Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-24

*The Red ehinnney*
sss 81
IS BY Mrs. Stephen Crane. e
by Mrs. Stephen Crane.

wise as seven owls. 1t cannot be argued.
1t is to be demonstrated. renewal of
my protestations of love would not be
convincing" He burst out passionately
as if he could no longer endure the
weight of his hopes. his fears, his
wrongs. But why not make an attempt
for happiness? You love me. l love you.
What is there in this Internal environ
ment that should make us value it:
What is there to suffice us if we have
not each other? Nothing / tell you,
nothing"
Wait" she said. God forgive us-it
cannot be long to wait now
wait, wait. My soul is weary of this
waiting" he answered. He will never
die: he is too selfish; he will see us both
in our graves, l tell you. Is all our
youth to be worn thread bare, Wanting
for this selfish brute to shuttle OFF, He
licked at her steadily for moment
then continued: do you know that I
believe that in spite of the life he has
led YOU you love him, now. more than
you do me?"
She was very white and the pain in her
eyes should have warned him.
NO" he said, -four years is long
enough to wait: long enough for you to
| make up your mind Do you know that
you have played fast and loose with me
for four years? Four-long- years?
Now you must decide. Will you come
with me-dear heart. will you come with
ne? Say-speak-will you come to the
shelter of my love or do you send me
away forever? ! will wait no longer;
am determined: choOSe-hin--' and he
J shook his closed hand at the red CHM
| ncys. ''or happiness with me?'
The tops of the naples swayed in the
| wind and there was the silver sound
among the branches of the sea at night
as it rolls w the summer sands in tiny
waves. Some current Of air raised long
scarf of dying leaves a scarf of browns
and yellows, with here and there a blot
OF crimson--a drop of blood from an
! aneuished leaf heart-which swirled
| about the tall form of the girl There
! was the chill of storm in the air, and
, over the red chinlneys We're w-hung
! lead cOlored clouds. The girl Shivered
and drew her cape closely about her
| shoulders. AS she moved a faint per-
. f,ime of lavender came to the man. He
took hold OF both her hands with his and
drew her to him, eagerly. gazing at her
face, close to his own: now noting
every feature; the small. straight nose;
! tn. forehead low and broad. crowned
with masses of dark waving hair: the
small, rounded chin. beneath the sweet
trembling mouth! And her eyes-her
eyes now dark with the pain of this
passion. which she felt was mastering
her. She could feel his warm breath
upon her cheek. Her hands crept up his
arms and about his neck; she threw her
! head back. and. as she did--their lips met
IL one long kiss.
The following morning the man awak-
ened with a song upon the lips that she
had kissed AS he dressed he strutted as
self-satisfied cock might strut while
he plumed himself in the barnyard. They
were to leave that night. OF course
nothing could prevent her going now
nothing but DEATH she had said. All
the morning he was busy arranging his
affairs for a long absence.
At noon came a messenger with note
1t was from her. How we'll he knew the
gray paper and the dainty writing. He
caressed the envelope before he opened
il. why, 1 am getting as sentimental
as a woman he said aloud, laughingly
Then he tore the note open, and this is
what it said:
Forgive, forgive me. my beloved.
have chosen death. l could not leave
him, and after yesterday there is nc
peace for me but in death. Forgive me
fer have loved you more than life"
, The woman killed herself on October
the 9th. Her husband died of long
lingering illness on October 10th.
: Under the naples the man walked ant
; the little leaves of brown and yellow
and htose with the crimson blots danced
: about him. The man had grown old il
two days, frost had touched his temples
; and his face was gray and drawn. H,
. looked at the red chimneys above the ire
tops; he held out his arms towards them
! yearningly. with half-stif1ed moan
The little leaves danced and flew il
clouds before his eyes, they beat hin
upon the face: they seemed to run ant
jump before his sight, binding him
singing him, he held his arms to
wards the red chimneys