Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-12-13
PLAYING THE GAME
BY ENocH KYLE.

GI ENSSt' ~ 49,
THE man was going to get mar
RED. He had sown his wild oats,
and now he meant to settle down.
Well off, good looking, a first rate
sportsman, favorite with men and
women alike, the Fates spinning busily
had smiled upon him at birth and had
woven only gold threads in the wool
of his life.
It was because he felt it incum-
bent upon him to play the game that
he decided to tell the woman he was
going to marry of a certain newly
closed episode in his life. The con-
sideration that perhaps it would be
as we'll for her to hear the tale from
him first-hand, instead Of embroidered
with lies on a foundation of truth, as
she might hear it from some one else,
may have counted for something, too.
But the reason he gave himself as
he knotted his tie carefully before the
mirror on the fateful morning Of
confession was that he must play
the game"
81 hardly know how to tell you,
lear" he began awkwardly, standing
.all and perfectly groomed on the
learthrug that afternoon. tits so diff
Fcult to speak to women-pure wom-
en-, like you-about certain things, but
The fact of the matter is, I've been
an awful rotter, Evelyn, and I feel it's
I'D to me to own it. You're not mar
rying saint. you know
The fair-haired woman in the big
armchair looked up at him sweetly
out of innocent blue eyes: Dear, do
know" she said gently.
He moved uncomfortably. "But it's
just what you don't know" ne told her,
that I'm worrying ABOUT. I'm rot
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
neryously.
All" said the woman softly, look.
ing down.
"She was nice little thing" went
IN 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
he streets in front of her. A good
woman like you. Evelyn, can't realize
what the horror of that means.
took fat for her"
"Ah!" said the woman softly.
az lived with her more or less for
three years." went on the man, gather
ing courage from her passiveness.
She was very grateful for all | had
done for her; she was really quite
nice little thing. But, Of course, that's
Ill over and done with now. ] set
lied Up finally with her today shall
aever see her again. There was no
reason for you ever to know, Evelyn
only that I felt it 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 fiat. presume he sa!1
,arclessly. "The rent is paid Till, De
:ember" His voice became persua
;ive. He bent down SO that his face
vas very near the coils Of hair wouno
:moothly round her head. Don't let's
ak about her any more" he urged
It's all finished and done with. Now
.lon't frown, but just kiss me, and 81!
you forgive me-
You're very naughty boy, Jack,
said the woman reprovingly, but she
let him wind her smooth white arm
round his neck, as he knelt beside he:
IN the floor. Then il you promis'
never, never to do it again, I'll for.
1--WE you,' she said prettily.
He caught her, flushed and smiling
70 him fercely. "N1y saint!' h
i,reathed uDon her mouth"