Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-06-09

T8rcs 81. ~pnr7incr?" called Brace from tho
Opposite icdge.
fooSing across, ] SAW him sitting on the
bowldcr binding his arm With his neck
cloth.
Lola Is hit. Tie villain has done his
work" | said.
'lle'! never dcno more Brace nswer
el, pointing up the ledge.
Van !iOecK had tried 10 escape the way
he came, after shooting Lola, and had got
soEie distance along the ltG-e when the
great rock opened and slid away.
H stood on the narrow path nova
CHASTITY spectacle. A piece Of quartz had
struck him on the head: n thin stream OF
blood was trickling down his check. In
one hand he held he Great Hesper. in the
other he grasped his rifle.
But he dared not move from the position
he had reached when the roof tilted up;
for the light that burst in had blinded him
once more. The sensitive retina had
closed over the pupils, and the blank, sight
less eyes stared wildly round, incapable Of
seeing.
1t was possible for Brace to reach him
by going along the ledge.
will you save himy' | asked.
"Not l Partner. he replied. II leave
him 10 Providence, be his end what il may.
The shot he fired at my poor youngster
started the consarn. and brought the whole
thing down. lis God Almighty's Judge
ment. Let it be-"
Van Hoeck let the rife slip from his
hand: how insignificant to us seemed the
weapon struck q rock, after the mighty
discord that had Numbered in eur ears,
and yet to him how terribly significant,
We could see his hand quiyering as he
CROPPED along the edge OF the wall.
In vain now he strained his eyes to see
the ledge 10y which he had ollowed us.
Yet he could not stand forever there.
He found a crevice for his fingers, and
made a step forward; he advanced again,
but the rock he put his foot on was a piece
of the debris that had fallen upon the
ledge. It rolled under his weight. He
vain attempt 10 get an equilibrium, then
he shot forward, and fell headlong down,
down, down into the abyss.
! held my breath; it seemed minute be-
fore that hollow pong reached our ears,
telling us that Van Hoeck as gone for
ever and The Grea. Hesp With him,
There was cord, and TO spare, in the
coils. Weighing one end with IA stone, ]
threw an end across to Brace, and when
the cut ropes were knotted and "A bridge
once more formed, he crossed, and knelt
down by me over poot Lola.
He examined her wound, and shook his
head in silence: there was no hope.
We made Il mattress OF the rugs on the
smoothest part OF the rock and attempted
" III litI upon II. ltl lilt illNtltNbi EhNC
her pain, and she motioned ~ to desist.
Then pointing upward, She made signs for
us 10 leave her.
Not while You are with us, my poor
gel, " said her father, with more tenderness
than | had ever heard in his voice.
We had the flask. AM some food in "A
wallet. We ate when we were hungry,
seated beside Lola.
Then exhausted with fatigue, and the
terrible strain we had been subjected to
we unconsciously fell asleep, with oar
backs resting against the rock. The last
thing OF which was conscious was the
pressing Of Loia's lips upon my hand;
Brace touched my arm.
Partner he said, IN II tone of awe,
'Thc KID gone"
looked where | had seen her lying with
her face to my hand. Sac vas gone liter
ally. There was "A lit,ie stain of blood up
Oh the rock-a drop further on, another
close 10 the edge of the platform. She had
kept her promise-she had been good; and
now the suisrrings OF her short life were
ended.
She knowedit was no good our waitin'
poor little CuSS.
| felt something In my hand; opening It,
J found a ring ! had bought for Lola. She
had slipped it there before she went. ).
Sir edmund and Edit, came to San Die
go in June, the love lest season Of that
lovely land. The air from the sea temper
ell the suns heat. The plantations were
already burdened with fruit, everywhere
there was a redolence of orange blossom
"a very suggestive fragrance, my dear fell
low SAID the baronet, pressing my hand.
Edith was charm d with all she saw.
SIS this my home?' she asked. ~
turned to Sir Edmund.
well, we must 90 Through the formality
OF looking at the books, my dear" said he.
/ had no hesitation in showing them, and
when he had seen the spleadid results they
already showed, he formally sanctioned a
renewal OF ouf cngngcn Mt; but we had
not waited for TINT consent 10 let our
hearts )il IA unconstrained delight
Oar second engagement was happily
longer taan the first, bat we were married
the week after the vines were cleared.
Brace was ut our Wedding breakfast.
When it was over, he took some of the
flowers from the table, and disappeared for
some days. ! knew now he had spent the
brief holiday. If | had entertained any
doubt, it would have been dispslled when,
on his return, he took the old agreement
from his pocket and pointed - the post
script:
1T is understood between the above part
ners that, IN the event OF Il iucky lind, the
Kid shall not be forgotten
And, indeed, in my wife | had found a
dearer prize than any | had dreamed OF
when ! slgact the compact.
THE END.