Middletown transcript., 1911-02-11
BY MAY KELLY

\ kAS Vlh4AGG wa ~ SSSSS y II
when Mr.. Randolph entered the
room q little later, looking very
distinguished and much hand
somer without the disfguring
hat. After the introduction, he
himself proposed retiring to the
library, which was what Mrs.
Terrell had hoped for, but there
vas q chorus of disappearing
voices and dissenting opinions.
want Mr.. Randolph to sit by
me, exclaimed Mrs. Talbot, and
then no one will dare to say l
cheat!
Why can't he take Mrs. Hun
ter's place, we are one short9
said Miss Tanning.
Oh. yes, do, Mr.. Randolph
You don't think it is wicked to
play bridge, do you.G chorused
every one.
WE'LL don't play cards but
but am at Mrs. Terrell's dis
posal, answered Mr.. Randolph.
| am afraid / have intruded this
afternoon, but will do anything
she wishes me to.
Then it's settled! cried Mrs.
Talbot Mrs. Terrell always lets
US have our own way, so you
can be my partner! and he was
Immediately swept away to the
table which lacked a player.
Mrs. Terrell was much annoy
ed. Underneath the new rector's
suavity of manner, she thought
she could detect a CLEAN of dis
satisfaction, and there was no
knowing to what lengths Mrs.
Talbot would go, for she was an
inveterate flirt as well as an
incipient gambler.
But at least, she was sure of
one thing, and that was the COM
plete success of her party. Every
time she looked up from her
cards, sparkling eyes, eager
faces, quick smiles, suppressed
excitement, met her gaze. A
clergyman, young, handsome
and unmarried, even though
poor was a potent attraction, and
afforded the especial fascination
of novelty to these society -sated
young women.
As, they we're changing tables
q little later, Mrs. Terrell found
herself near her involuntary
guest.
How are you getting on, Mr..
Randolph l hope you are not
too disgusted with US?
For she had noticed Mrs.
Talbot's empressement and Miss
Fanning's evident rivalry, and
thought the rector's behavior
had been perfection, a room full
Of talkative women could scatter
far the seeds of suspicion and
disapproval.
Oh, no! I assure you, Mrs.
Terrell. But | am afraid I am
keeping my partners from winn-
ing, though they have been very
kind to me, and shown no malice
as yet.
Mrs. Talbot was at his elbow,
smiling archly.
Don't forget what told you,
Mr.. Randolph, about unlucky at
cards! with 8 lsnguishing glance.
AS she passed out of hearing,
Mrs. Terrell seized her opportu.
| nifty.
Isn't Mrs. Talbot delightful
No one minds her nonsense, for
she is devoted to her husband,
and he says he can trust her any.
where.
have no doubt of that, and he
is right to place confidence in
her. But don't you think ]
ought to stop playing now?
don't know what Mr.. Terrell viii
think of me, and ] should be very
well entertained in the library
looking over ms bookS.
No, think, if you don't mind
we'd better keep on as we are
It is certainly a novel welcome tc
a new clergyman, but Mr.. Terrell
can explain it all to the vestry
and she went on to her table anc
continued playing.
I'm afraid I stretched the trutE
a little when / told him abou
Mrs. Talbot, her conscience
pricked her as she sorted on
her cards. I'm sure | dom
know what should do, if sh,
ever dared TO look at Robert th,
way she does at some ofthe men
and her face flushed and he
voice sounded almost sharp q
she announced her intention o
bridging.
II The afternoon went fast ant
furiously, the last games wer
being played, and it was time TO
1.-THE nrizeS bafora any one really