Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-09-09
ROMANCE.

NJ. Max was not an old man. In fact, he
was but %, though public opinion, influenced
by bis great learning, perhaps, or his hair,
silvcred by nobody knew what bitter exper-
fence, gave him credit for at least another
score.
Nor was he a beauty except in the eyes of
Bertha Clayton, to whom the STOPPING shout
ders, the brown face in its frame OF iron
gray, the kind, dark ewes, and the patient
tender smile, were falrer than would have
been Apollo himself had he visited her.
Bertha was an orphan, possessed or wealth
which the people Of r vaguely dcsig
mated as millions" the care OF which so
engroSsed her guardian and half-brOther, a
New York merchant, that his little sister
was left To the supervision OF Aunt Letitla.
Bertha did not get on well with her COVER
nesses.
In her own opinion she got on much better
without them. Each new installation was
followed by rebellion, revolution, expulsion,
and anarchy, until Aunt Letitia, In despair,
had recourse to VI. Max.
Monsieur's Influence over the spoiled and
willful heiresS was truly marvellous, and yet
his most severe Teproof was no worse than
One does not do so In Paris, mademoiselle."
All day they were together. studying, work.
ing In the garden, or absent upon long expe-
ditions after specimens. Surely IL monsieur
had been ambitious or a villain the field for
his energies was broad.
Years passed away In this manner and
Bertha grew up into a beauty and grace
which might have tempted any man to win
her for her own, even II she had been PENN.
less: yet still Aunt Letitia doZed and knit
quite unconscious OF any possible peril 10
anybody.
Bertlia's 18th birthday was now approach
Ing, upon which she was to make her debut
in sucn society as the countryside afforded.
But, though entering the world, she was by
NJ means 10 part with NJ. Max. He had
promised TO go abroad with them and there
conduct his pupil through a course OF operas,
museums and picture galleries.
At the birthday party, however, monsieur
obstinately refused 10 be present, though he
came out from F. on purpose 10 behold
her in her ball costume with its proudly dis.
played trained skirt, and he brought with
him an exquisite boquet, purely white.
lie did not go Ia the grove next morning,
but he sent a note 10 Aunt Letitia saying
that trouble or Il family nature, int which
he was not at liberty 10 enter, demanded his
immediate attention. He was pierced 10 the
soul-ahl poor NJ. Max.-thus suddenly to
leave the place where he had been so happy.
Ten years. The time seems short enough
as one reads them: but when they must be
lived through, moment by moment, II is a
very different matter. Yet NJ. Max lived on
for ten years before he saw his pupils face
again.
Upon leaving her he had gone west, and in
IL liltlC tpNH llbl III llOiu Oilt VI TIC -lfdt
lakes he had set up his modest household
goods. But pupils were slow To come and he
needed work 10 deaden the cry of his longing
heart. The innocent winged life OF the in
sect world has always been his delight. 10
this he turned for comfort in his hour OF
trouble. The result OF his obseryations was
well received by tire Scfcntjsic w6rfu anu NJ.
Max found himself IN a fair way TO become
famous; and, as a principal result OF ms
growing celebrity, was offered a professors
chair in a recently founded neighbormg col
lege, which he accepted.
Summer had come again, the tenth summer
since he has last seen her, when he stepped
on board the steamer that was 10 convey him
within a few miles OF his old quarters. The
sun had set; there was only a flood of golden
glory. Ii fell IN a long, cleaning track upon
the beautiful bay ana tlnged the sable rooes
OF one who sat gazing wlsttully toward the
golden west.
AZ Is she" said NJ. Max.
A little girl played at her side under the
care OF a nurse.
"Her child! Her very image? 1t is enoughv p
lie nuttered.
He had never hoped; how, then, could he
feel disappointed? He turned and approach
ed her 10 md that her eyes had already dis
cerned him. Ills limbs trembled, and a flood
OF dark crimson rushed to his brow; but
Bertha's beautiful face was quite untroubled
and she held out her hand with u tranquil
smile.
But / had almost sent Martha TO recall 70
monsieur's recollection his little pupil, so
wicked and troublesome"
He bowed silently over the white fingers,
not yenturing this time to press them to his
lips. Bertha made room Tor him beside her
and continued speaking without seeming to
notice his lack OF reply. Only once did she
falter, and that was when monsieur, having
recovered the power Of speech, used 1t 70 AL
dress her as madame"
But no." she replied, softly, mo, mon
sieur, | am still only demoiseile."
God be thankedr' said monsieur, inyol-
unfairly, and watched, with eyes OF incredu-
lous joy, the soft rose-tint creep over cheek
and brow.
Il am old, poor and unworthy, but ! love
you with a love that can never falter or grow
cold. Is that love so precious as to make HE,
in your eyes, the equal of other men?'
NO, monsieur" " said Bertha, with a smile
which brought "A quick flush to the dark
cheek OF NJ. Max.
what sayest thou, my best beloyedy" he
murmured.
was Sut . child when YOU left me, mon-
sieur, yet | knew felt-as for thinking YOU
the equal of other men, every one knows
said Bertha, faltering under the rapture IN
his dark eyes, that 1 have always declared,
though ! never knew till YOU came back that
there was n~ooody-no, not In all the world
snlN.Axs ltlrA a AfnXNN