Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-04-13

might sssn. as near him in age as I really was.
was at this time little over ffteep-just
Olives age; but girl always appears older
than boy of the Same age, and though very
youthful and simple in some ways, she had a
quiet dignity and selfassertion Of her own
which was quite equal to that Of woman.
The weeks passed quickly by, and my vaca-
ton was drawing to close. The long rest,
combined with change Of air and scene, had
greatly recruited my strength, and I felt in
better health than I had done for long
time past. My mind, too, had acquired more
healthy tone, Notwithstanding the jars which
my sensibilities occasionally received, and
which, indeed, were quite as much the result
of my own fancy as of any carelessness or un-
kindness on the part Of others. In fact moth
ing could exceed the kindness and tenderness
which were lavished upon me; and if still
felt that I was regarded as too much Of q
child, yet 1 could not but experience senti-
ment of qualification at being the object of so
much attention. ...". '..
1t was during the last week of my stay,
that the harmony which had lately reigned
amongus was disturbed by an untoward oc.
eurrence, which happened in this wise.
1 had been teaching Olive chess, game Of
which she knew nothing but the moves and
we were one afternoon engaged in playing,
when Rudolph came in. He stood by US in
silence for awhile, until false move on my
part made him utter sudden exclamation,
and Olive looked up. .....
"What is the matter 2" she asked. "
"Nothing," said I little sharply and Ru-
dolph laughed. ~. .-..
"But it is something" she persisted. ibid
1 make any mistake"
-a"You did not" he replied, still laughing,
but in very good.natured way. The empha'
sis of bis reply made his meaning clear, and
she, of course, directed her attention especial
ly to the position of my pieces; and although
not yet very expert, she almost Immediately
discovered the mistake I had made.
"Ahp she cried gleefully, "nos0 I see. I
have you, Mr.. Phillip-here goes your
queer" !" and suiting the action to the word,
she pounced upon the luckless queen and
bore her off in triumph.
"Now I shall get the game" she continued,
with much satisfaction "shall I not, Ru'
dolph"
"If you play we'll, you will" he replied.
"Help me, then," she said, coaxingly.
"Phillip won't mind, because I am so igno-
rant of the game" '
was secretly much vexed, but I put on as
Indifferent manner as l could assume, and
continued to play, with negligent air, put
ting my hands in my pockets in the intervals
Of moving, glancing out of the window, and
occasionally yawning slightly, as if to express
weariness; not very polite conduct, it must
Be confessed. Olive, however, either did not
or would not notice it. She chatted as pleas
antly as possible, appealing frequently to Ru.
dolph, and eliciting some gay reply, until I
said sarcastically-
II thought chess was silent game, proper.
ly played"
$50 it ought to be- forgot" she replied.
"Come, Rudolph, don't make me laugh any
more" ...... ,.:..
"Why, does Phil bind you down so strictly
to rules and regulations p he rejoined. "That
isn't fair, as you are only learning"
81 suppose" said I, "if a thing is worth
learning, it is worth learning in the right
way"
"That is true," said Olive, amiably. "I
won't talk any more, then."
All this time though feigning Indifference,
I was playing my very best, and putting forth
strenuous efforts to win. For I was nettled
at Rudolph's championship, and resolved not
to let it benefit my adversary if I could help
it. Usually rather strove to give her the ad-
vantage over me, and was gratifed at her
success; but with their joint forces against me,
1 was quite determined to carry the day. For
some time the game was undecided; Rudolph
played very nearly as we'll as l did, and now
made some excellent moves, or rather Olive did
at his suggestion. My queen, however, was
gone, and this put me at a disao 7lntage,
which fully counterbalanced whatever supe-
rior skill might possess, and l soon became
aware that I was losing ground. Igrew irri-
tated, and made another rash move-got my.
self into an inextricable dilemma, and Olive,
planting her castle in front of my king, tri-
umphantly exclaimed, "Checkmate" |"
"Bravo, Olive" said Rudolph, clapping his
hands. "You did that famously."
"Well, but can't take much credit for it
after all, because you helped me, you know"
she replied. ...... ....
engaged myself in replacing, with forced
calmness, the pieces on the board, though
without any intention of playing again. My
heart was beating tumutuously with passion,
and 1 was obliged to occupy myself to con-
ceal my feelings. Her winning the game,
had she done it without help, would have, by
no means, disturbed me, but it was my broth
er's interference which so greatly resented.
"Shall we try another game, Phillip" asked
my pupil, quite unconsciously.
"No," said I, in trembling voice. 81
think, if you desire to play again, you had
best take Rudolph for your adversary-1
must decline the honor"
My words, and still more the tone in which
they we're uttered, of course betrayed the vex'
alton I felt: Both my companions glanced at
me in SURPRISE Then Olive turned red, ind
I saw her give Rudolph an appealing glance.