The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-07-15
Y IAI[E II + ;
Half q Truth.
BY "THE pucHEss..

Valerie. too, played with less than her
nsual skill; tilough-as In such cases the
woman usually is-she was more inwardly
self-possessed than her companion; out
wardly, both seemed at present absorbed
In the game; that is. Valerie did altogeth.
er, and Max Beauregartl did when she
could see his fnce: otherwise 1t would ap-
pear that he evolved the stratagem OF the
MIMIC battle from contemplation OF the
features and form opposite to him-anoyel
mot'eo OF playing chess, and not a very sue
cessful one, since it presently led to his
losing o bishop without gaining any adj.
vantage. Nor was the loss a mere over
sight, but led up to three or four ill-con.
sidcred moves.
"Wh@w-wr' he said, as Valerie took the
piece; Il must look sharp, Fairy Queen, or
shall be routed horse and foot"
A slight color swept over the girls cheek
at the name he called her; but she answer.
ed, smillngly:
II thought, a few moves bnck, you were
laying a trap; and then, when you moved
TINT pawn touching it, II knew I was
Mistaken"
IA trap No; was playing carelcssly,' ,
he answered, land TINT won't do with you
you play far too well. Idon't mean tina,
l was careless from undertaking your play,
but because l didn't attend properly"
Obi you might play badly. for you, and
bent mel" said Valerie, in perfect good
faith.
at doesn't look like it. Besides, you
have supernatural skill, You know"
Then it's no use contending at ALL" re-
turned the girl, not thinking, until the
words had left her mouth. the significance
they might seem charged withal; but she
did not change color, aud added almost.di.
rectly, not daring to lift her eyes: "But
certainly we shall not test the truth before
luncheon at the present rate"
We can finish it another time, "he said,
not seeing the board at all for Il minute
1t was merely II confused mist-he only
saw Valerie and heard the cry of his own
heart i'll answer to her words: Heaven
help mel 1t Is no use co%ntendingl'
But he quickly rallied. and forced him.
self to closer attention, and, by n few mas
terly moves, almost retrieved his position
Are there any plans. for this afternoon?'
he asked, presently.
II don't know-I haven't heard of any,
would you go for a walk? There are
some lovely walks about-over the hills
and among the woods, Where horses cam
60"
who else can walk"
No II like you; but Mrs. Dudley car
do a fair distance. Westbrook and Dallas.
Travers not much; Nellie won't walk In
hot weather, nor will Angela. Is Miss Lin.
wood a Pedestrian"
Valerie laughed.
"She calls four miles a long distance"
1--WE mustn'tcoun on Dallas. tlen,n sale
Benuregard, quietly. But If the other.
will come, will yous"
The girls heart beat fast. For the last
week or more Beauregard had nlmos,
avoided her, and now this twice he sought
her socicty-for the chess-game and for tht
walk; and in both cases he had carried the
day-in the first by n coup dc main, in the
second she could not possibly refuse with
out making refusal much more marked
than acceptance.
Il shall be very happy to come" she said.
Thanks, SO much. do trust the other
two will be amenable. Your move, Va
lerfc. All! the luncheon bclll Never
mind. will take the game down on a
stdtu quo board, and we can finish it some
other day-if you like. that isl"
"Oh! ! should like to finish it!' exclaim-
ed Valerie, rising: and MIX rose, too. and
went to fetch the stdt1t quo board. The
tennts-party came trooping in from the
lawn; Dallas and Amy Linwood turned up
from somewhere else; and all went into
the house.