The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1912-11-27
Playing the
Game

ne nao soWn MS wild oats, and now
ae meant to settle down. Well OF,
good looking, first-rate sportsman, q
iavorite with men and women alike,
the Fates spinning busily had smiled
apon him at birth and had woven only
gold threads in the wool of his life.
For years he had lived the life Of
the smart young man about town. He
had done the same thing in the usual
way, he had been neither very good
nor bad: in his own words, the favor
lite words of British youth, he had al
ways tried to play the game"
1t was because he felt it incumbent
upon him to play the game that he
decided to tell the woman he was 60
Ing to marry Of a certain newly closed
episode in his life. 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 q foundation of truth, as she might
hear 1t from some one else. may have
counted for something. too.
But the reason he gave himself -
be knotted his tie carefully before the
mirror on the fateful morning of con
tession was that he must play tho
game"
Il hardly know how to tell you.
DEAR" he began awkwardly, standing
tall and perfectly groomed on the
aearthrug that afternoon. It's SO difn-
cult to speak to women-pure wom-
en-. like you-about certain things. but
the fact of the matter Ia. I've been an
awful rotter. Evelyn. and feel It's up
10 me to own It. You're not marrying
= saint, you know"
The fair-haired 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 its
lust what you don't know" he told
her. that I'm worrying about. I'm
aot 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 . nice little thing" went
IN the man. mot quite 4 lady. you
Know. but very pretty and all that.
Her father drank. She ran
away from homo. Hadn't q friend In
he world when picked her up. Only
he streets in front Of her. A good
woman like you. Evelyn. can't realize
what the horror of that means.
took q fat for her."
"Ah!" said the woman softly, look
.ng down.
Il lived with her more or less for
:hree years. went on the man. gather
ing courage from her passiveness.
She was very grateful for all had
lone for her; she was really quite a
aice little thing. But. of course. that's
all over and done with now. I set
led up finally with her today. shall
never see her again. There was no
reason for you ever to know. Evelyn.
only that l felt II wouldn't be quite
playing the game not to tell you"
What has become of the girl?"
asked the woman. still softly and still
looking away.
The man shrugged his shoulders.
still in the nat. presume" he said
carelessly. THE rent is paid up till
December" His voice became persuar
uiv0. no Deut uOWu sO tudt HIS ldCo
was very near the coils of fair hair
wound smoothly round her head.
Don't let's talk about her any MORE"
he urged. ITS all finished and done
with. Now. don't frown. but Just kiss
me. and say you forgive me-"
You're a very naughty boy. Jack,"
said the woman reprovingly. but she
let him wind her smooth white arms
round his neck. as he knelt beside her
ON the floor. Then II you promise
never, never to do 1t again. I'll forgive
you," she said prettily.
He caught her. flushed and smiling
to him nercely. my saintl" he breath
ID upon her mouth
In . daintily furnished room Of Lit.
lie hat in Queens Club Gardens. Q
woman lay dead upon the bed with an
empty phial in her hand. There were
traces of tears upon her white, cold
checks; her closed eyelids were swoll-
On. Her lover had failed her. There
nothing before her but the streets.
30 she, too, had played the game"