Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-09-07

Win the iO9dllSl party might Aph a.
act OF clemency raise him SUN higher
in popular estimation?
Such were the thoughts that ran
through the mind of this man OF des-
tiny.
Yet he was a Corsican, and a Corsi-
can must have his revenge. Quickly a
scheme worthy of Meph. stopheles was
formulated in his fertile brain.
Bidding his partner, yunot, TO rise
be beckoned TO the mafchioness to
take the seat in front Of him.
BE seated. Let US play"
Stunned by such a suggestion made
under such momentous circumstances.
the marchioness refused 10 move,
thinking that Bonaparte was merely
trying TO add to the weight OF her al
fiction.
Come, sit down and play. The
stakes snail be your husbands head.
My husbands head?"
Yes. your husbands head. If | win,
it is mine; il you win. II is yours to do
with it as you pl,ass. Let God-I mean
the Supreme being decide. Come
on!"
There was no alternative for the
marchioness. She must benz 10 the ca
price OF this whimsical master.
Mechanically she took. The seat va
Gated by Junot, wondering II, after all,
this was a nightmare or a waking
reality.
Intense excitement prevailed among
the onlookers as the trembling hands
of the marchioness lost the first moves
DE Montville is not ooi. & very
we'll Napoleon said, with cruel
smile.
But have king left, replied the
marchioness.
IAN royalists have, said Napoleon,
with a sarcastic twinge OF the lips.
The marchioness readily perceived
that she had not maze fortunate al
lusion
ASK your king TO come 10 your as
sistance against me" said the first con.
sui with much bravado, for he noted
the poor womans embarrassment
Thoroughly alarmed. ana realizing
the splendid prize at stake, she made
a desperate effort to cont oil her feel /
ings and attend to the game one By |
one she took several men from her OPP |
ponent.
Bonaparte scowled.
Should he permit himself to be beat
en- b. woman? That would be hdmil-
iatiag. Napoleon, you know, was very /
human.
Losing all sense of chiyalry. he con
tinued the game with furious ambi-
ton TO win.
He moved his pieces so violently that
the chessboard trembled.
Taking advantage Of this perturba-
ton. the marchioness captured more
Of his men.
few additional moves and the
game would be decided Even an or
binary player could see that Napoleon
would be beaten.
Fully conscious Of impending defeat,
be resolved TO avert it by accidentally
on purpose" shaking the chessboard so
as to change the position of the pieces.
The marchioness was terrified
Taking advantage of her fright. he
captured her king, exelaiming, with an
air Of well-earned triumph:
Check mate. have wont"
His words cut the poor marchioness
like the knife Of the guillotine.
Her eyes blazing with indignation, she
,aced him. saying: II
General, you have cheated"
You dare to charge me with cheat
ng?" he snarled.
Yes, you have cheated You have
heated in a fashion unworthy Of you,
Of your glory"
The ideal" exclaimed Napoleon, APP
,ealing to the spectators to acquit him
II her charge.
There was no response. They all
Wished TO please the first consul, but
his cheating was so fragrant that they
.ould not pretend to deny IT,
Napoleon hated to be beaten. So, in
! transparent attempt to conceal his
,hagrin, he arose from his chair, walked
o the fireplace and, grabbing the tongs,
egan to shift the logs about.
When he had exhausted his wrath on ,
he fire, he turned to the marchioness,
aging, with a smile that seemed ,
o radiate from an iceberg:
You are right, madam. have
heated. You won the game. The head
( the marquis de Montville is yours.
pardon him"
A sigh Of relief went up from all the
nlookeTs.
The marchioness, overjoyed, burst
Ito tears. :
General, she cried, you are just and
enerous." AS she was about to throw
erself at his feet he restrained her.
Do rot kneel, madam, he said
Smiling through her tears she asked:
do you also pardon me, generaI?"
Pardon you for what? What have
on done?"
Beaten Gen. Bonaparte."
Freely" he said; then in a low tone