Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-06-06

II Is my lent OF love--a long gray lent.
with no angel to roll the stone away
from the sepulcher where buried my
own happiness"
She plucked the strange. cleaning
rose aud pinned it in the corsage OF her
walking-dress aud presently she start
ed for one OF the aimless and solitary
strolls which had come 10 have fasci-
:3ation for her.
II happened to-day that she had
reached one of the most throngcd and
fashionable avenues before she noticed
the direction in which she was going
She carried an umbrella. for one OF
those gray. lenten mists filled the air
with n slowly falling drizzIe.
Her face was hidden. but the gleam-
ing rose was conspicuous against the
Iusterless black OF her cloak.
a gentleman passing caught a
glimpse OF the rare and peculiar flower,
started. paused. then turned and fol-
lowed her.
Great heaven! To think how /
have searched this city for her. and to
think how I should have lost her again
but for that little flower. he" murmured.
IS he kept the slowly moving figure in
view.
Valeska unconsciously continued on
her way for block or so.
Then she turned suddenly upon n
crossing which seemed for the moment
passable.
/ She was scarcely half way across
when there was sudden tumult; lDeu
] shouted and women screamed. and
she was startled by somebody warning
! her back.
| She stopped, bewildered. And AT
( the instant Il great gaunt steer, mad
1 with thirst and the terror OF pursuit.
plunged directly toward her. its eyes
bloodshot and fierce. its immense horn;
I lowered as il TO attack her.
The suddenuoss OF ii dazed her and
held her rooted to the spot.
( Those terrible horns were tearing
through her garments in n second
more her death would have been nj
most inevitable, when Il powerful arm
was clasped about her waist aud she
was lifted bodily to a place OF safety
while the wild creature OF the prairiei
rushed believing down the street.
You are not hurti But your um.
brela is useless! Will you permit M
TO offer you mine?' her rcscuer said il
the calm. masterful voice which useC
so to ekasperato her in the old days.
She turned. with start, glanced in {
scared piteous way at his inscrntabl,
face. and then began to cry softly be
hind her veil.
"Do you still hate me. Valeska?" h
asked as she walked humbly enoug
beside him.
Il hate only myself. Oh. hat
myself more than words" can tell, sh
confessed in low voice.
They reached cab-stand, an
Valeska did not object when ho LITE
her to seat in II coupe aud place
himself beside her.
Ii was so sweet so dear. TO hav
him care for her in the old tende
fashion.
IF you would only forgive m
cruelty aud let me care for you alway:
sweetheart" he yentured.
Her great eyes opened wide.
You cruel TO me? On, Mel, Noe
how can you say that when the cruelt
was oil mine?-when am dying wit
grief because l know you can neye
forgive me?" she painted. recklessly.
St. Regis laughed softly, joyousl.
And the next moment his arms WEI
about her. and his lips were pressed
hers.
My love. my bride" he sal
brokenly.
Then he touched the crushed ro!
upon her bosom aud added:
1T was this little flower which hi
\ rostoro<fs yous s<s-..raF ei~.lsss~ On
for II should not have follower 70
and been near to save you from th'
terrible animal"
Valeska shuddered.
But her past peril soon vanishe
from her mind ia the knowledge of ht
great happiness. For she knew tt
gray lent OF her love was over.-
Fdnliiy Story Paper.