The evening times., 1899-04-27
INTENSE RIVALRY
FOR Whist TROPHIES
Third Days Play Of the Won.
ans League.
The Washington Club Still Well to
the Front.
Finals in the Prise Matches sched-
uled for Tomorrow Morn
ing's Session.

Intense interest and the closest compe-
tition characterized today's play Of the
Woman's Whist League. The rivalry be-
tween the various clubs grows as the
contest nears an end. Upon the results Of
today's and this evenings play will de-
pend the selection of the clubs to contest
in tomorrow's finals.
The championship teams will play for
supremacy tomorrow morning and will be
chosen from the two clubs that have won
the highest percentage of games during
congress- So close are the leaders bunch
ed in several Of the contests that the re-
suit will remain in doubt until the last
trump is turned and the last card played.
The parlors of the Ebbitt House and
Willards Hotel, where the contests have
waged since Tuesday morning, were crowd
ed with enthusiastic minister's earlier than
usual today. Each contestant seemed anx-
ious for the battle OF cards to begin.
The conversation preliminary to the play
related only TO whist and animated dis
cussions could be heard on all sides re-
garding the game Systems of play were
discussed in unending succession. The
most approved manner of blocking, un-
blocking, finessing. echoing. signaling, and
countless other technicalities Of the game
monopolized the attention OF each group
Of the fair contestants. When the hour OF
play was announced, the scene quickly
changed. Animation gave way to thought
full silence and only the shufflng of cards
disturbed the quiet of the parlors. The
battle was on. Aces. kings, queens and
knaves, supported by their respective suits,
were engaged in the final struggle for su-
premacy.
Slowly and cautiously, the play is pro-
crossing, for each contestant knows that
upon today's battle depends victory or de-
feat. The contest for the Washington tro-
ply is so close that the result is yet in
doubt. The following is the standing of
the clubs who yet have chance OF win
ming the premier event.
New York Ladies' Club. ub.................... 24ls
Cavendish Club, OF Bostcn..................2 231a
Washington Whist Club. ub..................... %
Minneapolis Journal Club. Observation-Disclosures. 22ie
Howell Ladies Club, OF Boston. 22iz
Noman's Whist Club, of Baltimore. %
Pennsylvania Auxiliary, of Philadelphia. -. 20
Belmont, Of Philadelphia. ia.....--.....---.... 1917
Loeoher Club, of Philadelphia ......-..-.-.. ls1s
From the foregoing table it will be seen
that any of the clubs named may prove
the winner. Today's play will tell the
tale The highest order of play character
lies the contests and seldom is trick
lost through Ignorance or misjudgment.
The Washington players are to,dins tn eir
OWE, and it is confidently predicted that
they will enter the final contests. The
results of today's scores will not be an
nounced until late this afternoon. To-
days contests were for the Washington
trophy, Philadelphia cup, Toledo trophy,
and open pair contests, qualifying for the
Brooklyn cup.
The following is the programme for this
evening and tomorrow morning:
Thursday evenng-0pen pair contests for mixed
pairs or women as partners, qualifying for spe-
cal trophy.
Friday morning Washington trophy finals;
Philadelphia cup finals, if necessary; Toledo tro-
ply finals; Brooklyn trophy finals; special trophy
finals.
The annual election of officers will take
place tomorrow, after which the congress
will adjourn.