A BOOK ON BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18711, 17 May 1924, Page 22 (Supplement)

A BOOK ON BRIDGE.

THE NEW RULEB.

Many a beginner at auction bridge has looked for instruction which will be at once simple and comprehensive, assuming no knowledge in him, and explaining away the difficulties which mar his enjoy* ment of the game. There are books ,on bridge in plenty, but many of them are suitable for the player who, understanding the elements of the game, wishes to increase his skill. A new, small, convenient little manual has just been published in "Auction Bridge for i Beginners" (Stanley Paul), by A.C.B. , It is written with ■ admirable simplicity, for the . player who is absolutely new to the game. It assumes no knowledge in the reader, yet, at the same time/ gives hints which the experienced player may well accept. A notable feature is the inclusion of the laws of the game as revised only this year. • ■;•

rose-water and. changed her dress for a robe of glittering silver, rode out with her ladies-in-waiting, who, I am ; afraid, wot very much snubbed for not ; being able to suggest any new joy to her. They were passing along the broad road by the Palace, when suddenly they came upon -a ragged little beggar-maid sitting by, the dusty hedge,-playing with something that, sparkled brilliantly. The poor creature was thin and wantedlooking, hut she did not seem to notice her .. wretched state, for her white face was full of great joy as she fondled her toy. k \ y »/'■ The Princess pulled up her horse and watched for a, time, then turning - suddenly she commanded. one of her ladies to fetch the bauble that she might examine it more closely, but they returned with the news that the pendant was a fairy gift which was to bring luck to its owner, and that the beggar-maid refused to give it; up.

"Refuse, indeed ! How dare she ?" • the Princess stormed, " her , eyes .: flashing angrily, - "and how • dare , you come ■ backwithout it ? Bring the .'girl to me: at once." So the poor beggar-maid ' came timidly to the side of the proud, beaui\tt}l Princess, and Flora; taking.- the pendant • from her was lost in delight at its beauty. "It sparkle® more than any diamonds I; have even seen," she said 'in high glee : "I must certainly keep this for myself. But the poor ragged child burst into tears and threw herself down at Flora's feet, for . the latter had descended from her horse.. "Oh, - please, kind princess, do give me back my pendant," she implored; "for if that goes from me I shall never have any good fortune." V ' ' m But Flora roughly pushed her aside and unheeding the appeal re-mounted . her .horse and made away while the ragged girl crouched down on the dusty road in despair. ; . _ . 1 ■ V;-.:. ■ That evening there was to be a grand state ' ball' at the Palace, and Princess Flora decided to wear her new treasure. So after drinking her tea and resting for an hour or two she went to take her scented bath, after which her ladles-in-waiting attired her in splendid robes of purple velvet and placed a diamond crown 'on her head. , . When she was left alone the . Princess took up the pendant and slipped its slender chain about her neck, feeling sure it would give the finishing touch to her

appearance. " , ■ • I Smilingly, she looked into the glass, I and then she started back in horror, for she saw that: her beautiful face was all I wrinkling up and becoming quite ugly, while the wonderful pendant had apparently turned into a dull black pebble. Feeling she must be in some awful night-mare, Flora . looked more closely, and this time she saw there was no mistake, for she was growing each moment more hideous. : At that moment one, of the ladies-in-waiting came to see what was keeping her? mistress, but when the Princess _ turned to" her she' uttered a terrified shriek and fled away. vtj: v .... Then the Princess buried her face m both her hands and wept bitterly. j • "Some one has put a curse upon me, she moaned to herself. :' 'Oh 1 what shall 1 I do J" , , "Do you really' want to know how to regain your lost beauty," a soft '% voice broke in at that moment, and Flora, looking up, saw a dainty little fairy, at ; the open window. "Oh yes, indeed *1 do. Will you help me ?" she answered eagerly.: The fairy hesitated a moment; then asked abruptly— you sorry you stole; the magic pendant , from that poor beggar-; maid ! ' ;• ' . \ The Princess started in ? surprise. 1i j "Why, what has that to do ; with' it TV - she inquired. "Everything," replied . the fairy, ''here I you are living in this splendid palace with ! all you can - possibly want in the ' world, yet you must steal the only treasure that ! poqr child had, and, worse still, not give her anything in return." f ■ -l " "But what • could I have given' her !" Flora asked, beginning to realise how cruelly she had acted.: v : .... "You might have ; offered i her money, and food and clothing, too," the fairy went on severely; "but you were too taken up with your own pleasure to ; think of anything else, and now you see you have only brought soro trouble upon yourself." .' But is there no way, of making things right again !" Flora asked in trembling tone#- i* v : ; ! : . '.Ojr •

*. The beggar-maid looked at her in delight, then after a little hesitation replied:— ; "Beautiful Princess, if you would but let me stay with you always and wait upon • you, X ' should be perfectly happy." So Princess Flora granted the wish, and ever after the childa beggar-maid no longerbecame her chief companion and was treated more ; like a beloved little sister than a personal attendant. •