Life — July 23, 1908 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Hearts" - A Story About Bridge and Romance This page from *Life* magazine contains a short story titled "Hearts" about a bridge game that becomes a romantic turning point. The narrative describes how the narrator's cousin invited them to play bridge, where they met a woman partner. During play, the narrator made deliberate mistakes to appear less skilled, hoping to impress her. When the woman pointed out the errors, the narrator admitted they were intentional—a clumsy romantic gesture. The two illustrations show: (top) a playing card (Jack), and (bottom) a beach scene labeled "Flotsam," depicting a woman with an umbrella by the shore. The story uses bridge and card-playing as metaphors for courtship and romantic vulnerability, appealing to early 20th-century *Life* readers interested in both games and romantic humor.