The Washington herald., 1909-07-11
By Roy Norton
CONTINUED from page l2)


chinery you eminent men call death.
Now" he concluded alrly, as ~ dismiss.
Ing trivial subject, "let as talk 20 you.
II has given me pleasure to know OF
HE specialist would have protested
but his patient resolutcly declined
10 devote any further time 10 discus
sion OF himself. dlsmlssing all OF that
with the half-petulant statement:
"Oh, things OF diet and regime can be
written out by you I'm your own Othca
and / VIII follow them merely because
as | said before, | have grown rather
fond OF this body and propose TO treat
Il well until / have 20 bid 1t good bye
That much / owe IT."
But the air Of carelessness, maintained
during the half hour following In which
they talked OF old friends and happen
ings disappeared after the specialist had
departed, and he had returned to his H.
brary, where he ensconsed himself In his
favorlte chair. 10 was evident that he
was giving a thoughtful review, not so
much to what had been done as 20 what
was 90 be done, before his departure
his chair. and automatically ministered
10 his requirements. When alone again,
sitting In heart OF light thrown by
shaded lamps above the chess-b board, with
massive desk near at hand. and with
the books looking down upon him from
the darker corners as N In sorrowful
silence, ne brought forth various dispatch
boxes sorted a few papers mechanically,
and then, as III these matters could be
postponed for further attention, began a
careful examination Of clippings appar
rCaus. which, from their headings evl.
IDENTIFY pertained TO the national political
situation In all It's varied and tryiug
phases. These, as he read seemed TO
disturb him more and more-to such an
extent, Indeed, that before he retired ne
sought relaxation by change OF thought,
pushed the whole mass away from him
I'm a gesture of annoyance, and with a
half smile. gave his attention to the
chess board. He moved the massive
pieces into strange positions, and shifted
working our the possibilities In some
mental problem whose factors were
there before him.
A sOFT.CHIMED clock In a distant
corner OF the library, struck two.
As II not quite certain OF the stroke,
while yet aroused TO the passing OF the
time, he consulted his watch, stood up
took one more look at his chess board
and then advanced TO turn of portion
OF the lights. Immediately, the room
became suddenly darkened. But one
light remained, that above the chess
board, which stood with It's inanlmate
kings and queens, knights and castles
and shielding pawns, scattered out across
for other moves, confronting each other
eApectantly. For some reason known
only 10 himself. the recuse was more
grave and disturbed than when no had
begun his seemingly idle play
MY country" he said softly, "my
country which IL involved In game
more serious than Il has ever played be-
fore-a game wherein the pieces seem
TO move, with haste and blindly, towarC
chaos and confusion" He gave a long
sigh; then, once more he spoke 10 the
shadows. "It Is possible" he won't on
slowly, "for a man TO waste his life,
losing I'm the pursuit Of little things the
sight OF those which are greater. And
too, It Is possible that, at the last, he
may be OF some service" Ills eyes
CLEANED with new resolution, as he
turned OF the single light, and left the
r imlc warriors I'm darkness.
(Continued next week)