The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-04-10
Ifnot paid in advance, $l.25.


Sitting in his noble hall was the Archdukt
John of Austria. On the table boloro him
was ches5-board and a huge golden goblet
filled to the brim with his iavorite wine
the genial JohannIsberger. Archduke John
was very brave and generous man. High
spirited and imperious, he at times governed
with gentleness, but often with the cway o
a despot. He was an inveterate chess play
er-every leisure moment was devoted tc
the study and practice of the game. In.
deed, one room Of his palace was marked Of
in squares, and on that extensive board he
played games, using living human beings
for chess men. A door opened, and the
chamberlain informed the duke that lady
desired to speak with him on matters of i'm
portance. Should she be admitted? ? The
duke gave sign of assent. The door closed
and opened again in few moments to adj
nit the lady. When the door had again
closed, and the lady found herself alone
with the duke, she knelt before him.
clay aside your vail, which completely
concedls your features. We like not to re.
ccivo prayers or petitions from one afraid or
ashamed to show her face" said the prince,
gravely.
With a gesture in which pride and fear
were mingled, the vail was thrown back,
disclosing the beautiful features of the Lo.
doiska Won Carmiola. Prince John could
scarcely suppress a start of astonishment
and admiration as he looked at the extra.
ordinary beauty of the face before him.
"Ah, whom have we here ?" he asked.
"a poor girl who asks tor mercy and pro-
tection- Lodoiska Won Carmiola."
"The name methinks / have heard. Aha!
but now we gave written order for your
marriage. What brings you here, fair
lady"
Despair /" she repledj and the beauti-
ful head dropped.
"Like you not your future spouse Me-
thinks we heard you did,
"Nay, sire. A base unprincipled man is
the Count Won Kardozag. prefer death to
a life with him."
as hatred for his character the sole reas-
on for this disinclination to wed him ?" ard
the duke bent his dark eyes upon the face
before him.
A deep blush for a moment overspread
the pale face of the girl, adding another
charm as she said
"To you, my prince, the truth may be
told. love and am betrothed to another
Count Victor Won Ernstein."
''We know him--a brave soldier and q
faithful subject. Ilear, Countess Lodoiska
you have come too late" said the archduke
in his perplexity laying aside the "we.'
Scarcely an hour ago | signed paper en-
forcing your aunt's wishes"
"Alas! know it," said Lodoiska. "Fo
the love Of Heaven recall, annul it. Sav,
me from such fatep'
Prince John leaned back in his chair il
deep thought. Tho sight of her dis,res
troubled the really kind hearted archduke
Suddenly he raised his head, while a smil
; spread over his face.
81 see it all now" he said; "I cannot talk
back my promise, but will half retract anC
the matter shall be decided by a game 0
chess. Yes, yes, Dlke Albert Won Czort
kow shall be my opponent, the Count Vol
: Kardozag shall be king of the red chess
, men, your aunt tho queen. You will b
| queen of the white men, and your betrothe,
; Count Victor Won Ernstein, shall be you
} castle. In my chess room with human be
e ngs l will play. Ifthe red king be check
| mated, you are free; if not"
e "Heaven help mel" exclaimed the des
. pairing girl almost involuntary.
, The cry excited the rage of the imperiou
< duke, who asked, with fierce scowl on hi
t face, GLOW, doubt cur skill? Tho game
e ours, of course, you are free to wed whom
soever you please. If we lose, YOU mu!
= abide by the command given your aun
t We have decided. You may retire"
With heavy heart Lodoiska left the hal
Was the prince, so proud of justice, to settl
such question by game of chess, wher'
= in one false move and all might be lost
> There was nothing left but to wait patientl
l. the issue of the game, praying to Heave
c that the prince might be victorious.
All Vienna rang when the story was know,
= Few knew what the question was, but a
knew that question of great important
, was to be settled by the Archduke John /
u, II game of chess, in which living huma
beings were to take the part Of chessmal
The day before the one appointed for Il
4. singular game, Lodoska sought an inte
view with Duke Albert Won Czortkow. 81
was shown into an elegantly furnished apar
ment, and the duke came to receive her.
!, al am the Countess Lodoska Won Ca
Il miola, to decide whose fate you are about
play a game of chess with Prince John"
4 allow can serve you ?" he asked.
q "By playing as poorly as possible
losing the game"
!. "That cannot be-" returned the duk
= prince John knows that play well al
should fail in my usual skill, and gi'
O him undue advantage, it would ruin ALL"
"The fame of your playing is spret
e through the kingdom, but the most sliillf
It may make one false move. will give y,
,i anything you ask, duke, il you will lose Il
game"
"Well, then, suppose ask for yourself
y your own fair sef?'
e One lightning glance and Lodosika wal
+ ed proudly to the door. There she paused
1. "The world speaks of Duke Won Czortko
as a gentleman. l know him now. Pl,
the game as skillfully as you can Meth
r expect nor wish any thing from you" 81
At bowed and was gone.
p Had Loioiska been witness to an into
ig view between the Duke Won Czortkow al
ID Count Won Kardozag, she would have wa
s. ed to the end of the game. The duke W
" O gamblerand the large sum Of money Off
's ed him by his friend the count made hi
a anxious TO win the game.
Al. l.