The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-27

his fcarf;:l opponent muttcv, and rs he
| raised his ":n over the table to move u
| pawn = little white hand was laid hinder
| ingiy on his arm.
Startled, he looked around and SAW a
beautiful litt,c girl standing 10y his chair.
| Her face wR; round ard rosy, and her
| golden HAIR and blue eyes were much like
| his sisters when SHE was IA child
May not play for y0u?" begged tho
| little one, and thcn Without waiting for
| am answer climbed into his lap and m;.tlo
herself comfortable
Death laughed 81 heartily mt this per-
formnncr that ono of his loose teeth fell
out and rolled to the middle of the board.
llo, no, you tiny Life" he shouted 'Do
you think you can play against the only
invinciblc mastcr?" And he ratified his
bones loudly To brighten her Life g;izcd
at him with ustonshcd eyes, as though
sho did not know who Death really was
Thls appeared TO anger him, for he roar
cd, "Bcgin!'
Yes. yes" laughed Life, in pure joy,
and moved n piece so foolishly that
Obcrst's hair stood on end with fright, for
no 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
felt himself no match for his laughing adj
vcrsary The latter appeared to learn with
each move and played always better and
moro skillfully, so that Obcrst 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 tho child had grown to u beautiful
girl.
This young woman, with the joy of
living III 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 Il single move,
and Death pushed his knight into tho
opening. y second poor play, and Life
lost her Quccn-thc most beautiful piece
of the game and its principal strength.
Obcrs5 glarcd angrily at the now mature
woman; saw her alter move by move; saw
the color leave her face and tho wrinkles
appear one by one; saw her eye dim and
the gold OF hcv hair change To dull gray.
Tho little mother moved her men slowly,
dcplorcd each separate play and wei ami
lamrnt-d over her mistakes constantly
giving the advantage 10 Death, who drew
nearer with each move and pressed her
rclcntloSsly in spite 4 tears and prayers.
&c mcrciful, cruel DEATH Let me take
back his one play. You will always have
time To win. 1 viii not lose just yet.
will not dip.
"Ncver!' reared 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 muchr' pleaded
old Life. You gain nothing from me,
"a I L., e In l,,.
my own happiness is ut IN end, | can give
Others JOY and add to their pleasures.
With these words Death made clever
move and cried, Check"
Obcrst's heart almost stopped beating,
for he knew his own life WAS the stake of
the game
He felt the color leave his checks and his
eyes start from their sockets. He 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 saw the end approaching move
by move, Death constantly throwing out
that fearful threat ''Check-a check TO
Life. -
Life's king WAS in peril, and there were
but two possible movcs-a wrong one,
which would lose the game, and q right
one, by which the king could save himself
behind the three remaining pieces These
three pieces bcckoncd the solitary king
and seemed TO have human faccs-onc the
features of IA lovely child the second OF IL
sad faced woman, and the third of a man,
with thoughtful, earnest expression
tho face Of that hated creature on account
Of whom Obcrst had lost his we'll loved
sister. With fear and anguish he watched
the frightened Lies trembling fingers.
Which would She play2 If they were only
both good! But look She graspcd the
king and pushed him toward the danger
Gus square.
III malcvolcnt glce Death laughed out
right
BY "A powerful effort Obcrst freed him
self from the charm which held him. "For
heavens sake, not that play-thc othcrr"
he cried, and throwing his arms over the
table to prevent the play ho knocked the
figures to the floor.
Bright light filled the room.
The sleeper awoko from his CHASTITY
dream and stared about with wide opened
eyes. He was alone the chessmcn scat
tered over the carpet. A horror stricken
servant rushed into the room. Ho had
heard his masters horrible cry. What in
heavens name had happened?
Nothing, nothing" gaspcd Obcrst,
brushing the cold drops from his forehead
with Il trembling hand
He 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 me!
DO quick
Shaking his head, the puzzled servant
fastened from the room
y few moments later, when he lighted
his master down tho steps, he saw tears in
the old mans eyes and heard him muir
muir: mo, it Is not too late. I can still