Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-07-09
GAVE UP BRIDGE"

Is q quiet, unObtruS1ve sort VINO loves
her husband, adores her home and
considers 1t a waste Of money and
time to buy ultra clothes and French"
hats. In no way Is she prone toward
extravaganza.
Yet suddenly she decided to vary
the calm monotony Of her life. she
loves to play bridge, really loves 1t.
and seldom plays more than once
week. She pondered the matter and
In due time decided that her husband
owed 1t to her to play bridge when
ever she wished. That was all she
asked Of him.
So that night at dinner she an
nounced that she had asked the
Fishes in for the evening.
The husband drew his breath in
quickly, as Is often the mans habit
when he has q tremendous difficulty
staring at him. But Mr.. Burns Is
gentleman. He Is also madly in love
with his wife, even after she has
trotted Loyalty by his side for some
twenty years,
"All right, dear" he answered. III
have to hurry to get shave and
bath"
The Fishes came. The play lasted
until eleven o'clock. Afterward Mrs.
Burns brought In q very tempting
supper. 1t was. perhaps. one O'Clock
when the guests took leave Of their
hospitable neighbors.
You must come over and play with
US next week." we're the parting words
OF Mrs. Fish
"Oh. we would love to-" was Mrs-
Burns answer.
Mrs. Burns spirits were high. She
had had a splendid evening. She told
her husband so. He patted her arm
and said that he was very glad; that
they must have more bridge evenings.
1t was noon the next day before
Mr.. Burns could settle down to the
business on hand. His head was not
clear until that time. When he left
for home at $50 he felt that little
had been accomplished. that 1t had
been a day lost.
Mrs. Burns eyes were bright her
smile sparkling. She had had nap
that afternoon. She was wearing her
blue charmeuse because the Arthurs
had telephoned asking them to play
bridge with them that night, and she
had accepted.
Mr. Burns smiled fondly across the
table. She was really looking tit So
he hurried through his dinner, hauled
out clean clothes, a newly-pressed
suit, bathed, shaved and at eight
o'clock started with the bright-eyed
little woman for the Arthurs'.
1t was 1870 when Mr.. Burns turned
the key OF their apartment 1t was
two when he was ready for bed. Four
hours later he arose to begin another
day He didn't disturb his wife. She
was sleeping soundly.
But the people who lived upstairs
took II into their heads to clean house
that day Mrs. Burns was. therefore.
up and dressed by eight o'clock She
felt sleepy and tired. And the Mes
singers from across the street were to
play bridge with them that night
When she looked into the glass, she
saw that her eyes were deep c1rcled.
She looked old. She felt old.
The husband noted the change when
he stepped in the front door. He,
himself, had a powerful headache and
everything had gone wrong downtown.
But he did not mention it. Instead.
he asked cheerfully.
We'll, what's doing tonight. dear?"
THE Messengers are coming and l
wish they weren't l don't feel like
playing bridge. And. you know, they
have a scandalous reputation for be-
ing night owls"
Mr.. Burns laughed, put his arm
about his wife, and said. II guess we
are equal to it. We are getting young
err every day. I think It's great to
play bridge every night, don't you"
"Oh, Dave, don't know. Do you--
do-you really like 1t so-much?" she
faltered.
1t was two o'clock when the Mes.
singers went homo. Mrs. Burns
Topped into the nearest chair.
Dear, my head is splitting and
never want to see another card" she
cried. "How-how-do you feel?"
Never felt better in my life," said
Mr.. Burns, with an effort that the
wife was too tired to detect.
Dave, dear, don't see how you
can stand 1t, going to the Office every
day, when l, with nothing to do, am
80 exhausted"
Then she sat up very straight.
"I don't care. think 1t Is criminal
criminal for women to drag their
husbands out to bridge parties and
theaters and other places every night.
Hereafter, once week is as often as
we ought to play bridge, think"
Dave Burns answered softly, Just
as you say, dear. 1t is you we want
to please, little WIFE," But when he
turned to go into the bedroom his
face was overspread with a mighty
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