The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-13

Mrs Castles drawing room Mrs Cas-
tie has sent out cards Tor a whist drive
that she VIII not be able TO come if Mrs
Alderley As going 10 be there. as Mrs
Alderiey has accused her Of flirting most
desperately with Mr.. Alderley-l
Mrs. Castle Cbusting into the ROOM
Ny dear. il is so good OF you TO call.
Don't say you're not coming 10 my
drive. You know how much 1 count
upon you and your husband.
Mrs. Yonge-Well. that's just what !
ran over TO see you about. I'm lucky
TO find you alone. because l want a lit
tie confidential chat. You know l
should like TO come to the drive more
than anything. but
A servant enters and announces
Mrs. Alderley. Mrs. Aideriey has called
TO say. privately. that she will not be
able to come TO the drive II Mrs.
Yense is going TO be there, as Mrs.
Yonge has accused her of winning
prizes by unfair means.l
Mrs. Castle Ito Mrs Alderley)-My
dear, IL is so good of you TO call. You
and Mrs. Yonge are quite old friends.
/ know.
Mrs. Yonge and Mrs. Alderley Cto-
gether)-Oh. quite. So pleased TO meet
you. dear. (They bend forward as IL
to kiss. but seeing that each presents
her cheek 10 the other the embrace is
a little cold and barren)
Mrs. Castle-rm so glad you're both
coming on Thursday week. / do SO
want TO make il pleasant evening.
Mrs. Yonge-Well. that's really what
I came to see you about. dear. Do you
know. I'm rather afraid
Mrs. Castle-Oh. my dear. you can't
surely be going TO disappoint me. Why,
Mrs Alderley is coming and
Mrs. Alderley with careful empha-
sisb-And Mr.. Alderley.
Mrs. Yonge with the conventional
affectation of pleasure)-That Will be
nice. won't it,
Mrs Alderley (sweetly, to Mrs
Yonge)-I was sure you would be
pleased. dear.
Mrs. Yonge Ito Mrs. Castle) = You
see. I'm such q bad player. Do you
know, really quite revoked If Mrs
Sansom's. and my partner and / had TO
forfeit l don't know how many tricks.
Mrs Alderley-I think it's only
matter OF paying attention to the game.
When / am engaged on anything par
ticular.I can generally keep my mind
on what I'm doing
Mrs. Yonge with extreme suavity. TO
Mrs Aideriey)-That must be nice for
you. dear. And you always win, don't
you?
Mrs. Castle don't think one wants
TO be such very good player in a So
cial game It's ever SO much nicer il
there's an element OF chance; otherwise
the result would be foregone cOnclu-
sion, and the best player would take
the prize every time
Mrs. Yonge-And Mrs. Alderley is a
remarkably good player. (To Mrs.
Alderley)-You must have got quite
phenomenal collection OF prizes at
home. dear.
Mrs. Alderley-I don't think it's good
play so much as keeping your mind OH
up frivolous and modifying CONVERSE
ton all the time they can't expect to
make tricks.
Airs. Yonge Ito Mrs Castle)-My
dear, I'm afraid / must be going (She
makes no sign Of being about to move.
nevertheless.)
Mrs. Castie-Oh. you mustn't go.
dear. before you've had some tea
(rings).
Mrs. Alderley-I think I'll wait a lit
tie longer. dear. il you don't mind.
Henry said he might call for me here.
Mrs. YOnge "a little chagrined at the
failure OF her hint TO Mrs Alderley)-
Well. really, of course. dear, I'm not in
violent hurry-and-
Mrs. Alderley Cher eyes flashing
dangerously)-I think perhaps. dear. I
won't wait for Henry. He's so unrelia-
bic OF late. ] really only called to say
that I'm very much afraid we Shan't be
able TO come. You see
Mrs. Castle-Oh. you're surely not
both going TO leave me in the lurch.
always reckon on you two
Mrs Yonge-Yes: il would be a pity
for both of US to disappoint you, dear
If Mrs Alderley has really made up
her mind
Mrs. Alderley-I wouldn't disappoint
you for the world, dear; and if Mrs.
YOnge can't manage TO come. of course
/ should be only too pleased (smiling
Mrs. Yonge (noticing the double en-
tendre 10 Mrs Alderley)-Oh. you
really ought to come, dear. You're
sure 10 win the prize. and il viii be so
nice for you. CTo Mrs. Castle) You
see. I'm such a bad whist player, dear,
/ often think could make quite high
scores il We We're allowed to look over
our opponents cards But I've never
been able TO bring myself 10 il.
Mrs. Castle-Good gracious. my
deari / should think not, indeed.
Mrs Alderley Ito Mrs. Yonge)-No
one would suspect you dear. of any
thing that wasn't perfectly honorable.
Mrs. YOnge Ito Mrs Castle)-Well.
dear, If you really think you could put
up with me. I'll try and come.
Mrs Castle-That's right. And Ito
Mrs. Alderley) you won't disappoint
me either, win you?
Mrs. Alderley-Well. you see dear,
we have so many invitations just now
that the difficulty OF choice is most
embarrassing And as dear Mrs.
Yonge Is coming, and 1t viii be such
nice change for her
Mrs fonge-Oh, but my dear, we
should miss you so IL you didn't come
Mrs. Alderley-Oh, it's very sweet OF