with such hands az hold to-
night. Well. there's one comfort. Yod know the
old saying?
Penelope knew the old saying well; strange to
say she was repeating 1t to herself at the mo-
ment. though il could have no meaning for her.
OF course. She might or might not be unlucky
in love" because Sc was lucky at cards; she
would chance the love and stick TO the cards
How was Nina looking? What was she doing?
w
The query easily answered Nina was
longing 10 tell her news OF course. She would
expect to be kissed. congratulated. and gushed
over; there would be scene Ike page out OF
silly novel--bah
Nina came and stood over the piquet players.
watching the game.
You are in the light" said Penelope. peev-
ishly. She did not lift her head and frowned
end intent upon her play
Her cousin moved quietly TO side. and Bob
held UP his hand of cards to scott a. II, and win
r6
ever see such cards? 1t had been the same
every round. Before he saw what he had got
he knew when they were being dealt-knew as
well as If he them--what the lot would be
like 1t was always the way at piquet II one
began badly. bad luck pursued one all through
He had not had decent hand yet.
Nina smiled family and put question. "Eh?
OF course not That would not work at all.
said Bob in answer You see II | had had the
luck to have knave Of this suit. or queen Of
that
what is the use Of explaining when she does
not know court card from another? cried
Penelope rapping the table sharply. 10 go on,
Captain Ainslie. All the talking in the world
will not make your hand any better Nina,
wish you would not stand there. 1t can't in
terest you to watch US. when YOU don know
what we are doing in the least. And do hate
people standing by when am playing
Nina moved away.
ope" said Bob loosely. for he was gra,ihed
that she should bestow so much of her attention
on the game. OF late he had occasionally felt
wander Really. YOU know don't say Il to he
uncivil but it does not very much signify now
you play tonight. YOU simply cant hep SCORING,
Your cards play themselves If a whole room1ul
buzzng in your ears you would sun win
every round"
'sThore is the dressing gong. and have been
late for dinner every night Of late suddenly
Penelope dashed down her cards and pushed
back her chair. "Oh I'm sorry Captain Ainshe'
what do you say with a momentary compunc-
ton 1T is the first good hand you have held
Oh | am sOrry--really. Pray don't be VeXrd
with me for being rude and cross. am a 1T
tie out of humor tonight ! don't know why.
neryouslv collecting the cards and beginning 10
thrust them back into their case. ! nave no
business be out Of humor. and IL is not lair
TO vent ii on an invalid either.
Don't mention IT," said Bob gayly Don
mention it, was a little joke between him ana
Penelope She tried to smile
IL am afraid my pQuet gets TO De rather d
bore" continued he If must teach YOU some
other game for change That is If my old
doctor is still obdurate; but | really think ne
ought to release you all of my presence soon
this this an ." . N
Before she knew what she was saying. Pc
nelope with truth in every tone or her voice
was giving assurance whereof she was AFRAID lc
think presently. but which. had she but known It,
rang the death kne TO the gay soldiers hopes
"a nuisance? | cannot tell you what a D.esS-
ing YOU are 10 US all There are things. mere
are reasons-I cannot explain-it is Impossible
10 enter into it-but sometimes in ianlIy
Captain Ainse. you have been out in the Worio
and know many thngs-if 1t is any consolation
to you for being left upon our hands, as you
cal. IT, don't think need mind telling you tha'
II there is one thing am thankful for every Gay
az nv life at present II is for your being here
think we are all glad OF tall ! have mol
heard one Of the CarnOusties say single wore
TO the cOntrary-among themselves, mean
people talk plainly when they are among them
se.ves you know-while. as for me- am crate
full to you-do you acknowledgement TO you
from the bottom OF my heart TOT your pres
ence" ~ -,
THANK you" said poor Bob quietly III
knew what this meant. When she held out mel
hand and kindly assisted him 10 rise upright
and when he assured her he required no furtnel
aid but would walt moment before he hoDDet
along on his crutches TO his rooni-he mao oesi
advanced to crutches a few days prevously-h'
made no attempt to renew the conversation ~
resolved Penelope should never think OF mn
differently than as she did now.
In two minutes Penelope had forgotten mn
altogether Within hor own lighted chamber ne
eyes had caught sight OF the expected figure
and with throb of expectation she aIreau'
heard in fancy the anticipated announcement.
.'Well" she cried. breathlessly. vel?
Il only came IN to see II you could give me
thread of silk this shade. sara NINA; noiu IN
out a colored sash ribbon: the stitching ma
come undone and | know you have a p1alt 0
shaded silks I thought | heard you come up
stairs: but it must have been Marie putting on
your things ,,
Penelope took out the required article
How did piquet get on?" said Nina drawint
out the thread she wanted D!d BOD 40 al!
better after left? ,, IT.,
1--WE hardly played any more hustled mr.
through the last round. had an Idea tsrat per
haps you-you wanted me
"Wanted you. DEAR?
you do not often come and stand over u
when we are playing. Are you sure you Wer
not trying 10 catch my eye? III you nave any
thing to say 10 me-
Indeed have nothing
Penelope's' brow changed like a summer da
oyercas; by thunderstorm. This too bad
too insulting Not to tell her? Not even /
trust her, now that the denouement which sh
had furthered. and promoted, and toiled Tor, ma
.,rxa. In iv,ffio finp
for words she motioned her cousin TO the dooI
and mutterng something about being late an
in haste, closed IT. almos; turning the intrude
out
The evening passed other evenings ha
done No one seemed important or excited o
in any way different from usual; Captain Ainsli
iA4Ia claaa rfil II tnaIa IN