Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-09-24
A Dangerous Game.
pY TIE AUrnoR OF "MY DEAREST HEARr.~


NO / answered. II do not believe that
for herself she thinks or cares for fortune"
Very well. l say nothing till / know.
But, circumstance as am, what AIN / to
do? i know what Crawford Garden thinksr r.
Mr.. Gascoigne was j%uDliahtly shrewd over
this, as II IL were q Machiayelian stroke.
He thinks | am going 10 manage it with
my knight-that is, with him; but nothing
of the sort. No, no! He thinks he has the
game in his own hands; but Richard Gas
coigne Is not in his doiage yet, although be
Is "a old man and a cripple. While that's
In his head l can make him useful; do you
see? can't watch the doings around me
myself, SO / am obliged TO get help. And
that help is Mr.. Crawford Garden. He's a
good player" said Mr.. Gascolgne, relapsing
Into metaphor, very skilful, and he tells
me a good deal about the moves"
"Can you trust what he tells your l ask
ell boldly.
Blind men are Obliged to trust their
guides. Would not you trust him, If you
were in my placer
mo-; l would trust no one who undertook
the Office of an informer. Why not trust
your nieces instead of this man, Mr.. Gas
coigne"
with what result? Are they always quite
frank with me? Are you certain they never
do what they think | should not approve,
and trust l shall never learn? Can you as
sure me OF that Miss Thorne?'
i was silent.
IF you ever find Carden-or have reason
TO suspect him of-making love TO my niece
Ilil1Q lnf ma Inntv fmr iAsa Knslf.- k..s -.
money he would be after. lie made my will,
ana he knows how the money Is left. But
the game Is not over yet. Do you think they
ike Carden?'
II am sure they do not"
5 much the better. Ii Is a difficult thing,
my dear, to be an old man with a lot Of
money who can't keep a watch on the board,
who IS obliged 10 play blindfolded. 1t is
difficult enough, In any circumstances, TO be
a man with money!
II always thought the puzzle was more in
getting than in spending it,"
You are wrong. Every ones first thought,
when you are rich, is how they can rob you.
You can shut up your piano now; we will
have q game-a genuine game-at chess"
was revolving in my mind a question I
wanted TO ask him, and wondering how TO
do so without being disloyal TO Annis.
You understand, / hope, Miss Thorne,
that not a word which Is said in this room
Is TO 90 farther. You have said yoE can
keep secrets. None but you and Garden UNI
derstaud this chess-5usiness: the servants
will never learn anything by listening. Not
a syllable 10 my nieces. If they knew they
were watched, the game would be over at
once. You have my confidence, shared by
not a soul In the wOrll but Garden, and only
partly by him. Give me your word of hon
or that you will never repeat a word | tell
you"
For a moment | paused.
IF you hesitate, that is enough" he said.
VI shall be sorry to lose you; but | must
have some one who can keep their own
counsel"
Il give my promise" l said slowly. Il
think II is unfair TO your nieces; but | will
bind myself to respect your wishes"
Faithfully and entirely? | trust you, re-
member. AS to my nieces, | did not ask
your opinion; but i am much obliged by il.
Now will you moveg'
Il beg your PARDON / answered; Il will
ask only one thing more. You have given
inc io commands, Mr.. G~ascoigne, as TO what
4 shouiu W. "heH l. an HOt WIN You. lou
forbidden me TO go nowhere, TO know
one"
You allude TO acquaintance with my
nephews. l give no commands TO any one,
Miss Thorne. Every one may do exactly as
they choose for themselves; / merely act by
their choice. | should be glad for you to 90
out with Lady Martin Pomeroy when Hilda
Is not inclined to do SO. | think, in her hus-
absence, she may be dull, and should
company; but this Is entirely as you
please. Except during the hours when | re-
"'tyra 5000 e~sriaas sanp a-o -. iiN~-s.- a. 10
Then moved my pawn, and the game
proceeded.