The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-17
CHAPTER 100

Manville. My dress was perfect and I was so excited could scarcely keep still. I had practiced indefati gably with my bridge teacher until felt no fear of my game. But l fell exactly as June had said-as if were debutante I was making my bow to the bridge set to which l so longed to belong and of whom I had beer jealous ever since my marriage.
 You look very nice" Manville sait as I pirouetted before him to show my gown. Put this on." He opened { box he held in his hand and held ul string of pearls. l gasped with de light. While always generous, Man vile had bought me few jewels. He said once I was too young; that would have time enough for them wher was a dowager.
 "Oh, how lovely! Thank you SC much! See, they are just what 1 need to make my costume perfect" stood on tiptOe and waited for a kiss. Man vile bent down and kissed me not once but twice. Then said
 "Yes, they do improve you, although you hardly need them for that reason. J
 Many thanks for those kind words ; l swept him courtesy, laughing for pure joy. I would win him yet; win him from everyone else and not by fault-finding or any of the supposedly sure ways which Mrs. Clayton so glib ly advised, but by being tactful and pa tient. 1 felt that was the only way with a man like my husband-a master Jful man.
 June was delighted when I showed her my pearls, flattered me and said she was jealous because she had none. l entered the drawing room with Man. vile, feeling so excited and happy that I knew I showed it in my face. I was to play with MT. Chase, Ruth Mark ham and Alfred. We were to pivot, so I knew before the evening was over 1 should play with Manville.
 Mir Chase said so many compliment tary things to me that had not known my game perfectly l should have been too embarrassed to play we'll. But from the beginning the cards came my way. recalled something I had heard father say anent cards that one could neither put spots on or take them off the cards and that the best player in the world could not win if the other fellow held the cards.
 You play a remarkable game, Mrs. Hyde" Mir. Chase said, and 1 saw Manville, who was at the next table, turn his head and listen!
 II have to when my partner plays so well.' was playing opposite All fred.
 You have me beat a mile" Alfred responded. All this persiflage pleased me, not because of myself, but because Manville heard. I knew that little things like this counted in the long run in my effort to make him proud of me, That was why I had taken such pains to learn bridge, and why I had men, toned it so often. It was one of the pivots upon which turned my future happiness.
 l came out ahead at our table, and then played at the table with Manville It really was funny. Mir. Clayton was my partner. and Manville declared good naturedly that we had wiped up the floor" with them.
 You wouldn't be so good natured ii it was any one but your wife who had beaten us so badly" Mrs. Clayton who was playing with him, declared My good luck followed me. 1 had the highest individual score, also the high, | esI WIln phTlueT. 1nS pFlleS vert lovely. And was perfectly delighted when Mrs. Markham said so every one could hear:
 You must join our club at once Mrs. Hyde. We can't afford to have so good a player absent, even if we have to take in three more to gel you
 II shall be very pleased to join Mrs. Markham" 1 replied, wondering whether she was honest in wanting me to join, or if it was another sample of her tact. 1 noticed Mrs. Clayton looking at her in q manner I did not like, so was not surprised when she said:
 You'll find you will not be as pop ular as you have been if Mrs. Hyde joins the club" It was said in ban tering manner, but every one knew what she meant.
 II will yield the palm as gracefully as I may" Mrs. Markham replied