Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-07-22
CHAPTER XIII.

There's that's for re membrance,
and there Is pansies, that's for thoughts.
Hamlet.
Lay out your festive garments, we who are
wont to wear them; spread them ont; ay,
gaze upon them lovingly, for after tonight
they will not be so fresh again. The long,
expected, much-wishel for night has come,
and that nothing may be wanting TO it, joys,
she too has put on her trailing garments
fringed with light" and is as beautiful IS
ever midsummer night need be.
Gay hearts are gayer than ever to-night;
maidens' cheeks are flushing and their hearts
are throboing rs with the help OF anxious
mammals and tired maids they are arraying
themselves in what seems goodly to their
eyes.
But Mt the parsonage one little room is
dark and unlighted-a little room against
whose window the sweet vines Chamber and
lay their heads so lovingly together. through
which the soft night airs watt their gentle
kIsses-and here la his ~leatler chair an old
man sits alone; an old man on whose head
time has laid his frosty-finger, but not hardly
has he dealt with him, for tile sorrows which
lave been his share, have but sottened the
rugged lines and left a tender impress about
the once stern mouth. AMI though the fire.
and sparkle have long since died troa. the
eyes, there has come instead a kindly flame,
and so he sits there in the twilight with his
book upon his lap and his eyes liked on one
bright star above his head.
He has learned to look for that star for It
comes every night above his study window,
and. shining down upon him, seems to say:
'Be OF good cheer, for | will not leave thee
comfortless." And tonight he wants COM
fort, for his heart is heavy and his mind busy
with the past In general. when he has leisure
20 think, his mimi gve, forward j%oyfuiiy with
glad thoughts OF that fair city which all lis
life through he has been struggling asid
striving to reach; that eternal city with its
gates OF pearl at which he will lay down the
burdens he has carried for many a weary day
and enter into everlasting bliss. But to-
night his mind has travelled back to the Older
days, and his thoughts are sadder far than
glad. And the star shines brighter still and
sends its soft rays of comfort into his heart.
But some one has broken upon his reyery
now, for the door opens, a glad step IN
towards him, and two white hands are laid
on his.
IL have come TO SEQ you, DOME" cries the
glad voice. For you to admire and see IL l
am all right Put on your spectacIes and see
If l am your own little Nelly or a hne young
woman you never saw before"
She turns on a small blaze OF light as she
speaks and stands directly under II. not
fearing that the glare OF light will make her
beauty pale. And the old man, dazzled by
the sudden radiance, turns away from MS
star and the star feels Its duty done. And so
he turns to look at her. she, who Is the apple
Of his eye. Fair and straight she stands be-
. Meath tha Ai.lart.sr lfsrtlt fRhaal I'm Rftsl "
tinted stuff that falls in straight heavy fo,ds
to her tiny slipperea feet, all tngarnished by
any flounce or rufie: low-neckcd Is she anu
the soft lace clings lovingly about the fair
young neck and arms. At her waist, and
cauglIt in the folds of her creamy gown. as.
though thrown there By nature. lie clusters
OF pansies, purple as tho evening sky. anu
great streaked tiger lilies; her brolZe hair -
bound low dow upon her neck; her cheeks
are bright with soft color, and her eyes shine
dark as night
His eyes rest lingcringiy, caressingly upon
her and speak the Animation that his lips
withhold. Beautiful she Is rs some great
tropic flower far down In It's southern giades
with head 50 proudly to the sunlight
II see you think l am" she cries, and with
sudden movement turns out the light, and,
coming to him, kneels down in ali her soft
draperies aud twines her soft bare arms
ehcns e.s threat ..ycala yca love me were
j ugly, DOnier'
MY darling-yeS"
J She lays her peach-like cheeks to his and
together they look out at the star.
sAnd you are happy tonight, little oney'
"very. nm going TO have such a good
time at the ball. You do not know what .
belle your little Nelly will De-"
He strokes her hair fondly.
II only wish l was not going to leave you
90 lonely" she goes on.
II shall have my books Do not think of
me-"
'.But you are weary tonight, DOME. I.sec
Il In your face. You will not read tonight.
You will sit here and think till you are mis-
erable. Promise me you viii not walt for
me 10 come"
II will not"
A long pause. The moons steals In and
! rests on the gold Inc siivered heads bent 80
close together. A pQnsy slips from her breast
and falls Into her lap. She holds u Gus 10
"A heartease, DOME. 1t will make you
think better thoughts when You are all
: alone, with no pretty, stupid Nell 70 talk TO
y0u."
There Is another silence They are strangely
taciturp tonight
sDonle," says the girl. lifting her flower.
like face to hiA 'ilad l known my father l
could not hare loved him mort than l do
ycu."
.Ah, my pet,n he cries taxing her two
| hands IN his, II almost wish you did not love
me %. What viii you do when ] am goney'