The herald., 1913-07-03
A GAME
OF BLUFF
Bv ESTHER VANDEVEER


Of fact fellow. was engaged to Lucy
Ashurst, a butterfly. Oglethorpe was
much in love with his tiancee. but one
thing about her troubled him very
much. After settling his affections
upon one girl he had no desire what
ever to pay any attention to any other
and could not see why Lucy must
needs accept the attentions OF other
men.
One day he demonstrated with her
upon what he called flirting after her
engagement TO him and told her that
If she continued it he would break the
engagement A young girl-Lucy, at
any rate-is like a child whose ruling
passion is to carry disobedience as far
as possible without getting whipping
Lucy let her lover ''scold." as she
called it. TO his hearts content without
making a reply. While he was laying
down the law to her'-this was also
an expression of hers with regard to
his lectures-she was laying plans for
breaking his injunctions.
During the next few weeks after this
laying down the law" Lucy fiirted
more than ever Adrian bore 1t stoical-
ly till he had made up his mind to car
ry out his threats, then wrote her a
note breaking the engagement
Lucy. who had expected something
of the kind and was prepared for ii.
paid no attention to his note whatever
That which a child most breads IS
'the dark" On the same principle
that which an adult most breads is IN
certainty. If Lucy had pleaded with
him. upbraided him. even scorned him.
he would have been ready for her, but
to be left without any notice whatever
of his discarding her was like the child
in the dark-it appalled, him
But Oglethorpe was a metbodical
chap. and as soon as he got on his
thinking cap he solved the problem
Either Lucy was ready to break with
him for some other man or she was
bluffing. II it was for another man
the fact would soon be apparent; II
she was bluffing that was a game at
which two could play. Moreover, II
she had replaced him in her affections
he was not likely to win her back
again. for. he argued, women who
crave a multiplicity of lovers are not
apt to return to an old one. They must
have something new.
Adrian waited for developments
Lucy when under his observation at
functions would look lovingly upon her
attendant. but Adrian thought she over
did II, that she was doing 1t for his
benefit. Time passed. and he did not
hear Of her encouraging any particu-
lar man. Then, beginning to tire Of
the estrangement, he began to lay his
plans to bring about a more definite
situation. He had thus far treated her
as an acquaintance, friend. He now
began to bow to her when he met her
with extraordinary politeness. Lucy
retaliated by out-Heroding Herod. II
he bowed low to her she returned his
Gvility with a cordially that might
but not to man to whom she had
been engaged.
Then came a period of self reproach
to Adrian for his sudden and decided
breaking Off of the engagement. Had
he not placed an insurmountable bar
rier between him and the girl he loved
She could not seek him. If they were
to get together again he must 60 to
her. And what would that involve?
Nothing less than an apology for his
action and begging her forgiveness.
This is the usual outcome between
man and woman, but this is an IN
usual case. II he succumbed 1t would
mean that, provided he was forgiven.
he would marry q woman whose love
for admiration would outweigh her
love for her husband.
The panic induced by the thought
that he had raised an insurmountable
barrier between them having been al
layed. Adrian determined to play Q
card that up to this time be would
have scorned to play. Indeed, he had
never thought Of playing 1t till it had
been suggested to him.
what II the matter between yor
and Lucy Ashurst?" asked an attrac
tive widow Of him one day.
Adrian told her the story.
THAT is very easily settled" she
said.
"HowY
"You believe the lady is blufiing7'
81 am sure of it."
every well. We can soon find thai
out. Be my cavalier for awhile. Il
she has turned from you to another
she will not mind your devotion tc
me. II she still loves you she vii
make peace at once"
"It will require some time. I sup
poser
"Not II I know my sex"
During the next function at which
these three conspirators met Mr.. Ogle
thorpe devoted himself to the widow
or, rather. the widow devoted herself
to Mr.. Oglethorpe.
"Did you see that scared look on he
face?" she asked him when they pass
ed Miss Ashurst.
mo. Did you?"
Certainly. She may not be afrait
of you, but she is deathly scared O
me. You will hear from her yer.
soon"
And he did. The next day he re