Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1922-09-01
The Game of
Love
BY JUSTIN WENTWcOD

Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union
Hugh, by heavens!"
Hugh's figure, side by side with
Aucys, paced through the dark, and
Henry Wilcox watched them somberly
from the window of his office.
Al hrSt hideous thoughts filled his
heart, but then he grew calmer. He
hau no great passions all that he had
lie hau bestowed upon those two. 1t
was life. 1t was what he should have
expected.
He would live on and on In his
great. lonely house, us he had done SO
many years.
denry Wilcox had never married.
lie had loved in youth and he had been
betrayed. All his love had gone out to
his nephew. Hugh. whom he had TAX
en- In Childhood from his dissOlute
brother, and To his ward, Lucy Pendle.
lie had adopted her. too. when her
la'her. 4 distant cousin of his. had
uied. mat was years ago. And she
had twined herself round his heart.
Lucy was twenty-five. Henry Will
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 it would be Hugh.
hugh and she had grown up together
from childhood. 1t was a year since
they had met, and now
Well. he had been a 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 him. She would never
know how 1t scared his heart. that
touch of her lips on his.
Had a good time, young people?"
he asked cheerify.
Pretty good" said Hugh "Ry the
way, Uncle, you know I'm leaving in
the morning? I've got something I
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 n time when he al
most thought that Lucy cared for him.
What a 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.
II hope you'll be very happy" he con-
tinued.
Lucy's eyes filled with tears. "Oh,
my dear, II YOU could know" she
murTnured
"Now won't have you crying
when you've nothing but happiness In
store for you!" 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
murmured.
She looked Mt him in such a strange
way rs she went out of the room. He
wondered whether she guessed his
feeling for her. Yes, women were in
tuitive. 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.
"Iou wanted to see me, Hugh r.
asked Wilcox.
Eyes" answered Hugh, looking a
little sheepish.
ats about Lucy, I suppose?"
at is said Hugh. There was a sort
Of strange challenge in his voice.
"IOu want to marry herr"
"NO. 1 DON'T" answered Hugh. and
Wilcox stared at him in establishment.
II don't understand YOU" he said
coldly. Il thought YOU and she cared
for each other"
1--WE 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 gooseberry ever
since / 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-I think that's
her idea Of-SOrt of encouraging him.
because he'll never speak unless he
thinks he has a chance" He claSped
his uncle'S hand. II guess it's all
right. isn't it:' he said. "Good luck"
You Internal scoundrel!" ejaculat.
cd Wilcox.
But he could not trust himself to
say another word. And he could hardly
believe. He waited. watching IIugh'S
1.-the figure disappear down the drive.
and then went into Lucy.
"My dear, I'm an old fool, and per-
haps I misunderstood him. But he
gave Inc to understand that your
heart was engaged. Is it7'
"Why, my dear, it's been engaged
ever since can remember!" Lucy an
swered.
"To-to-"
She put her arms softly about his