THE CHEAT

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10143, 3 May 1911, Page 2

THE CHEAT

[From Our Correspondent.] LONDON, March 24'. Some years ago the gossips were busy with the names of a certain Earl and Countess whose sudden retirement from society was alleged to be the re-' suit of their playing cards in a manner that did not meet with the approval of a certain Duke, who was on very intimate terms with the then occupant of the throne. To-day the gossips are busy with the name of a lady who, though not born in the purple has hitherto been made welcome in the homes of the highest in the kingdom. To-day sho is a social pariah, and is gibbeted as the woman who was spanked for cheating at cards.

Her favourite game was bridge, and she was without doubt an expert at the game—so expert, indeed, that her consistent winning became a matter first for comment and then for suspicionTwo ladies of title who were staying at the same house as the expert became so sure that her play was not all fair and above-board, that they decided to watch closely, and in the ond they detected her illegal methods. At the time they said nothing, but later the Cl:eat, when playing against the younsr and unsophisticated daughter of a great but impoverished nobleman, indulged in lier penchant for cheating to such an extent that the unfortunate girl rose from the table in debt to the extent of over £IOO. This roused the wrath of the two ladies, who determined to get even with the Cheat and to punish her. The}' invited' the Cheat to the bedroom of one of them for a little chat. Flattered by the invitation, she gladly accepted, repaired to the room, and found herself very neatlv cornered. The two ladies explained to her that they had been watching heT cifrd play for some time, had discovered her to be a cheat, and had only keot silence for the sake of her husband and his family. But her fleecing of the poor little lady was too much for them. She must give them the girl's 1.0.U.'s and all the ©ash she had won from her, and promise not to play cards for money again. After a feeble attempt at remonstrance the Cheat gave in, and yielded up the evening's spoils, and swore to play cards no more. This she imagined was all that the ladies required of her. But she was mistaken. Having locked the bedroom door and having cautioned madame that if she screamed and anybody came to know what was the matter they would tell the truth, the ladies forced the Cheat down on the bed, and whilst one held her the other gave her a sound whipping.