Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1909-05-08
CHAPTER TX.
THE FIRE ON CHERRY CREEK.

THE FIRE ON CHERRY CREEK.
The "saplIn bender was followed by
| q week of perfect weather. 1t was un-
| seasonably warm. The yellow mud,
half spoke-deep on the back roads, be-
gan to harden into brick like welts and
ragged pits and ruts; the wheat fields
| had emerged from the snow livid
green, most intense as viewed against
the dun corn lands, and the usual
spring fires, the bane OF the Seven
Mountains, were beginning to creep
here and there on the ridges and to
throw over the landscape a gauZe OF
smoke that blurred all outlines.
1t was Sunday afternoon, and a sill
ence like that of the Indian summer
lay on the valley. The sun, a rim Of
old brass, hung lustrelessly over the
smudge that was Roaring Run, and a
coZy twilight was creeping on, even
with the sun full in sight
Whether 1t was the spring day, or
whether it was the memory of the Sab
bath before when he had tried his best
to propose and had been managed out
Of it, something, 1t was evident, had
stirred Karl Keichline nightly. AS he
had ridden up the Run that morning
there had been desperation in his heart
He would settle 1t before he ever
went back again. He had tried
the gradual approach long enough; he
would make sudden dash, and de-
mand yes or no without alternative.
The day, however, had passed without
progress. She had not evaded him;
on the contrary, she had been with him
even more than usual: but somehow
there had been no chance. 1t had not
seemed her fault. There had been sud
den accidents and Interruptions and in
trusions until 1t had seemed as II fate
itself were against him. And all day
the fever in his heart had burned high
er. He had never seen her so joyous
and Irresistible, and sweetly feminine;
she had awed him, and thrilled him,
and Captivated him until he was intoXi-
Gated and helpless.
But every man has his chance.
Suddenly he saw Rose make a dash
across the garden toward the cherry
trees. Her cat had caught a robin.
Here, Dick! Here, here, here!" she
was calling eXcitedly. He leaped from
the porch and together they succeeded
In cornering the cat in nook beyond
the trees. 1t made an attempt to get
through the chicken-wire fence, then
dropped the bird and dashed by them.
The robin lay still moment, but as
they approached, it fiuttered into a
shrub.
"Oh, do you think it's hurt?" she
asked eagerly.
4Nol a. uil. II DlllN hS
sponded with conviction.
But just see how the poor little
thing shakes. Just see how he's
rumpled up" There was a pathetic
culver in her voice.
Hes only frightened, that's all.
He's all right. But Rose'-he changed
his tone abruptly-"I want you to mar
ry me. VIII you, Rose?" She gave
him a swift, startled look, then sidled
hastily toward the shrub
"Oh, see, his wing must be broken.
Just see how It hangs down. oh, see!
''No, 1t isn't. See him fly? But will
you marry me, Rose? Say, will your
He came close to her. There was
tragic, do-or-die look in his face.
"Oh,' my dishes IL get stone-cold.
must go right back" She started off
decisively, but he kept close to her al
most desperately.
But your answer-will you marry
me?
why, what a question:"
Yes or no. will you marry me?" he
repeated dogEedly. - = So. -