Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-23
CHAPTER x.
Two-and an Extra


X where she had cut in at Mrs. Wetheralrs r.
bridge game, roster than usual, laughing
little nervously when DeLand appeared,
while she dealt the hands, They were forming
another table from among the arrivals from
the billiard room: Kempton, Mrs. De Witt, h
and Miss Van Solver. But Rene would not
play; so they took Tommy Mccall, while "
Rene sank into chair at the other table be- II
hind Mrs. CARROTS partner De Witt. In the
other room Abby Kempton with the aid Of
manual was giving Brooke Garriott his first
lesson at the game. showing him the leads :
makes and discards at trump" and mo h
trumps' while he watched her hands fitting c
the table. more observant of the pretti-
of her palpable wrists and fingers t
than of the intricate byways of the into
which she was leading him.
Us it absolutely necessary" he asked r
'' WHAT" a
.: "Bridge. 1t seems to me you waste lot of -.
What is time to grasshopper2" she
laughed. u
II think I'd rather talk"
"Oh, talk is all right-if you have something
to say: Most of us haven't anything to say Bridge
sent direct from Heaven especially for Horrors! The
dreadful evenings people used to spend in the drawing
ROOM half asleep with heavy dining yawnng into hand,
kerchies waiting for the time to 60 home! See those
children in the cardroom. Nothing in the world that
aware of better contrved to keep them out of
mischief"
timed; for De Land and Natalie We're engaged at wire,
less telegrapy, forgetu that the they had
tablished could carry in other directions.
There seem to be at least two of them who are not
aware of it, he said dryly
Poor Rene!" she sighed. "He has loved many
so madly!"
Mrs Garrott knows what is best, of course" he
said slowly. II had rather however, that she had
not asked him here. But then, l suppose I'm preju-
diced perhaps little jealous too of his looks and train
ing. He turned toward her suddenly and lowered his
voice. what is it, Mrs Kempton, that woman most
wants in man.
She fingered idly at the cards before her. What
really think woman most wants is for man to make
grand slam with chicane.'"
She had the faculty of putting him into good humor
at once. You're too truthful to be pleasant he
laughed II have chcane, all right; but how to take
a trick with it is more than 1 can guess
Perhaps your ignorance IS a blessing in disguise. A
bad bridge player frequently confounds his opponents
by his bewildering incapacty"
"You make me hopeful. When it comes to pleasing
woman I'm the only human blunderbuss. Will you try
to teach me? I'll not explode you handle with CARE
Il don't know, she said doubtfully. II teach
you only what will please woman. I'm frank to
confess that can't tell what will please Natalie
I'm at least of thing that does not please
her."
She questioned.
my presence. If cut that out, may become popu-
lar in time
But that's at expense"
"Oh, you won't mind. I'm only incident here. 1t
doesn't take much imagination to that. I'm not
coming very often. shouldn't have come to-day if it
hadn't been necessary to my wife business. But
find that seeing ones wife is thing; getting near
enough to talk with her is another.
"Oh, you re fnghtfully old fashioned she laughed.
You Il never do at all. You'll have to learn to shoot
occasion on the wing. Jack and hold our business
conferences at the opera.
I'D like to get on with her. 1t would make things
easier all around But she fairly brises at the sight of
me-
"PerhaDs vO,1 re too gentle" she STONED to ouote.