Evening star., 1936-07-12

Young Mrs. Webb, tying her hus-
bands tie for him. felt family ashamed
of her plot. So she set forth with him
for the Cushmans', resolved to tell
Gerald Hunt. at the first opportunity.
that there was nothing. after all, to
be feared; that bridge was only card
game and no one with grain Of sense
would ever take it seriously as thing
to wreck two homes.
Gerald and Vera we're sitting to-
gether on a wicker love seat on the
Cushmans' veranda when the Webbs
arrived. They looked companionable
and cheerful. Sally saw in Gerald's
quick glance at her that he had dis
covered the same thing she had. and
she smiled at Vera with friendliness
she had not felt before.
But in that fractional instant Larry
and Vera had gravitated toward each
other as naturally as lovebirds.
I've been thinking Of you," Larry
said. "You were wonderful"
81 did only what l had to do" Vera
said, lowering her eyes modestly.
Larry laughed. MY dear girl. you.
know as well as do that it takes in
telligent cooperation to reach slam"
but, Larry, it was simple enough.
You opened with forcing two and l
had two plus honor tricks and fit in
your suit besides. You see. l know l
can always count on you for an extra
trick in the play"
Larry wore the look of one receiving
a medal for valor. Don't be silly" he
said, blushing. THAT double finesse
you took when we were doubled at
four spades was -"
Gerald said loudly. Sally, you are
a dream in that dress"
~ wore it for you, Gerald" Sally
said distinctly.
"a more mastery play" Larry was
saying fervently, sending slightly
impatient glance toward the two in
terrupters. II have never seen.
During dinner Mrs. Cushman tried.
to no avail, to veer the conversation
away from contract bridge. Sally
brought forth her brightest smiles and
best wit. Gerald told rollicking story
or two. Vera and Larry gave distrait
ear politely, wearing that slightly open
mouthed look of people whose conver-
sation has been interrupted at a crucial
point.
Sally became desperate. "I'll never
forget, Gerald" she said. over coffee
on the veranda, that you saved my
life this afternoon"
This astonishing remark did actu-
ally ensnare Larry's attention. "fiow
do you mean - he saved your life!
''It was wonderful" Sally said fer
yently. ignoring the somewhat startled
look on Gerald's face. II got caught
in one of those funny alongshore cur
rents. lost my wind. was exhausted.
too exhausted to turn around and let
the current carry me - Everything
I'd ever done in my life." continued
Sally, clinging wildly to the attentive
silence around her, moved like a
kaleidoscope before my eyes. Then
Gerald came - big and strong and
powerful - and towed me in -"
"Now, now," put in Gerald, un-
easily, ut was nothing really - she'd
probably have made it -"
mo doubt" said Vera dryly.
Gerald is always rescuing women
from drowning, whether they need it
or not. Well. I'm glad you're among
the living, Sally. Fred, set up table,
will you? Look. Larry, there's some
thing 1 want to tell you before we
start, in case by some miracle we are
to be partners.
Larry said vaguely, But, Sally, are
you all right? l mean, you didn't
strain your heart or anything -"
Il" began Sally. but Vera inter-
posed impatiently, "It's getting aw-
fully late. And we decided to quit at