Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-15
Continued from page 10


fifth, all were won with little resistance, and
the sixth was like unto them save that it in
volved a brilliant queen sacrifice followed by
an intricate but irresistible combination that
won applausefrom the enthusiastic Mr.. Dray
ton even while it completed his humiliation.
He pushed back his chair and grasped my
hand with fervor that amazed me. "My
dear Harry" he cried, "take her, my boy,
with my warmest blessing! l never enjoyed
such a treat in my life. 1t is as good as play
ing with Paul Morphy himself. l have al
ways disbelieved in spiritualism; but"
Here Margaret came and threw her arms
about his neck. "Dear old father" she ex-
claimed, at is shame to fool you'll
"Fool mel" he exclaimed. "How can any
one fool me over chessboard? l have seen
the games played"
"But you hat not seen all the game We
play" exclaimed De Strelitz, coming for
ward. "And you are, Sir a true player of
de chess. You lof good game, even ven
you hat lose? Is it not so?"
"You are right said Mr. Drayton. "My
pleasure is in the skill of the game, in the
devices used, the ingenuity. l don't mind
being outwitted if it is cleverly done" Here
he turned suddenly to Margaret, who was
laughing, though with tears in her eyes,
thought, and asked, what are you laughing
at, you little brown-eyed witch?"
ooh, Father, let us tell you about the
Spirit of Paul Morphy'-if you will prom
Use not to be angry"
He put his arm about her and drew her
close to nina thing | should have been
quite willing to do myself.
"Very good said he. "Let's see your
spirit"
Thereupon Margaret held up to view
little coil of black silk thread, with hook
at each end, made of bent needle.
Here's the spirit" she said, laughing.
"Tell me all the awful swindle,' said her
father; "but break it to me gently
"Let me first introduce the Vienna cham
pion, Herr Won Benedek-"
"Not the inventor of the Benedek gam
bit?" cried Mr.. Drayton.
"Flattered that you hat know it," the
Austrian replied, with bow.
$50 it's you who have been knocking my
game into a cooked hat?"
"By the bright idea of my young frient,'
said Won Benedek
"How did you do it?" Mr.. Drayton
asked me.
Simple enough. Won Benedek and l
hooked the little silk cord to our knees.
You made move. l telegraphed it by the
Morse alphabetically long and short pulls
on the silk. Then he telegraphed the an
swer. Plenty OF time, you know, IN chess.
Thus pawn to kings fourth would be five
pulls, one long and two short, and then four
short and one long, making P to K a. We
practised it up pretty carefully. though
remembering the stake on the games"
"The miss stake?' said Mr.. Drayton,
laughing. Harry. if all else fails, you can
make success as fake medium. But
trust I'm good loser. Bless you, my chill
dren! Harry, you have won my queen; but
you have given me the pleasure of gaining
the friendship of a player whom have long
admired, and whose games are certainly in
spired by the spirit of Paul Morphy; for
they are the work of true chess genius!"
WELL, we all lived happily ever after.
" And after sometime Mr.. Drayton
succeeded in winning a few games from
Herr Won Benedek; but though he never
wor my queen back from me, was happily
mated for life.
THE GLASS PLUMBER