SOCIETY CARD-SHARPER PUNISHED

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3215, 11 May 1911, Page 3

SOCIETY CARD-SHARPER PUNISHED

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 result 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 she is a social pariah, and is gibbeted as the woman who was spanked for cheating at cards. Her favorite 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 suspicion. Two ladies of title who were staying at the same house as madam© became so sure that her play was not all fair and above board that they decided to watch her closely, and in the end they detected her illegal methods. At the time they said nothing, but- later madame, when, playing against the. young and unsophisticated daughter of a great but impoverished nobleman, indulged in her 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. They invited madamve to the bedroom of one of them for a little chat. Flattered by tlie invitation, madame gladly accepted, repaired to Lady B.’s room, and found herself very neatly cornered. The two ladies explained to her that they had been watching her card-plav for some time, had discovered her to be a cheat, and had only kept silence far the sake of hexhusband and bis family. But- her deeding of poor little Lady X was. too much for them. She must give them the girl’s lOirS and all the cash she had won from her, and pro - so rot to pay cards for money again. Titer a feeble attempt at indignant -■ rnirtranee madame gave, in, and v ; "P the evening’s spoils, and; swore y cards no move. This, she imagined, was all that the ladies required of her. But she was mistaken. Having locked the bedroom door, and buying .cantrued madame that if she screamed and .- nybody came to know what was i 1 v emitter, they would tell all, the ladies forced madame down on the bed, and, whilst one held her, the other gave her a sound whipping.—London correspondent March 24.