The Lakeland evening telegram., 1912-07-17
T laying the
Game

lie nd0 SOWn his Wl!d oats, ana now
he meant TO settle down. Well off
good looking, 4 frst-ratc sportsman 9
favorite with men and women alike
the Fdtes spinning BIZ ily had smiled
upon him at birth and had woven only
gold '.roads in the MOOT Of his lite
For years he had lived the lie OF
IA" si2aEl young man about town. lie
had done Tic same thing III the usual
way, lie had been neither very good
nor bad; in his own words, the favor.
lie words OF British youth, he had al.
ways tried TO play the game
1t vas because he 1elt it incumbent
upon him to play the same that he
decided TO tell the woman he was go
ing 0 marry OF a certain newly close d
episode in his lie. The consideration
that perhaps it would be as well for
! her TO hear the tale from him first
hand instead OF embroidered with lies
on Il foundation OF truth, Il, She might
hear 1t from some one else, may have
N'''AA''h w sIOiAiNlis Ills, lDU.
But the reason he gave himself as
he hnotted his tie carefully before the
mirror on the fat.iGl morning Of con.
Iession was that he must play the
game"
i hardly know how to tell you,
dear he began awkwarlly, standing
tall and perfectly groomed on the
hearthrug that afternoon. It's so diff
cult to speak to womeD--pllre wom-
en-. like you-about certain things, but
the fact OF the matter is, I've been an
awful rotter, Evelyn, and feel its up
to me to own it. You're not marrying
saint, you know"
The fair-hairod woman in the big
big armchair looked up at him sweet
ly out of innocent blue eyes: Dear,
| do know" she said gently.
He moved uncomfortably. But it's
just what you don't know" he told
her, that I'm worrying about. I'm
not thinking of cards and racing, and
things like that. It's about women
| want to speak to you. Especially
one woman" He paused, and bit his
lip nervously.
"Ah!" said the woman softly. look.
ing down.
She was a nice little thing" went
on the man. Not quite lady, you
know. but very pretty and all that.
+. Her father drank. She ran
away from home. Hadn't friend In
the world when picked her up Only
the streets in front OF her A good
woman like you. Evelyn, cant realize
what the horror of that means. Il
l took 4 Hat for her"
All" said the woman softly, look.
ing down.
Il lived with her more or less for
three years. went on the man. gather.
ing courage from her passiyeness.
She was very grateful for all | had |
lone for her; she was really quite a |
nice little thing. But, of course, that's
Ill over and done with now. set
led up finally with her today. Ishal
lever see her again. There was no
'eason for you ever to know, Evelyn,
'nly that | felt 1t wouldn't be quite
'laying the game not to tell you"
What has become of the grl?"
lsked the woman, still softly and still
ooking away.
The man shrugged his shoulders,
Still in the fiat, presume" he said
The rent is paid up TIL
December" Ills voice became pcrsua.
i've. He bent down so that his face
vas very near the coils of fair hair
wound smoothly round her head.
Don't lets talk about her any more"
@ urged. ITS all finished and done
'ith. Now, don't frown, but just kiss
he. and say You forgive me"
You're a very naughty boy. Jack"
aid the woman reprovingly. but she
II nm wind her smooth white arms
ound his neck, as he knelt beside her
II the floor. Then If you promise
ever, never 10 do it again. I'll forgive
ou." she said prettily.
He caught her. flushed and smiling
him tiercely. My saint" he breath.
d upon her mouth.
In daintily furnished room of 4 IL.
70 nat in Queens Club Gardens, a
oman lay dead upon the bed with an
mpty phial in her hand. There were
aces Of tears upon her Nhi.s. cold
leeks; her closed eyelids were svoY.
4. Her lover had failed ber There 9
othlng before her but The streets.
SO she too. had "n'aKnd flln .-t,,.., :,