The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-05-21

Shoose. I'd IS soon choose Marion"
plank looked at Leila. who laughed
AAl right; choose, then" said Sy.
- Howard. you're dying. of course
- MAY with me. but you're lookini
VIZ guiltily at Agatha"
me major asked Leila at once, s.
Plank fell to Sylvia, pltted against Ma
ION apd Grace Ferrall.
A H moments later the quiet o
the library was broken by the butle
entering with decanters and ice anC
nasses that tinkled frostily.
Play began at table No. on a pass
I'd make Of no trumps by Sylvia, anC
St the other table on a doubled and re
doubled heart make, which sent ;
dalicate flush into Agatha's face ant
drove the last vestige of lingerin.
InougnIfuness from Quarters, leav
ing 1t tense, pallid and expressionless
mask, out of which looked the velvet
fringed eyes of a woman.
OF all the faces there at the two ia
bles Sylvia's alone had not changed
neither assuming the gamblers mask
nor the infatuated glare of the anna
tsur. She was thoughtful, excited, de-
lighted or dlsmayed by turns, but al
ways wholesomely so, the game for
Ms own sake and not the stakes abb
Sorbing her, partly because she had
never permitted herself to weigh mon
o. and pleasure in the same balance,
but kept a mental pair Of scales for
each.
As usual, the fever Of gain was
Hercest In those who could afford to
lose most. Quarter, playing to, rule
with merciless precision, coldly exact
ed every penalty that a lapse In his
opponents permitted. Agatha, her
teeth set in her neither lip, her eyes
like living jewels, answered Quarters
every signal, interpreted every sign,
her play fitting In exactly with his, as
though she were his subconscious self
balancing the perfectly adjusted mech
anism of his body and mind.
Now and then lifting her eyes she
sent long, limpid glance at Quarter
Ike a pale shaft of fight, and under
bis heavy fringed lashes at moments
his level gaze encountered hers with
slow narrowing of lids-as though
there was more than one game in prog
ress, more than one stake being played
for under the dull rose glow of the
clustered lights.
The collar of diamonds and aqua
marines shimmered like the reflection
Of shadowy lightning across her
throat, A single splendid jewel glow
ed on her left hand as her fingers fash
ed among the cards for the makeup
"A hundred aces" broke In Planks
heavy voice as he played the last trick
and picked up the scoring card and
pencil
Once Marion, overintent, touched a
card in the dummy when she should
have played from her own hand, ana !
Sylvia would have let it pass had not !
Plank calmly noted the penalty.
"Oh, dear It's too much like bust
ness" sighed Sylvia. Cant we play
Tor the sake of the sport? l don't
.hink 1t good craftsmanship to profit
1y a blunder."
Rule observed Marion laconically
Ware barbed wire If you want the
)rush"
Il myself never was crazy for the
rush" murmured Sylvia.
Grace whispered maliciously, But
iou've got 1t, with the mask and
ads and her mischievous head bare
= tipped backward in the direction
luarrier
Especially the mask" returned Syl-
Ia under Der breath and laid on the
able the last card of a Marlborough.
Toward midnight Sylvia, ABSORBED I
her dummy, fancied she heard the
Iectric bell ringing at the front door.
alter, having barely made the add
he was turning to look at the major
hen, beyond him, she saw Leroy Nor =
mer enter the room, sullen, pasty
Iinned, but perfectly sober and well
roomed.
You are a trifie late" observed Syl-
IA carelessly. Grace Ferrall and Ma
on ignored him. Plank babe him
'od evening In a low voice. O
Inc people at the other table, hav- v
9 completed their rubber, looked =
ound at Mortimer In disagreeable
Irprise. n
I'll cut in II you want me. II you .
~ / say So" observed Mortimer. r.
II was plain that they did not, 80 he IL
ttied himself In an armchair with an al
ny glance at his wife and an inso-
ut one at Quarter and the game r
eht on in silence, Leila and the mr :.
sui losing heavily under the sheer
: gaze Of Mortimer.
at last Who's carrying you" he u
axe out, exasperated, and in the 81
"eSed silence Leila. very white. fl
'ue a movement to rise. but Quar- 10
: 'aid his long finger across her arm h,
eSSlhg her backward. o.
iou don't know what you're say re
: ne remarked, looking coldly nj
nrtimpr