The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-31
The Captivating Exception
BY J. BENEDICT CUNNINGHAM.

1T was because Pierre really liked Tel
ephone at first glance, and Telephone
knew 1t. In the same hearty manner
Pierre liked everybody else, and every
body knew it,
Levavasseur had plenty Of money,
and was always ready to spend it. He
was especially unable to resist any
temptation for betting, even If almost
sure to lose; and as he never played
anything except chess, betting on chess
grew apace in the club. There seemed
a certain scientific appropriateness
about betting. on chess which caused
1T to be winked at even by the stricter
members. On the whole, Pierre proba-
bly, won more than he lost, but there
was a recklessness about his methods
that drew us weaker ones all after
him. He created a new interest at
every stage Of the game; doubling his
stakes when things looked blacklist
and putting in side bets that he would
win in so many moves.
Now that I think it over, 1t occurs
to me that, while he often lost a reck-
less bet, yet hef never lost a reckless
bet when it was for a large amount.
This, however, might be accounted for
by supposing that he played most ear
nestly when the stakes were highest.
Nevertheless, 1 think he did not let
US see just how well he really could
play.
Long before it was time for Pierre
to return to Paris, the club, mainly
through his influence, was practically
turned into a chess club. Those men,
bers who had previously not played the
game now considered~i it the only game
worthy of attention; while the interest
of all confirmed players was redoubled.
Whist itself finally lost hold, except
with a few level headed members, who
did choose tn rich LOSING
The first Wednesday Of each month
was a time set by the rest of us for
INDUCING, the only conditions being
that no one should borrow or go into
debt. On those first Wednesday even
1ngs we let ourselves out in such a
manner that it might not sound well
to state in plain figures the approx
mate amounts of money that changed
hands when the cash was piled tempt
ingly high, checks not being in order.
Never twice did Pierre play the same
game. Never did we watch contest
at his board without being surprised
by some cunning. feint, some brilliant
attack, or at a number of uses, often
sive, defensive, preparatory, to which
he put a single move. Whenever the
game hung upon a thread some man
of his seemed by the merest chance to
be just in the right place.
We all knew, of course, that there
was infinite variety in chess; but to
have this variety brought before our
eyes was a revelation. Previous to Lee
vavasseur's appearance one had only
to know what two players were at the
board to Judge about what their game
would be. Playing with Pierre, it was
next to impossible for the opponent to
create the style Of game he desired.
And the sacrifices! Many a time did he
apparently throw away two to four val
liable pieces with no immediate object in
sight; then, by series of threatening
moves or almost continual checks, he
would eventually force the game.
AS the time for his return to Paris
drew near he gradually awoke to the fact
that he was falling into bad ways, even
though he did win. He had not before
been in the habit of playing for any but
would always be easy to draw the line.
He now grew to have serious look at
the end of an exciting evening. But no
one imagined that the matter would
weigh on his conscience seriously; French
consciences were supposed by us all to
be exceedingly pliable and elastic The
touch of regret In his musical voice and
on his expressive face only asked to his
charm. He had become pleasant study
In the meantime every man OF the club
was glad to see him come. For, with all
his humor, versatile wit, startling
phrases and captivating ways, he yet held
himself at certain distance; The dis
express it. He was openly devoted to
every member, and glad to play or con-
verse with all; but he did not seem to
care or notice that their friendships
among themselves were more intimate
than that for him, and that he was never