Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1914-04-16
Tricks OF the GAME
~ DOROTHY sLAckmoRE.


know nothing about Bridge aad care
aessI" lamented Bess watrous, han
ding the brown leather score pad she
had received BY parcel post.
You should keep your friends In
formed" leased her brother, picking
Hr the pal and examining IT, He
smiled. And IL smells Of camphor
baIlsi Worse yet! Some one must
have given SC to Mary last Christmas
and she's paiming IL on on you this
year. That's one way to do with un.
welcome gifts. i must say" Ralph
Watroas laughed mirthfully. It's
mice little pencil, anyway-with an
Ivory tip. SIS. Seer"
I do see-but you may have It. tip
and all"
sort o. peevish. aren't your Cheer
mp, sisl"
TN not the least bit peevish.
though / am provoked. and I have
more than half a notion to sit down
and write Mary q Straightforward let.
ter telling her that she 10 a chumpi I
certainly can't conscientiously say
Thank you for the lovely present.
etc. for then I would be as big a
lchump as she. We're good enough
friends to be frank"
-All right-you know Mary Ayres
better than I do"
And. believing that she did know
her friend Mary sufficiently well to
rreprimand her for her carelessness-
for Il was not the first time she had
displayed IL In gift giving Bess Wat
rous wrote letter. Also, she returned
the Bridge score pad. since, as she ex-
lpiained. she had no earthly use for t.
Some weeks later q reply came.
Your letter amused me 30 much
that ] read II aloud to Jim and his
friend Tom Cassidy. who is spending
the winter with as on the ranch. Tom
was 80 much tickled with the frank
ness Of the writer that he insisted on
knowing all about you. I have told
him all know. but he seems insati-
able and keeps bothering me TO ask
you down here while he In with us.
Can you come? OF course you can't
at this busy season, bury yourself on
a Texas ranch. but-at least I've ask
ed you"
This. in part, was Mary's letter. and
'Bess was not pleased. at first, mt the
idea OF having had her letter read for
the amusement of two men-Jim
lAyres and this Tom Cassidy.
And yet" she said to her brother
that night. Il really would enjoy the
novelty OF q ranch in winter. Mary Is
only half-hearted IN her invitation
Would you 60. Ralph?"
Il surely would IL I was as crazy 70
meet a strange man IN you are, sis.
Don't you have enough on your string
lnow?'
When she was on the train bound
for the remote ranch in Texas on
which her old friend Mary had been
willing to bury herself for jim Ayres
she could not help smiling inwardly
mt the way In which Fate had seemed
20 push her into this step.
She thought OF this again as she
was being driven quickly through the
lmoonlit roads 10 the ranch house the
might she arrived at the village In
southern Texas.
7 tried to get Tom Cassidy to come
In for you. Bess." her host explained.
with q twinkle in his eye: "but he had
"a game Of Bridge on with Mary and a
couple OF our friends in a neighboring
ranch and he hated to leave"
Bess laughed. You're as frank as
ever, Jim-as frank as I was about
the silly present Mary sent me. I'm
afraid your Mr.. Tom Cassidy wouldn't
thank you for telling me his excuse
Tor not coming. would he?"
Maybe not" admitted Jim. But
he's mighty fine. Bess, mighty fine
stun is Toni"
Bess did see the lights between the
trees and as they drove quickly to-
yard the house they were silent, and
she imagined Tom Cassidy coming to-
ward her. She wondered why she
took such an interest In a man who
did not care enough about seeing her
20 leave q game Of cards.
TIT Is You, isn't It. Bess?" she
heard him saying. as he took her hand
when Mary introduced him. It
thought It must be. Even as a wee
Girl you were frank enough to tell me
you didn't care to play with q red
headed. freckled boy named Cas-
sidy."
Bess blushed furiousiy. you're red
headed yet. but-well, the freckles are
gone at least" she said, trying to hide
her embarrassment.
And you still won't play with him
because-you don't like Bridge"
laughed Mary. her arm about Bess.
Il don't know what I'll do down
here II you're all such fiends for the
game" ,Bess replied. looking at Cas-
sidy.
Learn It." said Jim.
Bess shook her head.
You'd better" added Cassidy.
IF you do III give you back your
Christmas present. Bess," said Mary l
over her shoulder as she went out to
the kitchen to find a bite to eat.
Cassidy stepped up to her as she |
stood before the great cracking fire.
She can't have II and I mean to |
keep IL. Bess. Do you know why?"
Bess did not look up. Perhaps ]
DO. but don't tell me tonight Wait till
learn . few tricks OF the game"
Cassidy laughed. Learn" You
know all the tricks already. girl. It's
POUR game now-you know you've /
won"
Il think you're tho one that's won,
rom.- she said.
Curing Cold.