Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-02-14
CHECKMATE.

CHECKMATE.
Old Mr.. Archer WAS a devoted chess
player and an expert. at that. He held
chess to be the only game bit for gen.
tieman There were few of his acquaint-
ances who could cope with him. and but
one Of them who could match him fair
ly. That was James Bittles, his lawyer.
Ii was q close contest between the two
first one ahead and then the other.
Bittles stood high at the bar, but he
mainly won and retained Archer's con-
ddence by his ability as chess player.
He vas barely 40. and Archer maintain
ed that by the time he reached 20 he
would surpass all those around.
Archer had u daughter his only
child. Her father had married late in
life, and ten years after the birth Of the
girl her mother had died. Lefty held Q
place in his heart next to chess itself. A
bright, lively and pretty girl was Lefty
Archer, and she would be an heiress u
something over q million. Her father
feared she would become the prey Of q
fortune hunter, and endeavored to avert
it BY the provisions Of his will. He neg
lected to execute his testament, how
ever, until Lefty was nearly twenty
years old, anda spinster still. II was none
too soon, for the week after he died sud
denly Of an apoplectic fit.
When the will was opened it was found
that Bittles was named sole executor and
constituted guardian Of Lefty until she
was 81, and trustee OF all the estate, real
and personal The conditions Of the
trust were that, If Lefty married with
the consent Of Bittles, the trustee was
to turn over to her all the property on
the day of the wedding, and SO long al
she remained unmarried after 81 to pay
her the rents and the interest as they &c
crued; but If she married without his
consent. she was to receive only five
thousand year. and tho residue OF the
estate beyond that necessary to secure
this payment was to be conveyed to a
third party or her heirs. This third party
was described as:
Catherine Sinclair, daughter Of Cor
don Sinclair, now or late OF the city Of
Baltimore, and the state of Maryland. If
she be still single; or. If she be married
woman. then to the said Catherine Sin
clair, by whatever name she may be now
known. to her and her heirs forever.
A further provision was that in case
the said Catherine Sinclair. by whatever
name she might be known. was dead,
and had left an heir or heirs. the proper
" over and above the reserved amount
in the contingency mentioned was given,
devised and bequeathed TO him. her or
them Who Catherine Sinclair or her
father was, Lefty could not tell. nor
could the lawyer, but it was suggested
that it was an early fame of Archer's.
Some thought that the possible legatee
was mythical, and brought forward to
scare Lefty from making an imprudent
match But the power Of Bittles in the
matter was as absolute as pen and ink
could make it.
Bi,tles proved himself to he vigilant
guardian and {. careful trustee-guard-
Ing his ward against adventures, and
managing the estate with prudence and
vigor Everything went well until about
ten months after Archer's death. Then
the current Of affairs ripplel little.
Lefty aud Bittles both fell in love-IAtty
with Carter Cooke. a young man who be-
ionged to what. before the late war, was
known as lone of the first families #
Virginia. and Bittles. in spite Of hH
forty -one years. with Lefty, who did not
care snap for him. looking upon the
middle aged bachelor Us venerable per-
son, and bestowing her heart upon his
younger rival. Love is like the measles,
anil IL we be attacked with it in middle
age, the disorder assumes an aggravated
form. Bittles had a very severe attack
indeed
Lefty might well be excused for recifl
rocating the feelings Of Carter Cooke
The young man was not only by blood,
but by culture and associations. . gentle
man. with no censurable habits, and
with polished manners. He had well
propor,iuned figure, as we'll ~ a pleasing
face: and he did not even drop his RS. as
20 nanv Of the tidewater Virginians do
he was well liked in New York, where
he spent about half Of the year; and
though not by any means fifth as rich
as Lefty would be, was possessed of a
handsome competence Bittles pro-
bounced him to be fortune hunter, and
frowned upon his suit, really because it
interfered with the one he wished to
make. Lefty was not Of an age to re-
fleet on the serious consequences of her
guardians disapproval. and. had she
been, her cheerful temper would have
led her to optimism. Then Carter Cooke
vas skillful chess player, and Lefty.
who had been taught by her father. was
about as expert as he. which strength
ened the bond between them.
The wooing went On in spite Of the
frowns OF Bittles. and the latter began
to show the bitterness Of defeat. This
was seen when the young lover with
Letty's consent. made formal proposal
to the guardian for the band of hi, ward.
No, sir; decidedly. nor replied Bit
ties. Il have nothing against you per-
souailv. Mr.. Cooke Your respectability
is undoubted; but do lot consider you,
nor will any one else. match for Miss
Archer in fortune. have examined the
statemen: your counsel laid before me.
and find you have barely four Thousand
q year, while the properly Of my ward
Yields twelve times that amount, most of
it in real estate that is rising in value. |
shout lie false 10 my duty If approved
Of the match under suci circumstances.
Very good, sir, retorted Cooke. Far
be 1t from me to say that disappointed
pretensions Of your own prompt your
refusal. will admit that it is a mere
sense Of duty, if that. admission pleases
you But am authorized by Lefty to
say that when she arrives at the age of
81. should your consent to our marriage
be refused, We will marry without il.
That will be the next move on the board.
Mr.. Bttltes.r
"fou are playing . costly game, sir
"Not at all, sir. At all events. l sball
call on the bishop to capture your queen,
replied Cooke, good hnmoredly, and
bowed himself out Of the Office With
mock courtesy.
When Lefty heard Of this positive ~
fuaAl. in spite Of her svowed oootsmp4
for money. she was disposed to Be down
csst. But Carter whispered to her -
cret, proverbially dangerous thing 10
do to . woman, and Lefty, altar look
Of establishment, burst into . ripple of
dlvefy laughter.
"Oh. you dear, delightful Csrtsrr shs
exclaimed. Who would have thooehs
it!'
And LEFTY renewed her laughter. fos
ths secret seemed TO hes tbs most comicsl
thing In the world.