The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-12-07
The Death of Love.

The jasmine sprays dropped so low
they touched the dark head bending low
over the golden one in the moonlight,
enveloping both youth and maiden in its
N6avy perfume. Suddenly the strong
hands clasped the white ones, lying at
rest on the old gate bars. and a deep
vofe broke the silence.
~ love you'll love you!'
Slowly, falteringly, came the answer:
al like you."
Almost roughly the imprisoned hands
were released and in a moment more
the leafy shadows in the land divided
the two.
Laughingay Love awoke in his Sc
cluded bower and shaking the heavy
dew from his clustering curls, gazed
eagerly over the smiling landscape.
Jauntly placing chaplet of roses he
picked up his culver Of arrows, anx-
iously examining the points of every
one, cleaning sharply in the sunlight,
then started gaily on his way through
the sunny valley to where She dwelt
amid the shadows of the mountain top.
AS he went along. old and young
smiled upon him. greeting him with
merry song and laughter, eager to do
coming Love. When weary, softest
couches of fragrant flowers awaited
him; when thirsty, the choicest Offer
ings of the vintage were proffered him
by fairest hands. Yet could Love
neither rest nor accept the generous
gifts. To reach Her was his only
thought.
No doubt assailed him and the valley
echoed with the tones of his silvery
voice chanting praises of his lady fair,
his eyes fixed upon the white mists of
the mountain, not seeing on every side
the maidens vainly reaching out i'm.
ploring hands. And more than fair
were they, made to love and be loved,
and yet Love passed them by unheed.
ing. Cruel Love!
When the sun had reached the geMm
Love gladly left the beautiful va1l3S
springing with eager feet up the elop&
of the frowning mountain. Soon the
sun, beating down upon his unprotected
head, withered the chaplet of roses and
the white feet pressed YEARLY the sharp
rocks forming the steep mountain path
vet never wavering in his upward flight
Love still pressed on towards his goal.
Slowly waned the afternoon as if loath
to let the weary traveller escape it's
cruel embrace and Love. with renewed
strength, Speu upWdTu, TO where
she always awaited the coming of the
Evening Star. Reaching the narrow,
rocky ledge he sank down to await the
coming of his star. taking from his
chaplet one pure white bud which the
evening dew had awakened to new life |
and fragrance, an Offering to Her. Oh, |
rare gift, an unblemished flower from
the divine crown of Immortal Love!
From her misty home far up the |
mountain heights Indifference saw but |
needed not. the coming of Love. her |
thoughts intent upon the Evening Star, |
50 far. so very far. above her! AS the |
shadows heightened she went slowly |
down toward the rocky ledge. so narrow |
two could not pass upon it. When |
Love saw her he started up with rap
turous cry. which died into silence be- |
fore the immoyable calm Of the sweet |
face lifted to scan the heavens. Be- |
wildered and chilled Love pleaded in |
vain: no reply to his passionate profess
tations came from the statuesque figure
in the purple shadows, the /
dusky hair gemmed with the tears Of
Night Moved to Impotence by his
Indifference drew her icy
dagger just as heavy pail spread over
the point of heaven where the Evening |
Star appeared. When 1t was swept |
aside Love lay prone In the dust. un-