The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1912-07-20
Playing the
Game

The man was going to get married.
He had sown his wild cats. and now
be meant to settle down Well on,
good looking. a first rate sportsman, a
faYorite with men gad women alike,
the Fates spinning busily had smiled
upon him at birth and had woven only
gold threads IN the woof Of his life.
For years be had lived tne life or
the smart young man about town He
had done the same thing III the usual
way, be had been neither very good
nor bad; in his own words, the favor
ite words Of British youth. be had al
ways tried TO play the game.
It was because he felt It incumbent
upon him TO play the game that he
decided to tell the woman he was go-
ing TO marry Of certain newly closed
episode In hts 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 a foundation Of truth. as she might
hear Il from some one else; may have
counted for something. too.
Bnt the reason he gave himself as
he knotted his tie carefully before the
mirror on the fateful morning Of con
fession was that be must play the
game"
I hardly know how to tell you.
dear, he began awkwardly, standing
tall and perfectly groomed on the
hearthrug that afternoon. It's so diff
cult 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 ] feel it's up
TO me TO own it. You're not marrying
q saint, you know"
The fair-haired woman in the big
big armchair looked up at him sweet
+ " out Of innocent blue eyes: Dear,
I do know" she said gently.
4 He moved uncomfortably. But it's
Just what you don't know" he told
j her. that I'm worrying about I'm
not thinking OF cards and racing, and
things Ike that. It's about women
/ want to speak to you. Especially
one woman" He paused. and bit his
lip nerYously.
"Ahl" said the woman softly, look
/ ing down.
She was a nice little thing" went
/ on the man. sNot quite a lady, you
know, but very pretty and all that
Her father drank. She raT
away from home Hadn't friend ir
tho world when picked her up. Onll
the streets in front Of her A goo'
woman Ike you. Evelyn. can't realize
what the horror Of that means.
! / took a fat for her"
aAhi" said the woman softly. look
ing down.
= lived with her more or less 70
three yeats,' went on the man, gather
ing courage from her passiyenesE
; She was very grateful for all hal
done for her; she was really quite
nice little thing. But, Of course, that
) all over and done with now. I set
tied up finally with her today. Isbal
never see her again. There was n
reason for you ever to know, Evelyn
only that l felt it wouldn't be quit
playing the game net TO tell you"
{ What has become Of the girl?
/. asked the woman. still sOft4 and stil
4 looking away
The man shrugged his shoulders
"still In the Fat. / presume, he sal
earelessly. THE rent Is paid up tn
:. December" His vsice became persus
sive. He bent down so that his fac
was very near the coils Of fair hal
wound smoothly round her heat
Don't let's talk about her any more.
7. be urged. "Its all finished and don
with Now, don't froRn, but just kis
me, and say you forgive me-"
You're a very naughty boy, Jack,
e said the woman reproviBgly. but Sd
+ let him wind her smooth white arm
ropnd his neck. as he knelt beside he
on the floor. "Then If you promis
= never, never 10 do It again, I'll forgiv
Z you" she said prettily.
q He caught her, flushed and smilin
v to him fiercely. Ny saint" he breatl
o ed upon her mouth.