The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-03
Won at Chess.

q
out Of my boots. wasted and unspoken.
and all because of my accursed bashful-
ness.
I wanted to tell her that I loved her.
but even the bare idea of speaking 20 her
on such subject made ne trembie all
over and grow not and cold in turns. So
I said nothing. and as she did not speak
the silence soon became oppressive. go i
pointed 10 a set OF chessmen and In
quired:
do you play chess, Miss Thurscow?"
NO" she replied. but should ike to
learn"
This appeared encoura gingi the idea that
so divine a creature could take any IN
terest in chess struck me rather favora-
bly,, and she seemed trihe more human
than before. quickly arranged the
pieces and prepared for a game: then q
light dawned upon me and felt bad once
more. for l had promised 70 teach her
how TO play. and the prospect appalled,
me. In fact. was just trying to concoct
something about an extremely important
engagement that required my immediate
attention. when she spoke again and trus-
trated my design.
"Oh. do explain this to me, Mr.. Black
7 feel deeply mystified already; my curl
osity IS aroused. What do all these funny
things mean7'
She spoke so charmingly and looked SO
delightfully."- puzzled. with such quaint
little frown on her forehead, and with
her lips pensively pursed in such a most
aggravating manner, that felt forced 20
proceed
"Er-chess is a-very-ancient game"
falteringly said, and then collapsed once
more.
How nicev' she answered. I love old
games. But what is this?' she exclaim-
ed holding up the king for my inspec-
ton.
That is ths king" replied. and then
proceeded to illustrate its moves and
value
What curious affair."" she said 1.-The
king is so important and yet so very help
less; if he is Host, all is lost, although
it may not be his fault in the least
mo, perhaps the queens" I ventured
TO say. You see, the queen has such a
variety Of moves, and is supposed to be
able to protect and fight for her royal
consort."
1T is evident that you chess players be-
lieve greatly in the abilities Of US ladies'"
she laughingly replied. But do, please,
tell me what is this?" she asked, point
ing to the castle.
ooh. that is a rock, or castle" I ex-
planned.
Then. let US call it a castle" she said.
eve have already got king and queen,
and now castle seems most appropri-
ate: besides, IT sounds so much more re-
spectacle than rock ."
The knight next attracted her atten-
ton, and I had to explain the difficult
technicalities involved in the knights
move. I'm afraid I made a rather poor
show, but she seemed quite fascinated
and said:
This is really romantic, I am sure. Just
fancy the valiant knight bravely spring
ing from square to square fighting madly
for his king and queen. and finally perish
ing nobly in a heroic attempt to capture
the enemy's castle"
smiled could not help II. My nerv-
BUSINESS was vanishing fast and I felt
more at ease. The bishops quite won her
heart. and the idea of the church mill
tant, IL only on a chess-board, amused
her immensely. Then the pawns took her
fancy at once. She called them dear
little things" and proceeded to give me
a sweet little lecture about the useful
ness of humble things, using the pawns
as an illustration. And when explained
that they might possibly become queens
or castles, then she was in raptures and
declared that II was just like a private
soldier fighting his way to the rank Of
general
BY this time felt quite bold, and we
chartered away about the game for some
time. until at last she remarked:
"I wish I could write stories; I'd write
one about chess First, should only make
my king and queen live in the castle. and
go out and fight the opposing hosts OF
the enemy. and return victorious. escort
ed 10y their faithful knights and pawns,
and then
Then what ?" I exclaimed. eagerly.
''Why, I should use the bishops for the
inevitable wedding. Of course" she said.
looking hard at me, and blushing, oh.
so prettily.
7 turned crimson 70 the roots Of my
hair, and suggested that we had better
commence to play, so that could make
more progress as a tutor. She readily
consented. and the game that followed
was very, very nice. and extremely inter-
esting. but IT was anything you like-ex-
cept chess.
had not the faintest idea what was
doing. and only a dim knowledge whether
was black or white. and she moved in
a most unconventional manner, and trans
crossed every rule of the game; but she
seemed to think she was progressing. and
ildu llpl Alif HFdlN 10 uHItCtlNt 0eT.
However. ventured to demonstrate fee
bly, when she naively attempted to annex
my queen. in spite OF the fact that Il was
protected by two other pieces and a
pawn.
You can only move your queen over
the unoccupied squares" I informed her.
Dear me, what a nuisance she re-
Piled. How can move it, them"
I en6eavored to elucidate the mystery
70 her. and she leaned over the board and
looked straight ar me, her face all aglow
with attention and interest. Unconscious
y I also leaned forward. until our faces
nearly met over the center of the board
I was looking at her she was looking
al me. Who was looking at the chess
men I cannot say. Then I noticed the
smell Of violets-fny dead mother always
wore violets. This decided me. I
would
Crash, The white king felI 70 the floor.
displaced by her sleeve. She picked It
UP and tried TO replace It. but she had
forgotten its exact position. and after
vainly trying several squares she gave up
IN despair.
Watched her dainty fingers poising over
the board, and reproachei myself he
cause g certain ring that I had long car
ried in my waistcoat pocket was not
yet in IT'S proper place At last she sigh
ed slightly and said:
Chess g very difficult game. and how
clever you must be 20 play 50 well, I
wish 7 could; but they say il takes life
time 10 learn 70 play chess"
Yes" ! replied and I VII use ny
lifetime n teaching you how % play-this
IS. a course II yua will consent"
That did II. Presently we found our
chairs side by side. close together. and
va were playing = much older game than
chess The sun went down and left Us IN
the darkness; still We played on--how long
should not Ike 20 say.
Many wears have passed sincf the par