Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-20
CWritten for The Bulletin.l

| AWA4btCA HUT lIAc RuitClliist
 The card room in the Hotel Gotham was filled with eager. excited women, | playing bridge. At intervals, the noise was deafening, at times, the silence ] appalling. Mrs. Merriman, the hostess. !, was smiling indulgently on two delin- | quents, who were apparently breath | less with their recent exertion. Well, my dear" and Mrs. Burt smiled knowingly and squeezed her | too bad you couldn't have come earlier ! and seen the prizes. They're simply stunning, especially that gorgeous punch bowl"
 Mrs. Ashe sank into her chair breathless.
 ''Oh, don't talk to me for a moment. Margaret; Pm all out of breath. I've hurlie sol" and she Ianted becoming ly.
 well, it's too bad, my dear. that at such a chance as this party that you | should have been late. Why, every body is here and you've lost one en..re hand" she added. consolingly. For heavens sake, Margaret, stop your incessanr chatter and make the one of the players. She was a nervous, wiry woman who played cards as if her whole life depended on ultimate success.
 Pass it!" promptly answered Mar garet Burt.
 well" and the newcomer cooked her head coquettishly on one side seeing you're such @ good player, Peggy, I'll make it, without" and she pronounced the verdict defantly.
 May play?" asked the wiry wom- ans partner.
 'llo. I'll double it," eagerly.
 'Well, lead. Alice, I'm satisfied. Oh. my Lord," she added petulaHtly and frowned as her partner flashed across the green an uncertain. risky hand.
 Terrible hand" muttered Adele Ashe, as she hastily left her seat and started toward the front of the room to examine the prizes. lowing right and left to her numerous and smiling acquaintances.
 why, hello, dear" and she kissed effusively a pretty, well dressed wom- an. You're dummy, aren't you? Well, come oR, let's promenade. I haven't seen the prizes yet" and Mrs. Ashe linked her arm affectionately in her friends. and they sauntered slowly up the aisle.
 Having good luck. dear?" sine ask ed.
 Dandy! Made two hurdred the last time, and Just laid down four honors in hearts," and she laughed gleefully.
 ''Well, hope you'll win, dear" and in the next breath, "Oh, aren't they beautiful Isn't that love of dish7" caressing covetously the punch bowl. "Oh, Mrs. Merriman," writhing depre- catingly toward her hostess, your prizes are wonderful-so sweet of you to think of me"
 Mrs. MerriHran smiled charn7ingly.
 Think of you, my dear! Why, I remember very lovely luncheon about two weeks ago, at your house.
 "Oh, how can you speak of so insig- niflcant-"
 But Mrs. Merrfman turned hastily ts her companion: My dear Christine, have something funny to tell you" putting her arm around Mrs. MiIward's shoulders. Excuse me, Mrs. Ashe," turning courteously toward her guest and waiting for her to precede them out of the prize room,
 Yes, yes, Pm coming" Adele turned impatientiy toward Alice Hodge. who as a committee of one had been ap- pointed to find the recreant bridge player.
 this way and that alternately smiling and frowning ugon all. but bestowing her special favors on two women, Christine Mflward and Adele Ashe. Mrs. Ashe was nervous, Hurried, ex cited. She was winning steadily and rapidly. In the last two hands she had made almost five Hundred, which phenomenal count compensated admir-. ably for her previous complete annTfri- lation.
 Please put your name on your scoro cards, and the young ladies will gather them up-there is no need of turning in anything under four hundred-you all understand. don't your and the clear, resonant tones of Mrs. Merri- mans voice reached every corner of the room. The cards were collected amid much laughing and talking and good humored raillery. While they were being sorted and classified, quiet ly and swiftly, numerous walters placed upon the. small tables many delicacieS.
 There. guess that's plain enough, {" and Mrs. Ashe reluctantly rendered her card, her name written on both sides, and settled back with a satisfied sigh to enjoy the proffered dainties.
 My, you had phenomenal luck, my dear. the last hand. Just think of your making 1t no trumps-and my having both spades and hearts-ard YOU play ed it beautifully. You must be almost top score"
 Mrs. Ashe smiled complacently.
 ''Yes. nine hundred Is a pretty good average for five games" she answered nervously. Excuse me for a moment,