Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-01

as the time appointed for the playing OF
| this fateful game. During the interval Os-
man pondered deeply on the best course TO
pursue In the predicament In which he
now found himself. He was In little doubt
that. even though he should win this
game, another equally momentous would
follow. and that nothing could avail 10
keep his head on his shoulders n Murad
had. as he shrewdly suspected. determined
to get rid OF him. Yet IL was clear that.
under these circumstances. TO win would
probably be less Immediately fatal than
to lose; 1t might for short time delay.
IL II could not avert. the end that seemed
inevitable. Therefore, when on the fol-
lowing afternoon the Grand Vizier faced
the Sultan at the chess board. each OF
these good players sat down determined
to win If he possibly could manage 1t.
They were not alone. A large number
OF the great officers and high officials OF
the State and the palace sat watching
the game, which might so suddenly ter
inmate the brief and brilliant career of
one OF the players. Every move was fol-
lowed with the keenest interest The
game was fought with great skill and
indomtable patience by both combatants
1t lasted long. and the chances of victory
and defeat still held an even balance.
II was the Grand Vizier's turn He
moved his piece, when suddenly 1t flashed
upon him that the move was a mistaken
one. Virtually 1t sealed his fate. Unless
the Sultan should. by some extraordinary
obtuseness, overlook the opportunity af-
forded him three moves would at once
terminate the game. and cut short the
life OF Osman. He dared not raise his
eyes from the board, lest his glance
should involuntarly betray to the Sultan
his consciousness of the blunder he had
committed.
For some time the whole assembly sat
silent and motonless. The Sultan made
no move. What could be the cause OF
his delay? Was he gloating over the
assurance OF victory and purposely pro-
longing the anxiety and apprehension OF
his victim? or could 1t be possible that
he had really failed u observe the OPP
portunity provided for him. and was still
considering undecide,lly his next move?
The pause continued so long that Osman
ventured at length TO raise his eyes to his
adversary. Rather than such suspense IL
would be preferable to know the worst.
As he looked up strange sight met his
gaze. The Sultan sat with his head bent
down: the afternoon was sultry, and at
the very crisis Of the battle he had fallen
asleep
There was little doubt that when the
woke the first glance must reveal the
opportunity that was presented 10 MN.
Meanwhile. none dared to disturb him,
and the unhappy Osman was compelled
TO await, with as much patience and
fortftude as he could command. the tragic
and inevitable result. No man In that
large assembly either spoke or stirred.
| with calm, unrufiled fempanor, truly
Oriental. they sat silent and watchful
till the Sultan should awake and deign to
continue the game which his sleep had
so suddenly interrupted. Sience resned
I'm the court without no less than within
the hall itself.
At length the call 10 prayer or the
muezzln on the mosque resounded through
the heavy air: Come to prayer, come to
prayer: God Is most great, God Is most
/ great; There is no God but Cod Still the
Sultan slept. and no one in that be-
jewelled crowd dared to disturb HIS SUM
Der.
At last an incident that none could
have foreseen occurred to break the ST.
/ lence one Of the soldiers stationed at the
door followed uncOnsciously the example
set him by his imperial master. and fell
asleep. and suddenly his scimiter falling
| from his relaxing grasp, fell changing
I on to the marble steps.
All looked up with amaze ment; all ex-
cept Murad.
Then Osman rose and touched the Sui
| IAN lightly on the shoulder. and he fell
| forward with a crash among the chess
| mentor he was dead.