Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-03-08

Aaron doubtfuily.
''In one sense, yes" said Julian; lin
another, no. A man must not peril his
health or his reason. II danger threat.
ems them from any quarter, he must
shun it."
Aaron asked no explanation. He
looked grave, and he held Julian's hand
longer than usual when they parted
that was all.
The days flew by. Julian was ready
for his departure. Aaron Pennel one
morning sat in Julian's room, and
talked as people do when their minds
are on some subject which they hesitate
10 mention.
At last he asked, Have you hidden
goodbye to Amy Atkins?'
Julian flushed and shook his head.
1T does not matter" he said. in a
somewhat melancholy tone. 1--WE shall
not probably meet again; nor will she
care"
II think she would" said Aaron.
You will hurt her by going of In such
a manner / feel certain of that"
Julian shook his head again.
II know she will not care" he said.
why should she?"
Because you do not care for her3"
asked Aaron. you are the only man
l know who feels in that way towards
Amy Atkins"
ii am not a ladies' man" said Julian;
but he turned his head away to say the
words.
In a moment more Aaron spoke
again: Julian, you know ! am neither
a bashful man nor n coward in most
cases; but every man becomes one or
both, under some circumstances.
have a favor to ask of you. You re.
member your promise to refuse me
nothing | could ask of you. The time
has come when / have need OF your
aid. Will you give it to me?"
Tell me what you want me to do"
said Julian, simply, giving his friend
his hand. Aaron took it tenderly.
II want you to see Miss Atkins" he
said. II want you to tell her some.
thing which | have not the courage to
tell her for myself have admitted
cowardice, as you know, Julian-to tell
her a love story, In fact, and see what
she says TO it. ! could ask this Of NJ
one else. Will you do itP"
Julian stood dismayed. He-he, Of
| all men, to undertake such a task as
this!-he who loved Amy Atkins so
madlyl He stood bewildered. So
Aaron, the handsome, brilliant, splendid
fellow, her mate in wealth, position and
appearance, loved the girl also. II so,
she could not fail to love him in re-
turn. They were made for each other.
That fancy that Aaron admired Ada
was a mere dream, too. The little
woman's heart, sweet little Ada, was
| thus unframed. Aaron and Amy
Aaron and Amy! Yet it was all right;
he had no doubt about it. 1t was nat
ural; but why choose him for a go-be-
tween?"
Il do not refuse, Aaron" he faltered,
mindful OF his promise, but white with
despair: "but you need not fear. She
will love you. You are not M to sue
in vain"
Il am a coward" said Aaron; ''in
such a case as this | am a coward. You
are a good fellow, Julian, and you will
do It,"
But howP" asked Julian. II know
nothing OF such things. l have never
told any woman of my W love. ]
shall harm yours in telling. l will do
it; but you must give me the words
the how-the when. 1t will be-terri.
blet'
He was deadly white now-not only
pale; but Julian went on ~unheeding:
Tell her q story-this! You know
a man who has loved her long, bat who
has never dared to say so. He feel'
that his own deserts are too small &c
entitle him to hope; but, on the V OF
parting, he can restrain himself nc
longer; he must tell her that life IL
nothing without her; that her love il
the only thing worth striving for; he
must ask her in this strange WA. -.
cause he has not courage enough to do
otherwise; to bid him hope or despair.
Then she will ask who this lover is, and
YOU NAV tell her; but not until then,
mind you-no; until all the story of the
love is told. And you will bring me
the answer"
Julian turned a CHASTITY face toward
him, and replied. IF l liver
"And you will tell the tale just So
Just as I have told you?" asked Aaron.
Again Julian answered, IF l liver
Then he left Aaron and sought Miss
Atkins.
She held out her hand, but he only
bowed and seated himself beside her.
In a moment more he said. ~ have
come upon an errand that will surprise
you, Miss Atkins. / AM commissioned
TO tell you a story"
That Of some poor personp" she
asked. You have only to say that
you know him to be in need and
worthy"
1T is the story of one who asks a
gift" he said. but not a gift of aims
a gift more precious than gold could
be-" and here. as he spoke the thoughts
of his own soul in another's service,
his voice tr~embled-"a gift that you
can only give-you, Of all the world
Ada looked at him shyly now. In q
moment more her eyes dropped and
her fingers began to trifle with her
rings, and the lace above her bosom to
flutter softly.
II know q man who has loved you
for a long time" he went on, taking
now a sort of fierce and bitter pleasure
in this cruel usage of himself, framing
from his W knowledge of his owr
love the tale of Aaron Pennel. ''Fol
months he has thought of you by day
and by night, until there is but one
woman in the world to him the
woman who Is called Amy Atkins. o
all the objects that there are upon TIT
horizon of the future. he only sees your
face. He could do anything for your
sake; without you he will be nothing
He has seen no token of any liking fol
him in your face, nor heard it In YOU
voice; yet he would have you hear hi.
story. and know his fate. His name
-"
But then a sharp spasm Of pair
caught his breath. He paused for al
instant. In that instant Amy turnet
towards him. and put her hand In his
my love is not worth so much" sh,
said te~arfully. But since you value 4
so highly, it is yours. 1t always hal
been since First knew you"
And tears came faster, and woman!
historical sobs. And what could be de-
but take Ia his arms the woman h,
adored, and who had just admitted hel
love for him under the impression thaI
- a. " -