The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1922-10-12
The Game Of
Love
By JUSTIN wENTwOoD

trum the window of his Office
Al hrst hidcous thoughts nIled his
heart. but then he grew cnlmer. H.
had tao great passions; all that he had
he had bestowed upon those two. II
was life. II was what he should have
expected
lie would live on and on la his
great. lonely house. us he had lone M
many years
Henry Wilcox had never married.
lie had loved In youth and be had been
betrayed. All his love had gone out Ia
his nephew. Hugh. whom be- had TAX.
en- Ia childhood from his dlssolute
brother. aud To- his ward. Lucy P.ndle.
lie had adopted her. too. when her
father. u distant cousin 81 his. had
died. That was years age. And she
had tvined herself round his heart.
Lucy was twenty-five. Henry VII.
cox was exactly twice her age. lie
had always known the day mus, come
when he would lose her. Hut he had
not expected that u would BE- Hugh
Hugh aud she had grown up together
from childhood. IL was year since
they had met. and now
Well, he had been a fool to cherish
those dreams of her. An old foot. Tor
what part had youth with agel A
mad fool. TO dream that Lucy could
ever grow 10 care for him.
They were coming In. lie read m.
happiness In their faces. Lucy cam. to
him and kissed him. She would never
know how II scared his heart. tina,
touch 81 her lips on his.
Had good time. young pecpler'
he asked cheerily.
Pretty good" said Hugh "Ry the
way, Uncle. you know I'm leaving in
the mornlngl I've got something Z
want to say 10 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 time when he al.
most thought that Lucy cared for him.
What fool he had been
lie went into the living room. Good
night. my dear" he said. taking her
into his arms and kissing her again.
Il hope you'll be- very happy" he con.
tinucd.
Lucy's eyes filed with tears. -oh.
my dear, II you could know" she
"Now won't have you CRYING
when you've nothing but happiness In
store for you" said Wilcox. You
women don't seem Ia know the differ.
,nce between smiles and tears"
They're not always very far from
zach other. are they. my dearf" Lucy
She looked NJ him IN such a strange
way as she went on, ~ the room lie
wondered whether she GUESSED his
feeling Tor her Yes. women were IN.
'uitive' Lucy must have known.
lie waited for Hugh NEXT morning IN
Ms office lIugh came running down
he stairs carrying his travelling has.
youthful. vigorous. alert.
You wanted 10 see me. Hushr'
,sked Wilcox.
"Yes" answered Hugh looklng a
little sherpish
"Its about Lucy. supposef"
''it Is" said Hush. There was sort |
q strange challenge In his voice.
"you want 90 marry herr"
"No. don't" answered Hugh. and !
Wilcox stared NJ him Ia establishment. |
Il don't understand you" he said /
oddly. Il thought you and she cared
or each ether"
I'VE 10. nil right. but not In that 4
way. Uncle Henry. The fact f.. We get /
N each others nerves drcadfully. But \
We been playing goos.berry ever
lnce I cam. back You see. Lucy
ninks she's In love with another man
hut she isn't sure he cares for her
ourselves think that's
Ter idea of--sort ~ encouraging him.
'ecause he'll never speak unless he
links he has n chance" lie claspei
Is uncle's hand. Il guess It's all
tight. isn't itf" h. said. "Good luck"
"you Internal scoundrel :" eiaculat
Il Wilcox
But he could not trust himself 90
ny another word. And he could hardly
elle,e. lie waited. watching Hugh's
the figure disappear down the drive.
nd then went into Lucy.
My dear. I'm an old fool. aud per.
APPS misunderstood him. Hut he
ave me to understand that your
cart was engaged. l. ~"
"Why. my dear. rs been engaged
yer since ! can remember" Lucy an-
wered
'''TO-to-r"
She put her arms softly about his
eek. And I was sure you cared. and
here wasn't any other way, guardian.
ear" she murmured.