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

bronzcs and tho weapons hanging on the
walls broke tho dim twilight with bright
reflections
In tho center of tho room stood q woman
in poor, plain gown. Poverty spoke
from her dropping micn, rs well rs from
the troubled expression Of her pale face as
she drcw hcr thin mantle moro closely
over her shoulders
Her great, limpid eyes gaZcd intcntly ut
slight, gray haired man who stood, with
his back turned toward her, at one of the
long windows. Brcathlcss silence filed
the room, and the roll of wheels and the
monotonous sound of hoof beats could be
heard from the street below Sadness
dccpcncd on the young woman's face Her
lips trcmblcd, and tears rolled slowly over
her checks
With a weary, supplicating voice she at
last broke the long silence. LEO, have
you no kind word for me? Hayo L really
como in Vaii:"
Yes, III vain he answered harshly.
Il have often told you plainly that we are
separated forever and that YOU have moth
ing to hope for from me. You alone have
brought about your loss-ngainst my will
and now YOU must bear it alone"
You know how I loved you--lilc
brother and father both---and how gladly
l did and gave everything to mako 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: left me To follow an adventure
and Why Because one night at Il ball he
had softly whispered, L love you. But
now you have found out what this love
mcant-Sadncss and sorrow. Is ii not so:"
a beautiful flush spread over the young
wifc's face, and She proudly drew herself
up.
Yes, Leo, sorrow, bitter sorrow, but
also unspcakablc happiness. You can
not understand that, rs you do not know
my husband. You have hated him from
the first and will not realize his worth.
He could earn u better living for me, but
honor him doubly because no misfortune
can induce him to degrade his art He
aims mt the highest and will attain it.
the great future after all his bitter strug
giles. Believe me, Leo, my heart has Ill
ways ycarncd for reconciliation with YOU
Still, l should never have como here today
-but-but the child, Lco-my child is ILL., u
The last words broke from her lips like
panied cry.
Her brother shuddcrcd, but still stood
at tho window, gazing angrily out,at the
dark sky.
The noiseless minutes passed. and still
he made no answer to the woman's plea
and moved slowly away across the thick
white carpet.
In few moments Il servant came anu
lighted the lamp. Attracted by the bright
light, the man turned from the window
and stared about him with astonishcd
eyes.
Where is''-passcd his lips, but he
did not finish the question.
In the meantime the servant placed the
chcsSboard under the light, brought Il pol
ished box, which held the carved ivory
men, and started from the room.
Joseph" called his master, Il will
never see that visitor again
"As you wish, Herr Obcrs1," nodded
the servant and let the heavy oorticrc fall
behind him.
The man sat weakly dow. on IL couch
and covered his face with his hands.
After sitting thus for awsi lie he raised
his head slowly and m..rntIred: II am
growing old Every excitement ovcrcomcs
me. In II few years tho urbiddcn guest,
with his scythc and glass, ,vill overtakc
mo-"
He looked unspcakably weary as he took
his seat in front of the chess table and ar
ranged n problem with trembling hands.
Placing his elbow on the table, he rested
his chin on his hand and glanced mcdi-
not keep his mind on tire game, and his
eyes constantly gazcd over the board into
space.
How she loves him, that - that =
murmurcd no.
Shaking his head 1ierccly, he turned his
thoughts to the game again, but tho ex
element was stronger than his will. An
inward struggle disturbed his peace and
finally caused him to fall into state Of
dull relaxation. The ohessmen swan be-
foro his eyes and became weird figures
grew to enormous size and diminished
again.
The lamplight nickcred and almost died
out, filling the room with pale twilight,
ip which black balls sending out many
colorcd flashes danced up and down. Sud
donly these balls burst and flooded the
place with u green light. Cold shudders
ran over the chess players limbs, for right
In front of the table stood sinister pres
encc, who held II scythc in his bony right
hand and an hourglass in his left
Through the rents in his worm eaten gar
ments CLEANED the white, ncshless bones
Ho shook his deaths head, from which
huttercd single gray lock, and his empty
eye sockets stared so horribly and his Jaws
parted in SO CHASTITY n grin that the old
soldier, who had stood fcarlcssly in tho
thickcst of many u fight, felt tho blood
curdlc in his veins.
Death! Dcath!" gaspcd no, without
moving his lips or stirring.
Death laid his scythe and his glass by
his side, drew II chair To the table and
said: Come, old man. We will play u
| game together for your life"
Paralyzcd with fear, Obcrst stretched
out his hand for the color with which no
| usually played, but Death raised O bony
| finger
| "Stopl That it my coor!" cried no and