Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-07-29

ut was what I heard some one say,n she
answers, choking back a sob. sand, oh,
how ! want to go home. will not stay
here"
II will take you home" q think he dr.
vines the reason of her anger.)
'.Brs the carriage will not come for three
hours yet, and l will have to wait. On, 1 can
not"
Let me ro,o you home he says, sudden
ly. There Is u Boat out there and the river
Will be beautiful In the moonlight Win
yes"
He has not expected so ready an assent
but she, she does not think for an instant.
She has thrown her scruples away: she does
not reflec that she Is here with another man;
she only feels q great longing to get away
and she Is with Dallas Carew.
But you must have something around
you" he says. wait, / will get 1t, and
home with me-"
So he brings her a soft white shawl and
wraps II tenderly about her and together
they 20 down to the river.
There among the tall river weeds and
sleepy-closed water lilies Is the boat. Sill
emily she takes her place and the young man
follows her. Down the quiet stream, away
from the music and lights, they float. Ii Is
so still, 50 still, only the sweep of the oars to
break II. Above their heads the moon. that
pale cloud maiden, shines steadily down
upon them. Under the willow trees they
pass on to where the acaclas hang their
heads so heavily weighed down with bios
sons. and the fragrance comes
Sweet as the scent Of orange groves
Upon some tropic sea-"
Dallas has shipped his oars now and the
little boat floats On. lie is running his dress
suit, this foolish young man, but would he
not ruin twenty such for this? All, gladly.
Is 1t the moon that gives such glory TO her
fnnnp Had ~ At1n a NynAE nUn toll him
that any woman could make his heart throb
and his pulses beat as his are doing now he
would have laughed IN sc0rn, and yet IL there
some witching about this girl. this girl sit
ting fair and straight before him IN her white
clinging gown and strange. odd flowers at
her breast? Has she enthralled and be-
witched him with her wOndrous eyes?
As yet they have not spoken. She Is not
looking at him. She IS staring overhead ut
the great silent stars. They are nearly home
now for the distance Is not great. A purple
heartsease has slipped from its home amid
the masses Of her hair. The young man
leans forward and lifts IL gently.
II may have this flower? You will not
take this from me and tear 1t to pieces,
s.iiy."
mo" Her voice is 80 low he can but
"A month ago. she says, half sadly, II
would not have done what | have to night
for any man living. All, me, how | have
fallen"
you nave done nothing wrong" he says
uneasily, plying his oars with swifter strokes.
at Is wrong. / should not have come.
1 ought not to have danced with you. Why
did you make me? No one else could have
made me. | did 1t for you"
For himl A warm, happy flush steals into
his face; a great JOY into his heart.
Then you do care a little for me, Nelly,
do you notg
How soft the wind stirs the leaves of the
silver poplar. They seem TO murmur gently
10 one another. The soft, grey clouds have
quite covered the moon just now, and the
might creeps On. They have almost reached
the parsonage garden. Soon, very soon, this
strange home coming will be at an end.
She does not answer Her eyes are down.
east; her fingers idly play with q poor
crushed tiger lily, smoothing il lovingly into
shape again. III this be cOquetry how Won
derfully 1t Is done.
ANSWER me. l will have all answer"
stop" she cries, stretching out her hand.
w are home now"
Il do not care. Tell inc?.' Selling both
her hands while his eyes read her face with
fierce intentness. Tell me, have | read your
face aright?'
What is il to you if you have?' she SAYS.
Even in this dim light he can see how warm
ly her face has flushed. They are standing
on the river bank among the tall flags and
water weeds.
"What is it? 1t is everything. everything,
child"
She hesitates a moment. not even daring to
lift her eyes. Then IL is from coQuetry or
some sudden sliyness that makes her snatch
her hands from his and run swiftly to the
house giving no answer 10 his question.
All, pardon her, reader, this foolish girl,
but she is young, and when We are young We
are very foolish.