The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-11-02
TRAGEDY IN CHESS

~ look the sort Of q man who: would
De likely to. 90 out Of his mind.''
The man who spoke rose abruptly from
the table. and crossed the room to the win
dow, where he stood with his hands in his
pockets, gloomily gazing into space
The row of chimney-pots on the opposite
side of Bruton street did not admit Of q
glimpse into futurity, but in any case the
gazer's vision was an fntrospectives one and
self-centered
His FELLOW lodger and brother clerk in the
foreign office, Stanworth Brinkman, did not
reply until after he had considered him at
tentiveiy, and then said:
Zone Of the last. / should think. But
would not dwell on my own sensations il I
were you, Havelock; we all of US feel a bit
of color, at ~times-fagged and so on The
best plan is to put 1t out of ones head
Take. aatutinal ride in the park. eat and
drink WELL occupy your spare thoughts with
cheerful subjects, and it will all come
I can't afford the matutinal ride Just
now" replied John. HavelocK, land the
other remedies l have tried; but" with a
forced laugh, ',as you say, it's no good
dwelling on 1t. I'll go out for STROLL
without your breakfast"
An expressive gesture answered the query
Yet you slept we'll, you say"
Like the dead"
1T is odd, certainly. But would not
worry over it. Give it time
Mr. Brinkman pursued his own way
through breakfast, cigarette and newspa~
per, with his usual entire dissatisfaction,
and Invested his mind without difficulty of
all problems connected with his friends
state of health.
Meanwhile his friend, drawdling down
stairs, divided between a desire to go out
and desire to do nothing at all, met some
one on the lower landing, some one whom
ne mad often met before and STONED to
speak to her.
Going out already?" he inquired
nave new pupil today" she ex-
planned.
How busy you are!"
She raised her eyebrows at his regretful
tone.
Why she said. tits a good plan, is it
not? Occupation and an income are two
very desirable things"
She was little more than girl and in
her simple dress-her husband, a Young
gunner, was killed in small frontier war
just after their marriage-she looked alb
surdly childish to be teaching anyone to
do anything.
AS matter of fact, she was brilliant
and, finding herself in stress Of
poverty-for her relations were poor. and
subaltern's pension is not much-she had
gained independence by giving lessons in
singing
MI. Havelock studied her face as thew
went down stairs side by side, and won
deTed at the strength that it expressed in
spite OF its perfect sweetness.
Inc beautiful eyes seemed to hold truth
IN tneir clear grey depths, the lips with
tneiF tender pleasant curves were eloquent
OF steadfastness, the rounded chin carried
determination in its full contour that vet
was neSatived by the gentle coquetry of it's
dainty dimple.
IL was face of contradictions that.
charming at all times, held a special at
traction for John Havelock Just now. when
his nerves were all one edge and his whole
nature cried out for repose without lassi- |
ude Her voice and manner matched her |
ace and soothed while they interested YOU. |
INVITING confidence.
you are earlier than usual, too she |
'alo. Are you going to Whitehall so !
,oon?'' ~
Not yet; 1 am not feeling very fit. Mrs
1ull me together"
The very best thing" she replied with
ecision. Il noticed you were looking tired
DO you sleep badly?'
The hAggard lines Of unrest, the hollow
lstless eyes, spoke of excessive brain IA
igue. She had often thought what an in
looking man he was, and had ad
nlred the dark pale face, the tall we'll
et-up figure the whole personality of John
1aVelock. Even a less observant person
han herself would have noticed the change
nat had crept over him laterly
steep more soundly than I ever silent
my life BEFORE" he said, slowly. as
hey emerged into the street. ''That ia
mat puzzles me SO. I used to wake I'M
eIreshed and with an appetite for break
asst and any amount of energy Now feel
lore tired when l get up than when I go
bed' and breakfast is a thing of the past
18th me-
He spoke refectively, and she saw that the
latter was weighing upon his mind
Il should go away for change" she
aid. "A complete change, no work no
new scenery, new occupa-
ons, or amusements. There is my pre-
,ription. | hope you will take it, Mr..
avelock.''
Her voice was very earnest as she con- | ,
uded, and he thought gratefully what a :
1mpathetic tone she had, and how fresh |
nd untired and wholesome she looked.
1t had done him good even to talk to her:
would have been delightful to walk with
er, but she had hailed a passing hand
I'M. and in another moment was gone :
The old depression swept over him as he
untered on to Parliament street. and ;
ought of another day and night to be got 9
rough in WEAKNESS of soul and body. Life :
I'd been very agreeable thing for him up I
within the last three weeks He had :
W relations and fewer cares; not much :
oney or expectation certainly but with >
S honest temperate nature that did not
ouble him.
There were years of honorable and not :
paid work before him, and the usua1 6
lances of happy future; he was con-
mt with these until now
And now a profound distaste for everv- +
ing and everyone had seized him: an i'm =,
ense fatigue. a morbid dread of some :
reatening illness or disease that never / +
eless showed no symptoms of approach i
cept those he had mentioned to Mrs v
lndas. =
She thought Of him at intervals for some u
VS. she even fingered on the stairs in
pes of meeting him; but more than a | t
eek elapsed before they found themselves s.
the doorstep together once more. and. "
Gliding to their mutual inclinations walked tt
mo distance cido nv ci6o 49,