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

.HIsky, the last rays of the sink
NJ1sing sun family lighted a room
S ssSS2 10 which the gold frames, the
bronzes aud the weapons hanging
on the walls broke the din tw.-
light with bright reflections.
Iu tue cen,er OF tae room STOOD
a woman in poor, plain gown.
Poverty sp, Ike from her dropping
mein rs we'll as from the troubled
expression of her pa'e face, as she
drew her thin mantle more closely
over her shoulders.
Her great, limpld eyes gszHd
intently at a slight, gray'baired
man, who stood with his back
turned toward her, at one of the
org windows.
Breathless silence filed the
room, aud the roll of wheels and
the mOnotOnOus sound of hoof
beats could be heard from the
street below.
Sadness deepened on the young
wonan's face. Her lips trembled,
and tears rolled slowly oyer her
cheeks.
With weary, supplicatiDg
voice she at last BROKE the long
silence. "Leo, have you no kind
word for me. Have | really come
In vain"
"Ye9, IL vain,' he answered
harshly. III have often told you
plainly that we are separated for
ever and that you have nothing to
hope fer from me, You alone
have brought about your loss
against my willard BOW you
must bear it alone.
You know how | lOv,d you
like brother and father both-and
how gladly [ did and gave every
thing to make you gay and happy
and keep the shadows from your
life. And you, for thanks, you
left me; left me to isolation, to an
unhappy old age; and left me to
follow an adventurer-and whyf
Because one night at ball he had
softly whispered, Il love you But
now yOn have found out what
this love meant-sadness and
sorrow. Is it not sO!"
A beautiful flush spread oSer
the young wife's face, and she
proudly drew herself up.
"Yes, LEO, sorrow, bitter sorrow
but also unspeakable happiness.
You cannot understand that, as
you do not know my husband.
You have hated him from the first
aud will not realize his worth.
He could earn a better living for
me, but l honor him doubly be-
cluse no misfortune can induce
him to degrade bis art. He aims
at the highest ana will attain it
the great future after all his
bitter struggles. Believe me, Leo,
my heart has always yearned for
reconciliation with you. Stlll, l
should never have come here to-
day-b0t-but The child, LeO-my
Child is ill.,"
The last words broke from hes
lips like panied cry.
Herbrother shuddered, but still
stood at the window, gazing
augrily out at the dark sky.
The nOlSeless minutes passed,
aud still he made no answer to the
woman's plea. She waited, eager
ly, but at last turned aud moved
slowly away aero the thick
white carpet.
IN a few moments a servant
came and lighted the lamp. AT
tracted by the bright light, th'
man turned from the window aud
started about him with astonisheC
eyes.
"Where is" passed his lips
bat he did not finish the question
In the meantime the servean
placed the chessboard under the
light, brought a polished box
which held the carved ivory men
AMI started from the room.
"Joeeph," called his master, -
will never see that visitor again.
"As you wish, Herr Oberst,
nodded the servant and lett tb
heavy PORTER fall behind him.
The man sat weakly down on
couch and covered his face wit
his hands.
After sitting thus for while D
raj ,ed his head slowly and murmul
cd: II am growing old. Every 81