The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1892-03-03
THE SILVER CUP.
How Sidney Won the Champion
ship Game.

SulR 0SIhOs
Stockley is one of the largest manu-
featuring towns in the English high
lands Sidney Drew was mechanical
engineer and the champion draughts
player of the StoclSney Polytechnic in.
stitute.
Besides being captain of the Dxaughts
club, Drew was a universal favorite
founded on sterling qualities of char
acter, for nearly every body knew how
the poor lads father had died when he
was ten, lie avng the boy and his wild
owed mother to battle with a poverty
before unknown to them. The reso-
lutte but cheerful lad worked by day
and studied diligently by night at the
Polytechnic institute; until now, at
twenty-five, he had just been appoint
ed to his first really lucrative position
in the great engineering work at Mer-
ton, a little suburb of Stocliley. Some
three months prior to this gratifying APP
pointment he had met at q concert and
fallen in love with Eva Nile, slender
blonde nearly twenty, as sweet and Sc
ductive to contemplate as the Gloire
Dijon among roses
They were engaged before this good
fortune came to him, for Cupid had led
him captive to Merton's old church
every Sabbath ever since the first
meeting. 1t was the Sunday night be.
fore Christmas they had fingered by
her fathers gate a lovers fifteen min
utes, which we all know is not meas
ured by mundane standards He had
told her of his good fortune. Might
she make known their engagement to
her girl friends? Only her sister Gym
thia had known of it so far Yes; and
he grew mcltingly tender and dilated
on the happy prospects before them,
and would doubtless have gone on di-
lating indefinitely had not Eva's eldest
sister called from the door: EVA, have
you forgotten the timc?" II really
must go now Good night, Sydney"
said his sweetheart, with tone of re-
grot.
Goodnight, Eva," answered the
young man, as he tendcrly drew her to
him and pressed fervent kiss upon
her inviting lips. Then, with an un-
conscious sigh, she tripped lightly up
the walk, while he, buoyant with
the ecstasy of first love, started for
home. Suddenly he heard her return
ing footsteps and her voice calling:
"Oh, Sidney, Sidncy!' He returned
and asked: Eyes, what is it, Eva?"
"Sidney, I-I-I'd forgot. I would
like to have you come and help us to
decorate the church next Wednesday
night" "wednesday night?" Eyes,
Sidney, Pm on the committee. It's
such jolly fun. All the girls will be
there. Won't you Gomez"
"Wednesday" he repeated; 81 fear I
can't come that night" why not?"
By this time Cynthia had joined them.
"Yes, why not?" she echoed ''Oh, I've
got to play at the Poly-er-that is,
I've promised to be there on that even
lng," he replied, somewhat >embar-
rassed. "But, Sidney, can't you post
pone it-for my sakc?" She added the
last three words with an artful pout
that would have conquered most men.
81 fear can't, Eva," he replied. firmly
but tcnderly.
Cant" she replied. suddenly piqued
1t was SO calling to be refused this re-
quest before "Cinny." Her pretty
features gradually assumed look OF
|
cuse me for urging YOU I'd forgotten
you refused to come to our concert last
Wenesday night" But, Eva, I'll put
an end to these Wednesday affairs af-
ter this week" "Oh, pray don't on my
account" she answered coldly. What
is your engagement" asked "Cinny."
'Its with-er-my friend Jack Held
ing" Then turning to Eva he fervent-
ly said: Believe me, Eva, would
like to tell you all bout it, but" II
haven't asked you," answered the per-
verse beauty. ''Pray don't let me de-
tain you any longer goodnight" and
taking Cinny's arm she abruptly left
him. Such are the whimsical turns in
the fever of love.
He looked after a moment regret
fully, then started for home, musing as
he went: "Why did ever consent to
enter this contest for cup? If it hadn't
been for that, should not have to dis
appoint Eva. But I've won it two
years in succession; If l win it this
year it becomes mine absolutely, and
it's a trophy to be proud of. l will
win it!' he said, resolutely. 'I've got
the lead of one game over Snigs and
and only two more to play. Eva, you
are provoked with me tonight, but you
will be proud Of that cup when you
see it on our little sideboard in the lit
tie house intend to have ready for
you. my darling, next SPRING"
Sidney had obtained his excellent
situation from Eva's father, stoical
outspoken old Ben Nile, manager of
the works. When being questioned
at the time of his taking on as to his
recreation, habits and pastimes he had
admitted his fondness for draughts-
playing. ''Then you must give it up"
old Ben had insisted. mo man can
be trusted to do accurate work who
muddles his head with such rubbish!
We won't have it," So Sidney then
and there agreed to give it up in defer