He thought of the eighty-two dollars in his pocket and longed to
tell her all that he was planning for her sake.
Mrs. Vaughn went above stairs with the children.
Then Trove took Polly's hand. They looked deeply into each other's
eyes a moment, both smiling.
"It's your move," said she, smiling as her glance fell.
He moved all the checkers.
There came a breath of silence, and a great surge of happiness that
washed every checker off the board, and left the two with flushed
faces. Then, as Mrs. Vaughn was coming downstairs, the checkers
began to rattle into position.
"I won," said he, as the door opened.
"But he didn't play fair," said Folly.
"Children, I'm afraid you're playing more love than checkers," said
the widow. "You're both too young to think of marriage."
Those two looked thoughtfully at the checkerboard, Polly's chin
resting on her hand. She had begun to smile.
"I'm sure Mr. Trove has no such thought in his head," said she,
still looking at the board.
"You're mother is right; we're both very young," said Trove.
"I believe you're afraid of her," said Polly, looking up at him
with a smile.
"I'm only thinking of your welfare," said Mrs.
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