Evening star., 1914-10-11

bulldog head, which was absolutely
bald. 1t appeared that he was in the
butchering business. His huge ham
like hands and the manner in which
his derss coat fitted across the back s as
sisted in the advertisement of his busi-
ness. The next man was Mr.. Hector
Malange, who was the possessor OF
large, rabbitlike front teeth and
practically no forehead or chin.
Delightful little affaih," murmured
Mr.. Malange, as be extended a limp
hand. "These informal little affaihs
are really-er-really delightful"
Are they?" inquired the Observer.
raising as much Cain as his was.
Convinced that the Observer was
slightly idiotic, Mr.. Malange moved
away. Mr.. Hoofus and Mr.. Ma1ange
had brought their wives along. The
former was a slight, weak-eyed little
woman and the latter wore glasses
and talked about the new culture"
Williams wife spoke up.
I'VE will start the game" she an
nounced. with the partners previous
ly arranged and save the time Of
drawing for Them
Mr.. Hoofus. 1t appeared, would open
the exercises with Mrs. Malange. Mr.
Hoofus gripped her arm as If decid-
Ing where to perform an amputation.
He essayed a light pleasantly
MY wife will raise thunder about
this" he said, ponderously. 'She hates
to have me running around with other
women"
Mrs. Malange shuddered visibly.
Somebody rang a COW bell. Gus ap-
peared at the doorway.
Want me?" he inquired.
Nothing. James," replied William,
with dignity.
Gus" corrected that truthful being.
William colored slightly.
, I'VE are about to begin play" he ex-
Il get Sou." said Gus. and disap-
The party seated itself Mr.. Hoofus
and Mrs. Malange were to engage
Mr. Malange and Mrs. Hoofus. At the
Observers table he and Williams wife
were to battle with William and Miss
Gardenia Angletree. a spinster of
wrinkled and uncertain age. who pos
sessed an uncomfortable weakness for
simpering.
Now" said Mr. Hoofus, after he
had emitted a grunt like that of a
frightened rhinoceros. 81 might as
a blamed lot about this here game Of
bridge. Poker's my game"
You'll find it easy" gushed Mrs.
Maiange. ITS perfectly simple once
you learn the leads and are careful
not to take chances on your finesse"
What is my finesse?" asked Mr..
Hoofus. in the voice Of a man who
suspects that something is being put
over on him.
The finesse," explained Mrs. Me-
1ange. 'fs the playing of a lower card
SO that a higher one won't take it,"
Il don't see how that can be done"
complained Mr.. Hoofus. "a higher
card always takes a lower card, don't
ft?'
Mr.. Malange went into great detail.
He described how the thing worked;
described 1t and rediscribed it until
he got. feverish. Mr.. Hoofus, how
ever. was merely stubbornly combat
he called 1t "hoss sense"-did not per-
init the assumption that a lower card
could pass higher one without be-
ing taken. To the Observer it was
deep conviction.
"Oh, WELL" said Mr.. Hoofus, finally,
let's get started. 1t don't make no
difference who wins We're only play
Ing for a quarter of penny. and we
can't lose much"
"a quarter of penny a point
amended Mr.. Malange. rather cold1y.
Whats a point'" demanded Mr..
Hoofus.
They were off again. Fifteen min
utes of debate made it partially clear
to Mr.. Hoofus that he was not being
swindled. He glanced around the table
and a grieved look came over his face.
"Ain't we going to begin-ever?' he
inquired. Clearly his conscience held
him in no way responsible for the de-
lay.
Mr.. Hoofus dealt the cards. He dealt