Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-08-17

face and wrinkles appear one by
one; saw her eyes DIM and the gold
OF her hair change 10 dull gray.
The little mother moved her men
slowly, depIored each separate play
and wept and lameuted over her
mistakes, constantly giving the
advantage to Death, who drew
nearer with each move aud press
ed her reIent1essly in spite of tears
and prayers.
"Be mercifuT, cruel Death. Let
me take back this one play. You
will always have tims 10 win. l
will not loose jlst yet. Will not
die"
"Neyer~ roared Death, gIAring
from his hisemptyeyesockets. "There
is no hope for you, useless Life.
You can do nothing moro in the
world"
Oh, so much - still so much"
pleaded old Lite. "You gam moth
ing fron me, and l can still be of
use In the world. If my own hap.
piness is at an end, [ can give
others joy ana add to their plea
sures.n
With these words Death made
clever move and cried, "CheckH
Obersrs heart almost stopped
beating, for lie knew that his own
life was the stake of the game.
He felt the color leave his cheeks
and his ewes start from their
sockets. He would help Life with
his skill and prevent another fool
lsh mOce, bat his tongue was para
lyzed, and his arms seemed turned
to stone.
He saw the end approaching,
Death constantly throwing out that
fearful threat, "Cleck-a a check to
Life"
Life's king was IN peril, and
there were but two possible uoves
"a wrong one. which would loose
the game, aud right one, 10y
which the king cOald save himself
behind the three remaining
pieces.
There three pieces beckO Olelt he
solitary king and seemed to have
human fAces-one the features
oil a lovely child, the second of a
sad faced woman, and the the
third OF a man, with a thoughtful ,
earnest expressiOL-,he face of
that hated creature on account of
whom Oberst had lost his well Ov.
ed sister.
With tearand anguish he wa Gu.
ed the frightened Lies trembling
fingers. Which would she plaN
If they were only both good. But
look! She grasped the king and
pushed him toward the dangerous
square.
In malevo'ent glee D;ath laugh
ed outright.
by a powerful effort OO,rst freed
himself trim the charm which held
him. "FOr heavens sake, not that
plsy-the Otherw he cried, and
throwing his arms oyer the table to
prevent the play be knocked the
figures to the floor.
Bright light Gled the room.
The sleeper awoke from his
CHASTITY dream and stared aOout
with vide opened eyes.
He was alone; the chessmen scat
tered over the carpet.
A horror stricken servant rushed
into the room. He bad heard his
masters horrible cry.
What in heavens name had hap
penedi
"Nothlng, nothing" gasped
Ojerst brushing the cold drops
from his fort head with trembling
hand.
He sprang up, and his knees
gave way beneath him, but with.
out needing this weakness, h cried;
"My hat, Joseph, and my coat
Make haste and come with me! B,
quick~
Shaking his head, the puzzled
servant hasted from the room.
A few moments later, when h'
lighted his master down the steps
be saw tears IN the old mans eye
and heard him murmur:
mo, 1t Is not too Late. | Cal
still be of uss and give others pleas
ure. Check-a check to dea b. 4
A thousand shining stars light
ed their way as they FASTENED Ou
into tue cold nj ht together.-Fron
the German, in n. o. Times Demo
drat.
---------<D -ss ~--
Little Dot Why do you pray 8
loud for things you wanti G)d ism
; deaf.