The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-12-19

AAO lVullO ucT AL VIC ucAI TOOLu,
nestled in the corner of a big
davenport, weeping into a sym
pathetic sofa cushion.
Go and find the others" she
whispered, as he came near her.
Make them go and play with
herl"
Obediently, Haviland went. In
the glassed sun parlor he found
Pauline Stuart, Miss Caring
tons niece, and Stephen nlsley,
one Of the most favored of Pau
lines many suitors.
"For goodness sake, people,"
he began, "do go and play bridge
with the lady Of the manorl She's
in a peach Of a fury, and youT
have to take your life In your
hands, but gol"
II won't" said Pauline, blunt
ly "it's Anita's turn tonight. She
said she'd do it,"
"She did! But she came off
second best, and she's weeping
buckets Oh the best Empire en-
broidery sofa cushions! I'm going
to comfort her, but you must 60
and keep the gentle Lucy from
pulling the house down about our
ears! She's sure qucering herself
with his nibs! He can't admire
her sweet, flower like soul after
this nights exhibition"
II don't want to 60 q bit, but
I suppose Well have TO-" and
Pauline smiled at her guest.
"Oh, go on" said Haviland, as
he turned to leave them; land,
for heavens sake, give her all the
good cards. Can you manage
that, Illsleyf"
81 am afraid not. Her eyes are
too sharp"
"WelI, if her luck stays bad,
get her to play mumble-peg or
something, instead Of bridge"
Haviland disappeared and Pau
line rose unwillingly. II do so
hate to play with Aunt Lucy
she said, "but it must be done.
Are you willing to sacrifice your
self"
"For youf Always" And the
two went to the card room.
Pauline Stuart, tall, dark,
graceful, was a striking looking
girl. Only "a, she carried herself
with the dignity and poise of a
duchess, and her heavy, dark
lbrows gave her face an expression
Of strength and will power that
c~ontrasted forcibly with the deli
cate Dresden china beauty of
Anita Frayne. The two girls were
not especially friendly, though
never definitely at odds. Anita
was envious Of the more fortunate
Pauline. The latter, Miss Car
r~ington's niece, would inherit a
goodly part of her aunt's large
fortune, while the humble position
Of the secretary commanded only
a liberal. not munificent, salary.
The girls, however, were at one
in their dread Of Miss Lucy's
ebullitions of temper and their re-
sentiment Of the biting sarcasms
and angry diatribes she flung at
them in her frequent spasms Of
fury.
lllsley, a well set up chap Of
good address, followed Pauline
into her aunt's presence.
"You waited long enough"
grumblcd Miss Darlington. "Sit
down. It's your deal now, Pau.
line"
Matters went well for a time.
Miss Lucy held good cards, and
once or twice she triumphed
through a mistake of her adver.
s%aries, which she fortunately did
not discover was made on pur-
pose.
Count Charters little bright
black eyes darted in~quiringly
from aunt TO niece, but he made
no comment. All four played
we'll, and when at last Miss Car
rington made q grand slam her
Joy was effervescent.
''Good play" she flattered
herself. "You must admit, Count,
that it was clever Of me to take
that difficult finesse just at that
critical point"
Clever, indeed, mademOiselle.
You have the analytical mind /;
you should have been a diplomat.
Also, Fortune favors you. You are
beloved Of the tickle goddess"
Let us hope So" and for a
moment Miss Darlington looked
grave.
And then, with the ~peryersity
OF that same goddess, the card
luck changed. Pauline and lllsley