Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-11-25
The Game of
Love
b. yUsTIN WENTWoop

Hugh, by heavens !"
Hugh's figure, side by side with
Lucy's. paced through the dark. and
Henry Wilcox watched them somberIy
from the window Of his office.
At first hideous thoughts filed bis
heart but then he grew calmer He
had no great passions all that he had
he had bestowed upon those two. II
was life. II was what he should have
expected.
He would live on and on Ia his
great, lonely house, as he had done so
many years.
Henry Wilcox had never married.
lie had loved In youth and he had been
betrayed All his love had gone out to
bis nephew, Hugh, whom he had tax.
en- Ia childhood from his dissolute
brother, and 10 HIS ward. Lucy Peudle.
He had adopted her. too, when her
father, distant cousin Of his, had
died. That was years ago. And she
had twined herself round his heart
Lucy was twenty-five. Henry WI
cox was exactly twice her age, He
had always known the day must come
when he would lose her But he had
not expected that 1t would be Hugh.
Hugh and she had grown up together
from childhood. II was year since
they had met, and now
Wen, he had been fool to cherish
those dreams of her An old fool for
what part had youth with age7 A
mad fool, to dream that Lucy could
ever grow to care for him.
They were coming In. He read the
happiness In their faces. Lucy came to
him and kissed bin. She would never
know how IL scared his heart, that
touch Of her lips on his.
Had good time, young peopler'
he asked cheerlly.
Pretty good" said Hugh. by the
way, Uncle. you know I'm leaving In
the morning? I've got something /
want TO say to you first"
Tomorrow morning" said Wilcox,
with the mad desire to postpone his
inevitable fate
And he paced his room for hours.
There had been a time when he al
most thought that Lucy cared for him.
What fool he had been
He went into the living room. Good
night, my dear" he said, taking her
into his arms and kissing her again.
Il hope you1l be very happy" he con
tinued
Lucy's eyes filled with tears. "Oh
my dear, If you could know :" she
murmured.
Now l won't have you crying
when you've nothing bat happiness IN
store for your said Wilcox you
women don't seem to know the differ
ence between smiles and tears"
They're not always very far from
each other. are they my dear?' Lucy
muruured
She looked AZ him In such strange
way as she went out Of the room. He
wondered whether she guessed his
feeling for her Yes, women were IN
tultlve Lucy must have known
He waited for Hugh next morning in
his Office Hugh came running down
the stairs, carrying his travelling bag.
youthful. vigorous. alert
You wanted 10 see me, Hugh 2
asked Wilcox.
Yes" answered Hugh, looking =
little sheepish
ITS about Lucy, I suppOsef"
ut is" said Hugh There was a sort
Of strange challenge In his voice
you want to marry herr
'No, don't" answered Hugh. and
Wilcox stared at him Ia establishment
Il don't understand you" he said
coldly II thought you and she cared
for each other
I'VE do. all right, but not in that
way, Uncle Henry The fact Is. We get
on each others nerves dreadfully But
I've been playing gooseherry ever
since l came back You see, Lucy
thinks she's In love with another man
but she isn't sure he cares for her
and between ourselves think that's
her idea of-sort OF encouraging him
because he'll never speak unless he
thinks he has a chance He Clasped
Ills hAt &c > iAAtANs kataS II = hi
right. isn't III" he said Good luck =
you Internal scoundre /" elaculat
ed Wilcox
BGt he could not trust himself Ia
SAY another word. And he could hardly
believe Tie waited watching Hughs
1.-THE figure disappear down the drive.
aud then went Into Lucy.
My dear. I'm an old fool, and per.
haps l misunderstood him. But he
gave me to understand that your
heart was engaged Is ~"
why. my dear It's been engaged
ever since | can remember /" Lucy an
sWered
To to-"
She put her arms softly about his
neck And was sure you cared. and
there wasn't any other way. guardian,
dear, she murmured