The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-11-30

his long briar from his mouth a
he did so.
| Mr.. Deane handed an ash-tray
across the table. "That means it.!
| going to be battle" he said Il
Tuck. at would be well if you
laid down a number Of good card:
for him."
There was something vaguely
irritating in the little mans tone
"But ] haven't got many gooc
cards." Tuck cried in dismay, al
she put down her hand. 81 thought
you had and I've only a little gooc
suit. I'm sorry, partner"
He looked at her and smiled re.
assuringly. II took NY pipe out be.
cause it's gone out" he said. "Mr
Deane is trying to brighten you
Upon which he trumped Mr.
Deane's ace and raked in the trick
Tuck watched his playing with
fascinated eyes. He seemed to be
playing quite erratically, leading
all the wrong cards and choosing
the wrong ones from dummy, but
the tricks fell regularly to him. His
face did not change when he made
little slam.
Mrs. Deane was standing behind
her husbands chair watching
them. as that really a little slam
in your first hand. DR.. McBain?'
she asked. Its a splendid begin
ming isn't it,"
Her husband moved restlessly
in his chair. "It doesn't mean he'll
make good ending" he said with
a faint hint of irritation.
McBain filled his pipe imper-
turbably and did not answer. Mrs
Murchison. as well as Tuck, had
caught the undercurrent. at was
very good bridge" she said
quickly.
Mrs. Deane was flushed. 'Tts
nice of you to take it that way
Mrs. Murchison. I'm sure you'll
win next time, I do so hope you'll
enjoy yourself. I'm sorry the Pro-
fessor isn't here tonight because
then needn't play and the num-
bers would be even instead of
some of you having to play with
women sometimes"
Quite unconsciously Mrs. Deane
was betraying the fact that she
knew Mrs. Murchison would pre-
fer to play opposite a man. Tuck
smiled to herself. very discreetly.
Mrs. Deane's voice was clear,
and it had carried to those at the
other tables. Jared Devoe turned
to answer her. since Mrs. Murchi-
son seemed not to intend to.
HE would have enjoyed being
here very much. Mrs. Deane."
Miss LiSSey, cutting cards at
head table. held them perfectly
still.
It was old Mrs. Devoe who broke
the tiny silence, in her level, un-
infected tone. eff he were here
tonight we should be thirteen, +"
she said, and laughed a little.
Mrs. McBain
JARED DEVOE turned back to
- his own table. $50 we should
be thirteen" he repeated. "That
would indeed be tragic" There
was sarcasm in his tone.
Aren't you superstitious, Mr..
Devoe?" Bunny asked.
AS matter of fact. / am. My
work lies in archaeology, you
know. One learns among ancient
peoples that it is wise to err, per-
haps, on the side of superstition. !"
81 believe it's my bid, isn't it?"
his partner asked quietly. Bunny
turned her attention to Mrs.
McBain. She was very lovely, in
a still, quiet way. Her beauty
was perfect, Bunny decided. It did
not occur to you the moment you
looked at her, but it was there. She
was tall and slender and graceful,
with very dark violet eyes and
ash-blonde hair: and the long
lines of her black dinner dress set
off her fair slenderness to perfec-
ton.
mo. it is Duncan's," Devoe said
with a glance at the younger man.
Zone heart" Duncan said brief
ly, with an involuntary glance at
his partner. He had deep blue eyes
with the thick fringed lashes of
childhood.
Bunny blushed family.
1.-Two clubs" Devoe murmured.
Bunny considered. Dune n
Strengthened in his chair, and
pushed his wavy brown hair back
with a boyish gesture. His hands
were strong and well kept. His
chin was firm and there was a
dimple in it. Bunny kept her eyes
on her cards for a long minute.
Then, 1.-TWO hearts," she said.
There was the slightest ouirk
in the corner of Mrs. McBain's
mouth. 81 think that bid will prob
ably carry" she said gravely. and
passed.
Devoe led the ace of clubs.
Bunny laid down her hand. "The
suit is pretty good" she said. shut
I've only the queen of hearts"
That's exactly what I need"
Duncan said firmly.
His sister-in-law, dummy at
her table. came over and stood be-
side him as he played. An insensi-
bic change came over his face as
she stood there, although he did
not look up. The atmosphere. Bum
ny realized. was charged. Bitter.
"Are you going to make it, Dun
CAM" Marie Murchison asked
brightly.
He did not answer. Devoe
looked up at her. Certainly he
viii make il" he said. She turned
her eyes away from his. but Bum
ny saw the complete understand
ing that existed between them in