The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-10-18
CHAPTER III.


Seven years had passed away with
out adding much TO the history OF I'm
Gle Jeffs legacy, seven years since
May first beat Frank at chess; six,
since both played and won that dOu-
BILE barrelled innate" that loOmed in
the future.
Changes had come. Both had lost
their mothers, and Ivy Cottage was
now tenanted by the young folks
But the fair promises OF seven years
ago had proved as fickle as the prom
lse OF an April morning. Franks en-
ployers had failed, and permanent
work had been impossible to get Then
sickness had come, first to his wife,
then himself, and now the life Of their
only child hung in the balance.
May had followed the doctor to the
gate to ask his real honest opinion.
"To tell you the truth, Mrs. Gibson"
he was saying, "he may temporarily
improve but nothing can do any per
manent good. Except perhaps-well,
| was going to say long sea voyage
and an absolute change-Australia.
and residence there, or something Of
that sort. It's the only thing"
Shortly after the doctor had gone
Frank returned and dropped wearily
into chair. May had no need to ask
whether his search for work had been
successful. She endeavored to divert
his attention by a cheerful remark
about her flowers I'm the window box.
He answered abstractedly. Then
asked point-b blank:
"Well, May, did you ask doctor ex-
actly what he thoughtT
She hesitated. IL was for only
moment; she was not used TO dissem-
bling, and she repeated exactly what
the doctor had said.
Frank put his teeth together and was
silent
After while he remarked: 81 went
10 Bottoms; he said he would come and
look at them I'm the morning. He
might give a sovereign, not more; ex-
pensive chess sets were such uncertain
things to sell; he might keep them for
years before finding a customer"
IT'S not much" May answered, with
n sigh, as she realized how dreadfully
empty the room would look then.
1T isn't" acqulesced Frank; "but
it's the only move left. What the next
must be I'm sure l don't know. But
there" he exclaimed with sudden bit
terness, IL shall be glad when they're
gone. I've had nothing but bad luck
since I've had them"
Now the father and mother were
taking turns sitting up with the child.
That night II was Franks turn.
During the first part of the night
the child was restless, keeping his
father busy attending to his wants;
but presently he hccalne quieter, and
at last his more regular breathing told
that he slept.
Unconsciously F.ank raised his eyes
to the opposite wall; he knew the long
forgotten problem was there. 1t was
faded and time-worn and the frame
tarnished, but as II hung there n shaft
of bright hrelight from under the coat
sleeve was falling upon II and he could
see each piece quite distinctly.
Presently he found himself mentally
moving the pieces, playing over In his
mind that solution in five moves he
had years ago dismissed as so poor.
Dreamily he went over II n second
time. AS he did so II struck him that
one OF the pawns nj the side seemed
to be of no use. Strange. that old I'm
Gle JEFF who SO tenaciously held on To
what was proper should be caught
mapping in such gross breach of the
proprieties of problems as to leave on
the board something unnecessary.
Suddenly his face beamed as a new
thought struck him. Suppose il were
he that was wrong. not his uncle? In
moment he felt the tightening grip
OF his old chess enthusiasm.
Seeing the child still crept. he drew
of his shoes and crept down stairs, re
turning soon with an old pocket board,
long dlsused. on which he set up the
position, aud again lay down in thu
irelight.
Ten minutes passed-nftcen-twcnty.
lie might have been asleep, he was
80 still, but his brain was NJ work.
Now he moved one OF the cardboard
men. and after pause slipped IL back
again. Presently. another.
Al length ne noticed that If Black
| made one particular move, White
could bring OFT n mate by n pretty
play he hadn't noticed before. lie felt
he was on the track, and went at IL
with fresh zest. lie went over each
attack and defence. tried move after
move. At last he stumbled upon an.
other pretty bit OF play, and then he
felt sure he knew which was Whites
winning move. but there was still on,
line OF defence he could not over
come.
Minutes passed into hours; still h,
wrestlcd with IT, till at last. all In .
fash. the scales fell from his eyes ant
he saw clearly the beautiful strategy
that oyercame that one last stubborn
defence. Yes. he had solved 10,
With the day returned thoughts o
their troubles. but a merry twinkle
was In his eye as he told May owe
breakfast how he had solved Uncl'
Jem's problem at last
She looked pu sled. How do 20,