Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1907-03-06

WON AT BRIDGE
WHIST
lOriglnal.l

more before reaching port Wnen lne
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 dlgnified father put her In a
steamer chair, arranged her wraps and
sat down beside her like a shepherd
dog beside a lamb Perhaps he saw
me looking at her. At any rate, that's
what l was doing, for couldn't keep
nv eyes of her. Such refined dignity,
such repose, such gentlenessl 1t must
have all come down from generations
of gentility.
Why had the weather kept her be-
low till the voyage was nearly finish
ed? l must make the most Of the brief
period left to secure an acquaintance.
Alas, the sun went down In clouds, and
70 did my hopesl She did not appear
on deck again. 1 did not even see her
leave the ship.
Winter came and the usual round of
gayeties. An invitation-bridge whist
at Mrs. Peabody's-came, among 9th
srs. 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
again, panied to see her In the COM
pany. Mrs. Peabody Is ultra fashion
able, and the people she entertains are
very "smart"-that Is. the women
drink cocktails, smoke cigarettes and
gamble. If you ask why l go with
such people, I reply l am man and
can go anywhere without soillng the
feathers Of my angelic masculine
wings, but had a wife she should not
go to Mrs. Peabody's.
I at once sought an introduction to
the steamer girl Miss Delaplain, and
soon saw that she was out OF her ele-
ment. When a cocktail was handed
her she started and declined 1t. L
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
bloods had been chatting with Miss
Delaplain when / was introduced to
her. and they must have been putting
on their up to date society manners,
for she looked ruff1ed, and when l adj
dressed her deferentlally she figurative-
" nestled to me as one would cling to
lfeboat.
Miss Delaplain and l were at first
! partners. l saw at once that she knew
very little about the game, and L soon
suspected she didn't know she was
playing for money. When we changed
partners her new vis-a-vls soon made
her aware Of her temerlty in playing
a game she did not understand. AT
every misplay he would scowl at her
and did not scruple to indicate that he
was wroth.
After the evenings amusement / was
about to take my departure when
met Miss Delaplain wearing a counte-
nance that told of trouble.
what shall ! do" she said. Il
have been told that my loss at bridge
whist is $105 had no 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 I'D
erty to accept my winnings"
"Why so?'
'You for one did not know that you
were risking anything. The money
YOU lost may have gone to me. You
are In an unpleasant position. So am
7 There is q way out for both. Let
me turn In my winnings to cover your
| loss"
There was no trouble In persuading
her to accept the terms, at least tenn
porarlly, for she had no money with
her. and she told me she would need 10
break the matter to her father, who
would be greatly shocked at hearing
that she had been gambling. l 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 l found a note from
Mrs. Peabody lncloslng q note and a
check for sos from Mr.. Delaplain In
payment of his daughters loss at
bridge whist. Mrs Peabody called my
attention to the fact that the amount
was So more than the loss. l supposed
this to be an error until, referring to
Mr.. Delaplaln's note, l saw In post
script on the second page, "The So is
to cover the supper"
What should do with this amount
It did not belong to me and was In
tended as a snub for Mrs. Peabody
Should l return 1t to her, calling her at
tentlon to the snub? Such a crime
would preclude the possibility OF my
attending any more entertainments al
her house thought the matter oveI
and concluded to accept the conse-
quences. l inclosed a check for the
surplus amount with Mr. Delaplain's
note, understanding the postscript with
blue pencil.
A week later / met Mrs. Peabody
face to 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. 1t included the
smart set of which Mrs. Peabody was
distinguished member. Something
In the old fashioned demeanor Of Miss
Delaplain told me that IL adhered t.
the smart set wouldn't be fittlns
, companion for her, and l knew tina
after her first experience she would
not get lost among them again. My
withdrawal proved to be no loss to me
for in time ! became engaged to Miss
. Delaplain. l was glad TO be privileged
to return in gifts the amount of my
gain at the bridge whist, which ! al
ways claimed | had won from her
Besides the money won wife.
NATHAN WHITE HOWE.
: G..L:.a Ia. Worth AZ 900.