The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04

stakes, those who play for small stakes only,
those who will not play for money at all,
but will play for prizes.
AT first 1t was not generally known who
was who, and time was lost in sending out
invitations. Now, on the contrary, we all
know pretty we'll how our friends stand,
and the woman who balks at anything
higher than a cent ante is not likely to be
asked to make one Of four players who
like to take a flyer every now n then.
Nor will a woman who only plays for prizes
get an invitation to play in a game for
money stakes. 1t is too tiresome, you know,
to have a table spoiled by some one with
scruples about ever a one cent limit,
yes, the great majority OF women play
for money small stakes, though. Many
tales which from time to time have gone
the rounds about fashionable women be-
hind closed doors playing for high stakes
have been products Of the imagination, l
fancy"
Another woman took a different view
of the question of high stakes. She thought
that there were many more quiet games for
high stakes than society in general knew
anything about.
"The women who play these games"
she went on, "oan afford to risk large sums
and TO pay well for the excl tement, for
there can be no question but there is more
excitement, hence more enjoyment, for
women who crave excitement, in playing
lOT de OIl6 uuluTeI uOlldI bildl q Ol0 C0llV
stake.
Il heard Of one case in which a guest,
rather new at the game but not at all averse
to a good sized stake, was asked o TWEEN
ty-fve would suit her?' She smilingly
~assented, thinking rs cents was meant,
or the amount Of her winnings after the
first hand had been played that she found
out the stake was S25.
when n number Of women get together
to play the stakes are almost invariably
low, and us for losses and gains, most of us
come out even, some times a little to the
good or to the bad, at the end Of the season.
Several Of my friends have come out about
$500 abe ad, and it is not often average
players exceed that sum-.
There are exceptions though. The maid
of one lucky player. who is not known to
be possessed OF very large means, told my
maid that her mistress made enough at
bridge last winter to pay for all her gowns,
and she has a good many.
Some day bridge may rall on society.
Just now we live and breathe bridge; we
even go so far as to waive social ba rriers
in order to get.a good player. Persons with
little or nothing to recommend them
beyond an ability to play a ripping game
of bridge get an entree into houses whose
doors otherwise would forever remain
closed to them,
From the first I set my face against
this, only to give way weakly when one
day at the last moment almost / got word
that an expected guest had been taken Ill
and could not come. That meant, Of course,
that lacking a substitute three other guests
must he disappointed.
Il telephoned to half a dozen Of my in
Inmates in vain. To my desrairing e~jacula-
ton What shall / do?' the sixth called
through the phone Try Mrs, Blank. She is
impossible, of course, socially, but she
Goes play a tirtop game and she is not
loaded down with engagements
Never ! screamed back and hung up
the receiver. A minute later / called up
Mrs. Blank, invited her in my blandest tone
to PLAY bridge at 3 O'Clock, listened to her
delighted acceptance, and then sat down and
cried with rage.
yes, she played well enough to carry of
most Of the stakes at her table and l caught
myself wishing | had her for a partner
instead Of the novice who fell to my lot,