The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-09-04
A GAME PLAYED UNDER DURESS,
EACH PLAYER NOT SUSPECTING
THE LIES CRISIS THE OTHER
THREE ARE FACING.

TM CARD group known to their
'ntimates In Warrenton as 1.-The
-Four DIS" were playing bridge.
They were Mrs. Driscoll, Mrs.
Davis. During the Last five years they
had played together every Tuesday
afternoon from two O'Clock up till five
at the home Of nj Of the quartet, un-
less some unexpected development
forced them to miss a Tuesday. No
trivial occurrence wa allowed to do
this. Illness or absence from Warren
the sole legitimate excuse for breaking
up the, game and disappointing the
other three. Today they were playing
at the home of Mrs. Davis. It was the
last meeting Of the present season.
They all enjoyed these Tuesday
games. They were good friends, but
they were not as intimate a they were
supposed to be. They increasingly ap-
passed, but nc especially strong affec-
ton held the group together. There
was a common liking and respect
among them. There was a common pas
sion for bridge. Most of all there was
g growing admiration in each of them
t6s the reliable PLAYING and grasp Of
me game shown by the other three.
though they might not admit it, and
did not even realize it themselves, the
tuesday games had become to each of
them the pleasantest social event of the
week. A postponement was in the ma
ture OF q disaster. In their five years
or play, they liked to remember, they
a dozen times. Each frequently said.
and believed, that they diverted her
mind from her personal anxieties more
tina anything else. Each smiled tol-
erantly when any of the others said
This. Each was quite sure the other
three, with the exception of Anne Davis,
had no pressing personal strain.
They were all the middle-aged wives
Of well-to-do men living in comfortable
was a leader in the social life Of that
town. Mrs. Desmond and Mrs. Driscon
had no children. Mrs. Drake had one
some who was approaching the end of
his freshman year at college. Mrs.
Davis had four children, between 10 and
l6, all attending good prep. schools.
Each of the women seemed in excel
lent health. Each was convinced that
the other three had not, as she would
have put 1t, "a care in the world"
None discussed her personal affairs
with the others or passed on to them
any OF her worries. Next to their card
passion, this reserve "a the bond that
1lc1u CIlelH COSeCIleT.
Today each noticed that the other
three looked badly. Mrs. Driscol1 was
she had not slept. Mrs. Davis, who was
the florid type, had an unnaturally
high color, and her quiet manner held
an undercurrent of tension. Mrs. Drake,
usually an Immediately dressed wom-
an, looked a. If she had selected her
garments at random. Mrs; Desmond,
whose n fault as a card player, in
the opinion of her associates, was that
she was too chatty between hands and
too much given to post mortems, was
unusually silent.
Each Of the women observed these
changes in the others, but each was
too much absorbed in her thoughts to
speculate about them. Each thought,
however, that she understood Mrs.
Davis situation; George, her husband,
paralyzed for ID months and unable
to communicate with others o. to be
communicated with, must be worse. In
ward!y, they hoped he was. His case
was hopeless. Life in such conditions
was not worth while. The end surely
would be a relief to him and his wife.
Moved by this brief reflection, Mrs.
Drake spoke in her gentle way. She
had a charming personality, with more
her associates realized.
Il hope Mr. Davis is not worse" she
murmured as they took their places at
the table and drew cards for partners.
Mrs. Davis shook her head.
mo, thank you," she said, II think,
on the contrary, that he's a little
better"
Her voice sounded very tired. Mrs.
Drake observed that, and for a flash
ing instant had a glimpse Of Anne
Davis home life these past 10 months,
The others murmured perfunctorily.
The tragic illness of Mr.. Davis was an
old story. So old that one was inclined
to forget it. They had all been shocked
and sympathetic in the beginning.
They were still sympathetic. But they
had come to accept the condition Of
for his wife, who must realize it all