Life — May 25, 1911 — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CHAPTER I. T was early Twinkham’s for misses. In America a Miss is as good a Mile. Flossie Sparkton, alone of all the pupils, sat apart, No one spoke to her. No one noticed her. No one would admit that she was there. There was indeed a dark cloud hang- ing over Flossic, which bade fair to cut off an otherwise promising career Although the daughter of millions, with a pedigree that dated back for sev- eral years before the Newport Casino was built, although her parents were able to discuss intelligently but rapidly almost every topic mentioned in good society, Flossie, during her stay at the seminary, had utterly unable to learn the first principles of brid Fortunately the teachers of the school were exceptional ladies, in that they had much sympathy and patience, and they worked over Flossie for weeks in hopes that some gleams of bridge intelligence would come to her. At last, however, the fatal truth began to leak out. The other pupils began to hint among themselves at dark possibili- ties. Groups gathered, invariably be- coming silent as Flossie went by. It was evident that she was a marked girl. And no one realized this more kepnly than she did. Night after night she would cry her- self to sleep, in a passion of tears. Al- ternately she prayed that she might even learn to keep the score, and then fell into the Slough of Despond when she realized that even this was denied to her. The awful truth had thus far been kept from her parents. But soon the farce must end. Upon her first vaca- tion home probably the first question asked her by her loving mother would be, “Do you discard from strength or weakne: Alas, how would she an- swer? Miss school evening at fashionable even been CHAPTER II. In the examination day was approaching, and if she failed in this test, as fail she surely must, what hope was there for her? It mattered not if she had become more proficient in spending money than any other girl in her class, or that she could drive a motor car better. Unless she knew meantime #1 [RSE : An Easy Victory bridge she would be disgraced in her own set. As Flossie sat alone and brooded over these, matters, her eyes involuntarily filled with tears. Silently she passed to her room, resolving in the silence of her own if she could not possibly learn at least a few of the prin- cipal leads. Suddenly she was stopped in the hall by a maid, who pressed a note into her hand. This note was written by a gen tleman in a long coat, who paced fever- ishly up and down the terraced walk in front of the imposing edifice. The note read as follows: “Tam Peter Shortlead, the greatest expert in the country, author of ‘Bridge,’ ‘More Bridge,’ ‘Yet More Bridge,’ and ‘Bridge Forever.’ I dic- tate all the rules of the bridge tourna- ments. I have heard of your impending disgrace and have speeded here to help you. Unfortunately for me, the other evening I got into a game with some ladies and lost every cent I have. Hence I am desperate. If you will pay my board at a fashionable hotel in New York for a few weeks, in order that I may regain my fortune, I will reward you.” soul to see CHAPTER III. At the name of the celebrated Peter Shortlead, Flossie not hesitate a moment. Hastily writing out a check for a million, in accordance with his demand, she tossed it out of the win- dow. Ina moment a paper and a pack- age were raised on the end of a pole. She grasped the paper, read its contents and a puzzled look came over her face as she tossed the package on her table for future reference. “T will try it,” she muttered. my only hope.” From that moment she was calm. “Te is CHAPTER IV. The evening of the examination ar- rived. There were sixteen tables, and the girl who showed that she knew the most about the game was to head the class. The points were as follows: 10 for the most rapid talk between hands. $0 for the most profound knowledge of the rules. 20 for the best clothes worn, 20 for the greatest sum won. As Flossie sat down there were titters throughout the room. Her fate seemed forcordained. Picking up her hand she said calmly: “T make it spades. “You can't,” said her partne one can make it passed make.” “No spades except on a she said, “and I will prove to you that I am right.” It was doubled. She doubled back, and finally when the game was run up to 64 a point, she played and won. ‘Then Flossie began the most remarkable bridge game ever known. She played from her shortest suit. She discarded from anything she wanted to, until at last one of the teachers held up her hand. “Miss Flossie Sparkton has been dropped,” she announced. “For what?” asked Flossi “For violating every known rule of the game.” At this Flossie got up, and, taking the wrapper off the package she h brought, said quietly: “I think not, | dies. Have you ever heard of Mr. Pet: Shortlead?” “Have we!” chorused the whole school. “ Why, he is the only authority. We couldn't live if it were not for him.” “Very well,” replied Flossie, flourish- ing her weapon in her hand. “This book you sce is Mr. Shortlead’s latest In it he reverses all previous rules. No self-respecting woman would, of course, think of playing the game except after learning Mr, Shortlead’s manifesto. He sent me the first copy off the press. I know it by heart. Girls, you are several weeks behind hand, I am the only one in the whole school who knows the real game as it will be hereafter played in the best society.” CHAPTER V. Her triumph was complete. After she had been given the first prize and re- ceived the homage of her classmates, she retired to her room, covered with honors. And then once more she read with grateful eyes the instructions Mr. Short lead had given her in return for ber check : “The mistake you have made hereto- fore has been in trying to learn the prin- ciples of the game. But in playing with other women, all you have to do is to remember that I am the leading bridge expert in the country. Therefore, when in doubt just quote me loud enough and they'll believe anything you say.” T. LM. comicbooks.com