The Portland daily press., 1894-08-03


his fearful opponent mutter, and as ne
raised his arm over the table to move
pawn little white hand was laid hinder
ingly on his arm.
Startled, he looked around and saw
beautiful little girl standing by his chair.
Her face was round and rosy, and her
golden hair and blue eyes were much like
his sisters when she was a child
May not play for you?" begged the
little one, and then without waiting for
an answer climbed into his lap and made
herself comfortable.
Death laughed so heartily at this per-
Torrance that one of his loose teeth fell
out and rolled to the middle of the board.
"Ho, no, you tiny Life!' he shouted. 'Do
you think you can play against the only
invincible master?'' And he ratified his
bones loudly to brighten her. Life gazed
at him with astonished eyes, as though
she did not know who Death really was.
This appeared to anger him, for he roar
ed, ''Beginl''
Eyes, yes" laughed Edfe, in pure joy,
and moved q piece SO foolishly that
Oberst's hair stood on end with fright, for
he feared that this first play would lose
the game. But, strangely enough, al
though Life had played SO incautiously,
Death seemed to be blind and made no
use of the advantage given him. More
over he played hesitatingly, as though he
felt himself no match for his laughing ad-
versary. The latter appeared to learn with
each move and played always better and
more skillfully, so that Oberst sighed with
relief and even entertained bold hopes OF
victory. He followed the game SO closely
that he scarcely noticed that the burden
in his lap grew constantly heavier, and
that the child had grown to beautiful
girl.
This young woman, with the joy of
living in her bright eyes, moved her men
boldly, almost too boldly, gaining upon
Death minute by minute and pressing
him SO hard that he seemed already half
beaten.
At last Life overlooked single move,
and Death pushed his knight into the
opening. A second poor play, and Life
lost her queen-the most beautiful piece
of the game and it's principal strength.
Oberst glared angrily at the now mature
woman; saw her alter move by move; saw
the color leave her face and the wrinkles
appear one by one; saw her eye dim and
the gold of her hair change to dull gray.
The little mother moved her men slowly,
deplored each separate play and wept and
lamented over her mistakes, constantly
giving the advantage to Death, who drew
nearer with each move and pressed her
relentlessly in spite of tears and prayers. /
s.Be merciful, cruel Death! Let me take
back his one play. You will always have
time to win. will not lose just yet. |
will not die"
'sNeverl' roared Death, glaring from
his empty eye, sockets. ''There is no hope
for you, useless Life You can do moth
ing more in the world. -
'Oh, SO much-still so much!' pleaded
old Life. You gain nothing from me,
and can still be of use in the world. If
my own happiness is at an end, | can give
others joy and add to their pleasures.
With these words Death made clever
move and cried, "Check!"
Oberst's heart almost stopped beating,
for he knew his own life was the stake of
the game.
He felt the color leave his cheeks and his
eyes start from their sockets. He would
help Life with his skill and prevent an
other foolish move but his tongue was
paralyzed and his arms seemed turned to
stone. He saw the end approaching move
| by move, Death constantly throwing out
| that fearful threat, " Check-a check to
| Life y
Life's king was in peril, and there were
but two possible moves-a wrong one,
which would lose the game, and right
one, by which the king could save himself
behind the three remaining pieces. These
three pieces beckoned the solitary king
and seemed to have human faces-one the
| features of lovely child, the second of a
| sad faced woman, and the third of a man,
| with a thoughtful, earnest expression
| the face of that hated creature on account
| of whom Oberst had lost his well loved
sister. With fear and anguish he watched
the frightened Life's trembling fingers,
| Which would she play? If they were only
both good But lookl She grasped the
| king and pushed him toward the danger
| GUS square
| In malevolent glee Death laughed out
| right.
| By powerful effort Oberst freed him
self from the charm which held him. "Fol
heavens sake, not that play-the other!'
he cried, and throwing his arms over the
table to prevent the play he knocked the
figures to the floor.
Bright light filled the room.
| The sleeper awoke from his CHASTITY
| dream and stared about with wide opened
eyes, He was alone; the chessmen scat
tered over the carpet. A horror stricken
servant rushed into the room. He had
heard his masters horrible cry. What ir
heavens name had happened?
| Nothing, nothing" gasped Oberst
brushing the cold drops from his forehead
| with trembling hand.
| He sprang up, and his knees gave way
beneath him, but without needing this
weakness he CRIED ''My hat, Joseph, ant
my coatl Make haste and come with me
Be quick!'
Shaking his head, the puzzled servant
FASTENED from the room.
| A few moments later, when he lighted
his master down the steps, he saw tears IL
the old mans eyes and heard him muir
muir: No, it is not too late I can still
be of use and give others pleasure CHECK
"a check to DEATH
| A thousand shining stars lighted theil
way as they FASTENED out into the colo
oht touether -Eroro tho Gown, =, ~, NJ axx