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Arkwright's heart ached with sympathy and
admiration at the proudly courageous way in
which Billy carried off the next few painful
minutes。 Even when he bade her good night a little
later； only her eyes said ‘‘thank you。'' Her lips
were dumb。
Arkwright often went home with Bertram after
that。 Not that it was always necessary
far from it。 Some time； indeed； elapsed before
he had quite the same excuse again for his presence。
But he had found that occasionally he
could get Bertram home earlier by adroit
suggestions of one kind or another； and more and
more frequently he was succeeding in getting
him home for a game of chess。
Bertram liked chess； and was a fine player。
Since breaking his arm he had turned to games
with the feverish eagerness of one who looks for
something absorbing to fill an unrestful mind。
It was Seaver's skill in chess that had at first
attracted Bertram to the man long ago； but Bertram
could beat him easilytoo easily for much
pleasure in it now。 So they did not play chess
often these days。 Bertram had found that； in
spite of his injury； he could still take part in
other games； and some of them； if not so intricate
as chess； were at least more apt to take his
mind off himself； especially if there were a bit
of money up to add zest and interest。
As it happened； however； Bertram learned
one day that Arkwright could play chessand
play well； too； as he discovered after their first
game together。 This fact contributed not a
little to such success as Arkwright was having
in his efforts to wean Bertram from his undesirable
companions； for Bertram soon found out
that Arkwright was more than a match for himself；
and the occasional games he did succeed in
winning only whetted his appetite for more。
Many an evening now； therefore； was spent by
the two men in Bertram's den； with Billy
anxiously hovering near； her eyes longingly
watching either her husband's absorbed face or the
pretty little red and white ivory figures； which
seemed to possess so wonderful a power to hold
his attention。 In spite of her joy at the chessmen's
efficacy in keeping Bertram at home； however；
she was almost jealous of them。
‘‘Mr。 Arkwright； couldn't you show _me_ how to
play； sometime？'' she said wistfully； one evening；
when the momentary absence of Bertram
had left the two alone together。 ‘‘I used to
watch Bertram and Marie play years ago； but
I never knew how to play myself。 Not that I
can see where the fun is in just sitting staring at
a chessboard for half an hour at a time； though！
But Bertram likes it； and so II want to learn
to stare with him。 Will you teach me？''
‘‘I should be glad to；'' smiled Arkwright。
‘‘Then will you come； maybe； sometimes
when Bertram is at the doctor's？ He goes every
Tuesday and Friday at three o'clock for treatment。
I'd rather you came then for two reasons：
first； because I don't want Bertram to know
I'm learning； till I can play _some_； and； secondly；
becausebecause I don't want to take you
awayfrom him。''
The last words were spoken very low； and were
accompanied by a painful blush。 It was the
first time Billy had ever hinted to Arkwright；
in words； that she understood what he was trying
to do。
‘‘I'll come next Tuesday；'' promised Arkwright；
with a cheerfully unobservant air。 Then Bertram
came in； bringing the book of Chess Problems；
for which he had gone up…stairs。
CHAPTER XXIX
CHESS
Promptly at three o'clock Tuesday afternoon
Arkwright appeared at the Strata； and for the
next hour Billy did her best to learn the names
and the moves of the pretty little ivory men。
But at the end of the hour she was almost ready
to give up in despair。
‘‘If there weren't so many kinds； and if they
didn't all insist on doing something different； it
wouldn't be so bad；'' she sighed。 ‘‘But how can
you be expected to remember which goes diagonal；
and which crisscross； and which can't go
but one square； and which can skip 'way across
the board； 'specially when that little pawn…thing
can go straight ahead _two_ squares sometimes；
and the next minute only one （except when it
takes things； and then it goes crooked one square）
and when that tiresome little horse tries to go
all ways at once； and can jump 'round and hurdle
over _anybody's_ head； even the king'show can
you expect folks to remember？ But； then； Bertram
remembers；'' she added； resolutely； ‘‘so I
guess I can。''
Whenever possible； after that； Arkwright came
on Tuesdays and Fridays； and； in spite of her
doubts； Billy did very soon begin to ‘‘remember。''
Spurred by her great desire to play with Bertram
and surprise him； Billy spared no pains to learn
well her lessons。 Even among the baby's books
and playthings these days might be found a
‘‘Manual of Chess；'' for Billy pursued her study
at all hours； and some nights even her dreams
were of ruined； castles where kings and queens
and bishops disported themselves； with pawns
for servants； and where a weird knight on horseback
used the castle's highest tower for a hurdle；
landing always a hundred yards to one side of
where he would be expected to come down。
It was not long； of course； before Billy could
play a game of chess； after a fashion； but she
knew just enough to realize that she actually
knew nothing； and she knew； too； that until she
could play a really good game； her moves would
not hold Bertram's attention for one minute。
Not at present； therefore； was she willing Bertram
should know what she was attempting to do。
Billy had not yet learned what the great
surgeon had said to Bertram。 She knew only that
his arm was no better； and that he never voluntarily
spoke of his painting。 Over her now seemed
to be hanging a vague horror。 Something was
the matter。 She knew that。 But what it was
she could not fathom。 She realized that Arkwright
was trying to help； and her gratitude；
though silent； knew no bounds。 Not even to
Aunt Hannah or Uncle William could she speak
of this thing that was troubling her。 That they；
too； understood； in a measure； she realized。 But
still she said no word。 Billy was wearing a proud
little air of aloofness these days that was heart…
breaking to those who saw it and read it aright
for what it was： loyalty to Bertram； no matter
what happened。 And so Billy pored over her
chessboard feverishly； tirelessly； having ever
before her longing eyes the dear time when Bertram；
across the table from her； should sit happily
staring for half an hour at a move she had
made。
Whatever Billy's chess…playing was to signify；
however； in her own life； it was destined to play
a part in the lives of two friends of hers that was
most unexpected。
During Billy's very first lesson； as it chanced；
Alice Greggory called and found Billy and Arkwright
so absorbed in their game that