th her and Miss Winn. And he
came in one evening to ask some advice. He had cudgelled his brain for
days to find just the right subject. That ended, they had a talk about
chess--that was becoming quite an interest in some circles. There were
several moves that puzzled him.

"Come in some evening and talk them over," said Mr. Leverett.

Edward Saltonstall wondered at the favor of the gods and accepted. Not
as if he was in any vulgar hurry, but he dropped in, politely social,
and asked if he should disturb them. Chilian had been reading Southey's
"Thalaba."

"Oh, no. We often read in the evening," said Cynthia.

She was netting a bead bag, an industry all the rage then among the
women. They really were prettier than the samplers. But she rose and
brought the box of chessmen, while he rolled the table from its corner.

"Will I disturb you if I stay?" she asked.

"Not unless it interferes with Mr. Saltonstall's attention," said
Chilian, then bit his lip.

"Oh, I do not think it will;" smilingly.

"You are very good to bother with a tyro. I'd like to be able to play a
good game. Father is so fond of it, and Lynde seldom comes in
nowadays--family cares;" laughingly.

They led off very well. Saltonstall was wise enough to try his best,
though out of one eye he watched the dainty fingers threading in and out
among the colored beads, and could not help thinking he would rather be
holding them and pressing kisses on the soft white hand. Then he made a
wrong play.

"We may as well turn back," said Mr. Leverett, "since the question at
stake is not winning, but improving."

"You are very good," returned the young man meekly.

This time they went on a little further, but the result was the same. So
with the third game.

"Of course, I could let you win," Mr. Leverett began, "but that wouldn't
conduce to the real science of the game which a good player desires. But
you do very well for a young man. I should keep on, if I were you."

"And annoy you with my shortcomings?"

"Oh, it will not be annoyance, truly. Come in when you feel like it."

"Thank you." Then he said good-night in a friendly, gentlemanly manner,
and Cynthia rose and bowed.

After that she gathered up her work and said good-night. Chilian sat and
thought. Edward Saltonstall was a nice, steady young fellow; that is, he
neither gamed, nor drank, nor went roystering round in the taverns
jollying with the sailors, as some of the sons of really good famil