The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-26

raised his arm over the table to move a
pawn little white hand was laid hinder
ingly on his arm
Startled, he looked around and saw a
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 u child
May L not play for yoa:" begged tho
little one and then without waiting for
an answer climbed into His lap and lnado
herself comfortablc
Death laughed so heartily at this per
forinnncc that ono OF Isis loose teeth fell
out and rolled to tho middle of the board
io, no, you tiny i.ifc"' he shouted 80
you think you can play against the only
jnvinciole MASTERY" And he ratified his
bones loudly to frightcn her Life gazcd
at hin with GstoniSlcd eyes us though
she did not know who Death really was.
This appeared TO anger him, Tor he roar
cd, "Bcgin"
Yes ycs,H laughed Life, in pure Joy,
anu moved Il piece 50 fooishly that
Obcrst's hair stood on end with fright. Cor
he feared that this first play would lose
the game. But, strangely enough. al
though Life had played so incautiously,
Death seemed to DO blind and made no
use of the advantage given him. Moro
over he played hcstatingly, us though he
felt himself no match for his laughing adj
vcrsary. The latter appeared to learn with
each move and played always better and
moro sllillfully, SO that Obcrst sighed with
rolief and even entertained bold hopes of
victory. He followed tho game so closely
that he scarcely noticed that the burden
In his lap grew constantly heavier and
that tho child had grown to beautiful
girl.
This young woman, with tho JOY of
hor
boldly, almost too boldly, gaining upon
Death minute by minute and pressing
him 80 hard that I've seemed already half
beaten.
AT last Lifo overlooked u single move,
and Death pushed his knight t1rO tho
opening. second poor play, and Lifo
lost her quecn-thc most beautiful picce
of tho game and its principal strength.
Oberst glarod angrily ut the now mature
woman; saw her alter move by move; saw
the color leave her face and tho wrinkles
appear ono by one; saw her ego dim and
the gold of her hair change to dull gray.
The little mother moved her men slowly,
deplorcd each separate play and wcpt and
lamentcd over her mistakes, constantly
giving the advantage to Death, who drew
nearer with each move and pressed her
rclcntlcssly i'll spite of tears and prayers.
BE mcrciful, cruel Dcathl Let me tako
beck his one play You will always llnvo
time to win. | will not lose lust vet
will not do
"Ncvcr" roarcd Dcath, 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
ola Life. You gain nothing from me,
and can still be of uso in tho world. Ii
my own happiness is mt an end, can give
others JOY and add to their pleasures. -
With these words Death mado clover
move ana cried, ''Chccll"
Obcrst's heart almost stopped beating,
for he knew his own lifo was tho stake Of
tho game.
He felt the color lU,vc his checks and his
eyes start from their sockets Ho would
help Life with his skill and prevent an
other foolish move, but his tongue was
paralyZcd, and his arms seemed turned to
stone. He s;w tho ond approaching move
by move, Death constantly throwing out
that fearful threat, 'Chcck-a check to
Life"
Life's king WIS in peril, and there were
but two possible movcS-a wrong one,
which would lose the game and right
one, by which the king could save himself
bohind tho three remaining pieces. These
three pieces bcckoned the solitary king
and seemed to have human faccs-onc the
features of u lovely Child, tho second of IL
sad faced woman, and the third of u man,
with thoughtful, earnest oppression
tho face of that hated creature ON account
OF whom Obcrst had lost his well loved
sister With fear and anguish he watched
the frightened Lies trembling fingers.
Which would she play? II they were only
both good! But look! She grasped tho
king ana pushed him toward tho danger
Gus square.
In 1nalcvolcnt gloo Death laughed out
right
BY powerful effort Obcrst freed him
self from the charm which held him "For
heavens sake, not that plny-tho othcr!"
he cried, and throwing his arms over the
Table to prevent the play no knocked tho
figures to the floor.
Bright light filled tho room
The sleeper awoko from his CHASTITY
dream and stared about with wide opened
eyes He was alone tho chessmcn scat
tered over the carpet. A horror stricken
servant rushed into tho room. He had
heard his masters horrible cry What in
heavens name had happened?
Nothing nothing" gasped Oberst,
brushing the cold drops from his forehead
with trembling hand
Ho sprang up, and his knees gave way
beneath him, but without needing this
weakness he cried My hat, Joseph, and
my coat! Make haste and come with mol
Be quick
Shaking his hN,d, tho puzzled sarvant
hastcncd from the room.
A few moments later, when he lighted
his master down tho steps, he saw tears in
tho old mans eyes and heard him muir
MUIR mo, it is not too Lotto can still
be OF use and give others pleasure. Check
"a check to death.