The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-11-03
WON AT BRIDGE
WHIST


The steamer had but couple OF days
more before reaching port when the
sun, which we had not seen since our
departure, broke through the clouds
and bathed US all in delicious warmth.
Something else burst forth at the same
time-the sunshine, for me, Of face.
She came on deck for the FIRST time,
and her dignIhed father put her in a
steamer chair, arranged her wraps and
sat down beside her like shepherd
deg beside lamb. Perhaps he saw
me looking at her. AT any rate, that's
whit | was doing, for couldn't keep
my eyes off her. Such refined dignity,
such renose, such gentleness! X must
have all come down from generations
or gentiiity.
why had the weather kept her be-
low till the voyage was nearly finish
ed? must make the most OF the brief
period left to secure an acquaintance.
Alas, the sun went down In clouds, and
so did my hopes She did not appear
on deck again. did not even see her
leave the ship.
Winter came and the usual round Of
gayeties. An invitation--brldge whist
at Mrs. Peabody's--camc, among 9th
ers for me- and resolved to accept
| On entering the card room the FIRST
face set eyes on was the steamer
girl. was surprised and, though de
lighted at my luck In meeting her
agaln, panied to see her In the com
pany. Mrs. Peabody Is ultra fashion
able, and the people she entertains are
very smart that Ia. the women
drink cocktails, smoke cigarettes and
gamble. III ron ask why I go with
such people, ! reply ] am man and
can 20 anywhere without soilirg the
| feathers OF my angelic masculine
wings. but had q wife she should not
/ 70 to Mrs. Peabody's.
| at ence sought an introduction to
the steamer girl. Miss Dclaplain. and
soon saw that che was out Of her Gle
neHt When cocktail was handed
/ her she started and declined II. /
caught Mrs. Peabody frowning at her
as she did so with an expression which,
being interpreted. meant. You don't
get invited here again" Several young
| bloeds had been chatting with Miss
| DeIaplalH when / was introduced to
her, and they must have been putting
on their up to date society manners,
for she looked ruined and when adj
/ dressed her deferentially she hsurstive-
/ " nestled to me as enc would cling to
lifeboat.
| Miss Delaplain and ! were AT FIRST
partners. / cav at once that she knew
very little about the game, and soon
/ suspected she didn't know she was
playing for money. when We changed
partners her new yis-r-vis soon made
her aware Of her temerity in playing
game she did not understand. At
every nisplay he wculd seowl at her
and did net seruple 10 Indicate that be
! was wroth.
After the evenings Amusement ! was
about to take my departure when |
met Miss Delaplaln wearing a counte-
nance that told OF trouble.
what shall I dor she said. II
have been told that my loss at bridge
whist is SOS. ] had ne idea was
| playing for money"
And my gain is exactly the same
amount. Though knew that we were
playing for stakes, do not feel at lib
erty to accept my winnings"
why scr
lyon FER enc did not know that you
were rlsklns anything The money
| You fost may have gone 70 me. You
are in an unpleasant position. So am
|. There is way out for both. Let
me turn In my winnings to cover your
loss"
There was no trouble In psrsuadlng
her to accept the terms, at least tenn
norarIly, for she had no money with
her. and she told me she would need to
break the matter to her father, who
would be greatly shocked at hearing
that she had been gambling. babe
her good night after asking permission
TO call and. going to the hostess. paid
her loss.
Two days later upon opening my
morning mail found note from
Mrs. Peabody ineloslng note and a
cheek for Sos from Mr.. Delaplain in
payment % his daughters loss at
I bridge whist Mrs Peabody called my
attention TO the fact that the amount
was 50 more than the loss. supposed
this to be an error until. referring to
| MIR Delaplain's note, | saw In post
script on the second page. The So is
to cover the supper"
What should | de with this amount:
/ It did not belong to me and was In
tended as snub for Mrs. Peabody
Should return Il to her, calling her at
tentisn to the snub? Such crime
would preclude the possibility OF my
attending any more entertainments at
her house thought the matter over
and concluded TO accept the conse-
/ quenees lnclosed check for the
surplus amount with Mr.. Deiaplain's
note, understanding the postscript with
Il blue pencil
A week later met Mrs. Peabody
face 10 face on the steps OF ST. James
church. She gave me the dead cut
My decision was more than one relat-
Ing to Mrs Peabody II Included the
smart set Of which Mrs Peabody was
q distinguished member Something
In the old fashioned demeanor OF Miss
DelaplaIn told me that II / adhered to
the smart set ! wouldn't be a fitting
/ Gamma nion far har and irno,~ 4h.t