The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-06-29
Copyright, 1915. by the Mcclure Newspaper
Egndicate-3

6GNV Jo-S = you come over 70 SEC
w tonight? Just a friendly little
game. my dear-our. own
crowd. you know
There was something in the purring
tone of the invitation Of the woman
across the hall from Constance Dunlap's
apartment that aroused her curiosity.
Thank you. 7 believe will" answered
Constance. IT'S lonely in a big city
without friends"
Indeed # is" agreed Bella LeMar.
I've been watching you for some time
and wondering how YOU stand it. Now
be sure to come, won't your
Il shall be glad to do So" assured
Constance, as they reached their floor
and parted at the elevator door.
She had been watching the other WON
an, too, although she said nothing about
IT,
"A friendly little game" repeated Con-
stance to herself. That sounds as If #
had the tang of an adventure in It, I'll
go"
The Mayfair Arms, in which she had
taken suite Of rooms, was a rather
recherche apartment. and one OF her
chief delights since she had been there
hsd been in watching the other occu-
pants.
There had been much to interest her
in Eha,znenage across the hall. Mrs. Bel
Ia, LeATar, as she called herself, was of a
typa rather common in the city, an at
tzActiVs widow on the safe side OF forty,
we'll groomed. often daringly gowned.
Hsv brown eyes snapped vivacity, and
the, pert little nose and racy expression
Of tho mouth confirmed the general inn
preston that Mrs. Le8Tar liked the good
tirfngs OF life.
quite naturally Constance observed,
beg ue1ghbor had hosts of friends who
oFtans came early and stayed late. friends
who seemed to exude, as It were, an air
Of prosperity and high living. Clearly,
she was a woman to cultivate. Con
stance felt even more interest IN her
now that Mrs. LeMar had pursued a
bowling acquaintance to the point Of an
unsolicited invitatio
"a friendly little game she specu-
lated. What Is the game"
That night found Constance at the buz.
Esr beside the heavy mahogany doOl
across the hall She wore a new evening
gown Of warm red. Her face glowed with
heightened color, ana her nerves were
on the qui vive for the unlocking at las
Of the mystery of the fascinating Mrs
LsDdar.
so glad to see you, my dear" smiled
Bella, holding out her hand engagingiy
You are just IN time"
Already several OF the guests had ar
rived. There was an air Of bonhomie a.
Bella presented them to Constance
BtoclIy, red-faced man with a wide Ches
and narrow waist, Ross Watson; a tall
sloping-shOuldered man who inclined hi
head forward earnestly when he talked
to a lady and spoke with animation
Haddon Halsey; and a fair-haired, baby
blue eyed little woman gowned in becOm
ing pink. Mrs. Lansing Noble
Now We're all here-tust enough for
game" remarked Bella in a business
like tone. ooh, beg pardon-you play
Mrs Dunlap?" she added to Constance
"Oh. yes,'' Constance replied. ''Almos
anything-a little bit.
She had already noted that the chic
object in the room, after all. appeared t
be a round table. About it the guest
seemed naturally to take their places.
What sha it be touight-bridge? p
asked Watson, nonchaiantly lingering
little pack of gilt-edged cards which Bel
la had produced.
"Oh. mo- cried Mrs. Noble Bridge I
such bore"
RUM"
''NO-no. The regular game-polzer"
"a dollar limit?''
Watson said nothing. but Bella patte
Halsey's hand in approval, as II all wer
on very good terms indeed IT think tina
win make a nice little game" she cut ir
opening a drawer from which she too
out a box OF blue, red. and white chip
OF real ivory. Waston seemed NATURAL
to assume the role of banker.
Aren't you going to join us?'' aske
Constance.
oh. seldom play. You know, I'm to
busy entertaining you people" excuse
Bella, as she hustled out Of the room. re
appearing a few minutes later with tn
maid and a tray Of slender hoIlow-stem
med glasses with a bottle wrapped I'm
white napkin in a pail Of ice.
Mrs Noble shufled the cards with
practtced hand and Watson kept a ca
oulsting eye on every face. Luck wa
not with Constance on the first deal an
she dropped out.
mrs. Noble and Haisey were bettfn
eagerly. Watson was cooIly followiu
along until the showdown-which he wor
"Of all things" exclaimed the litt'
woman in pink. plainly betraying he
vexatlon at losing. win luck neve
turn
Halsey said nothing.
Constance watched in amazemen
This was no friendly little game" TT
faces were too tense. too hectic. TT
play was too high and the desire to wi
too great Mrs. LeMar was somethfn
more than a gracious hostess in her $,
ucitude for her guests.
All the time the pile OF chips IN fror
Of Watson kept building UT. At eac
new deal a white chip was placed in
little boX-the kitty-for the cards an
refreshments"
II was IN reality one OF the new sty
gambling joints for men and women
The gay party Of callers on Nrs I.
Mar were nothing more than gambler
The old gambling dens of the iceb,
doors and steel gratings. Of white-coatt
servants and free food and drink. n,
passed away with reform Here W,
remarkable new phase % sporting Ii
which had gradually taken its place
Constance had been looking about cur
ousIy I'm the meantime On a table 81
saw copies of the newspapers which pu
lished fun accounts Of the races, som
thing that looked Ike racing sheet. al
a telephone conveniently located ne
writing materials It was q poolrool