The Washington times., 1936-12-10

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He was a thin, youngish man, i'm
maculately dressed, with a small
head topping a long body. His
small and sallow face was lit by a
pair Of near-Set eyes that were
curiously bright. A toothbrush
mustache adorned his upper lip.
"Come, come! What's this about
money!" he asked arrogantly.
"The root Of all evil. You
should know" Claire Tipped her
glass, raising her eyes in a slow
smile, then letting the lids droop,
so that he might get the benefit
Of her incredibly long lashes.
She made q place on the sofa
so that he might sit by her. They
were great friends. More than
friends. Contractbridge partners.
Looking at them, Ann felt q
vague unease. She poured herself
a fresh cocktail. She had nothing
definite against Captain de Freyn
except instinct.
Wasn't he persona grata up and
down Park Avenue, and especially
among cardinal women? But it
was Claire who had introduced
him and vouched for him-that,
and his ability at contract.
Amazing" thought Ann, "how
sane people can shut themselves
up for the better part Of "a hours
on a stretch, for a pack of cards"
But it wasn't love Of the game
alone, she knew, it was the craze
for getting each others money
the lure of gambling and the hope
of winning. It even seemed to
change the incest peoples char
acter. Hadn't she seen women
who were perfectly normal,
ordinarily. fairly leap at each
others throats over the bridge
table?
This mania for cards seven days
Of the week was responsible for
shoals Of society divorces. It did
something to ones brains, turning
them to cottonwood when away
from the game, so that one had
nothing left to offer or hold q
husband.
She was afraid for Claire
Clalre'S future-Claire'S chances
Of happiness.
Presently Claire rose. She looked
at Captain de Freyn. Come on.
Carols expecting U.S." Carol Dit
mar, her best friend, was bridge
fiend married to a rich man on
Park Avenue. Cards were her god.
We'll dine up there since her
hubby's out of town. And we'll
probably play late-and if that's
so. I may stay the night with
Carol, Ann. So don't wait up for
me-"
Freddy invited the two younger
girls to "The Laughing Pig" to
dine. But Ann declined.
"Since I did such swell job with
the decorations, the meal will be
on the house." he urged her
naively. She shook her head.
"Have to be up bright and early
in the morning on the track of my
new job, Freddy"
HandicapS
AS they departed, Bernice called
over her shoulder, obstinately:
"And you bet I'm going to accept
that divine job of cocktail,hostess.
you old Spoil7Sport!"
Ann arose from her twin bed
(the other being occupied by Slum-
bering Bernice) at half past seven.
Slipping a kimono round her
slim, svelte body, she padded to
the kitchen to see if Araminta, the
fancily-named but respectable COL
ored maid who was now to be
their daily" had arrived and had
breakfast under way, since Dad
made an early start.
Araminta had.
From there for a peep at her
mother. Dad was just finishing his
dressing.
''T slept wretchedly, Ann. feel
WECGC1lSu. 4uOSS appalling SGT66G
noises" Laura Delafield COM
planned. She was a pretty, petite
woman who had just crossed the
rubicon of 40, and never forgot to
remind her husband that she was
young enough to be his daugh-
ter"
Nov. Lolly,"- was AIMS
pet name for the peevish one
you said just the same thing about
the hooters and fog-horns on
the East River, you old kidder!"
She kissed her mothers cheek and
patted her silken shoulder. I'm
two jiffies I'll have your luscious
breakfast up"
"I couldn't eat a thing. Only
black coffee"
"Your heart? Your precious
little heart, Lolly?" Ann grinned.
Ignoring that, her mother said;
why are you up so early?".
Because I'm going to be one Of