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Louise settled her father comfortably in his arm-chair on the lawn, then arranged the black and white chessmen on their board on the little rustic table.
"There, now," she said, as she placed the last pawn on its square, "we're all ready for Mr. Jason."
"I do hope he wont keep me waiting," remarked the old man, querulously. "If there's one thing that annoj^s me more than another, it's waiting."
' ' Here he is ! " cried Louise.
Over the lawn came a wheel-chair, propelled by a tall and handsome young man. In the chair sat a grayhaired man, with a delicate face, marked with furrows of pain.
"Ah! Good-afternoon, Mr. Armstrong!" called out the newcomer. 1 ' Good-afternoon, Louise ! ' '
"I'm glad to see you, Mr. Jason," responded the old man at the table. "How d'ye do, Jack? Be careful with that chair, and dont bump into the table. There we are. Feeling in pretty fine fettle for a game, Mr. Jason ? ' '
"Well, I think I can hold my own, Mr. Armstrong," he replied.
"Shall we draw for color?" asked Mr. Armstrong.
"Let us waive that. We'll play as the men are set. You have the white — it's your move."
These old cronies, tottering feebly, with many twinges of pain, in the Valley of the Lengthening Shadows, engaged in this daily game of chess with all the enthusiasm and passion left them. They bent over the board, and the young people, side by side,
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watched them interestedly, tenderly. They had greeted each other with the cordial smiles of friendly neighbors and comrades, and as they watched the absorption of their fathers, Jack 's hand closed over the girl's round, white arm.
"Let's go," he whispered. "They dont need us now."
But Louise hung back. The game had begun auspiciously, with evident satisfaction on both sides. Mr. Armstrong had moved a pawn.
1 ' Ah, the king 's gambit ! " exclaimed his adversary, appreciatively, as he duplicated the move.
Another white pawn was advanced. The black pawn captured it. "The first blood!" exclaimed Mr. Jason.
With one hand thoughtfully caressing his chin, Mr. Armstrong brought a knight into the open.
"Ah!" said Mr. Jason, warily, looking over the field.
"Come on!" urged Jack. "They dont know we're in the world now."
Louise yielded her hand to him, and softly, with backward, unheeded glances, they stole away over the lawn. Beneath the shade of the elms they passed, laughing gaily, treading springily, the joy of youth and the soft summer air playing upon their vibrant spirits with subtle, insinuating touch.
At the door of the conservatory Jack paused. "I want to see those new orchids," he said. "Father was very enthusiastic about them."
"Oh, yes! You must see them!" acceded Louise. "Father is very proud of them."