Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-09-17
nd looked eagerly into the face of the

might desire an education. The proceed
of that ring will defray your expenses a
school-lnaybe through college. But yoI
can keep it, if you choose. Which shal
it be?''
''Oh, father! knowledge before anythin.
else in the world. What care | il my bod.
starve,s so that my soul be fed?"
So it WAS decided, and a fortnight after.
ward Duke left Romney and entered the
preparatory school at the town of c..
Six years passed. Duke had been six
months at college. and was at home on a
brief vacation.
Miss Delmaine had just graduated at a
fashionable finishing school and returned
to the Hall, a wondrously beautiful and
accomplished young lady, followed by a
train of o~bsequious admirers.
One still June night She stole AWAY from
the revelry Of the Hall, and went, as OF
old. to the cliffs. Duke was there before
her. sitting silent in the moonlight, look
ing out to the sea. He heard her step
perhaps the thrill of his heart told him
who was coming. The heliotrope had lain
there all these six years. He rose and
turned toward her, waiting her pleasure.
She might recognize him OF not, just as
she chose. +
eShe passed him with a naughty glance.
He did not finch, but stood with folded
arms-his tall, manly figure outlined
against the purple sky, his face lit up by
the young moon. A faint flush rose to her
white forehead.
SIS it Duke Rutherford?" /
"Miss Delmaine!' Allow me to welcome
you home"
She gave him her hand. After all, old
memories still held sway in her heart.
Some secret andaclty moved him to say
it.
He bent over and whispered: 81 have
got the heliotrope yet, Hortense."
Her eyes blazed; she sllatched her hand
away from mis- as if his touch stung her.
Remember to whom you are talking
she said sharply.
81 do remember"
II have other business than listening to
the talk of a loye-sick boy. So good
night"
x
Six years have passed again. Duke
Rutherford had a name in the land. On
graduating he had studied law, been ad-
mitted to the bar i'll due time, and after
two years successful practice, his talents
had won for him the appointment Of judge
of the district-quite a lucrative position.
One day, late in November. he found
himself On board an ocean steamer, on a
business tour to Europe, and was return
ing home. There was a gay party of ladies
and gentlemen among the passengers
wealthy aristocrats, who had been "doing"
tile wonders of the world.
The second day Of the voyage they we're
all on deck at unset-promenading, laugh
ing, chatting-enjoYing the fresh breezes.
Duke was there also. He met Hortense
Delmaine face to face-a proud, beautiful
woman now. Her youth had not made
false prophecies Of the glory Of her woman
hood. He had heard Of her fame in the
gay Partisan capital; and, looking at her
now, he was free to confess that she had
not won undeserved laurels.
She was leaning on the arm of a tall,
Spanish-looking man. Though she smiled
at his soft nothings, she wa gazing out.
over and beyond him and his range of
thought, to the sea, stretching so darkly,
blue and boundless to meet the twilight
glory.
Duke Rutherford stopped before her just
as she ~disengaged herself from her CON-
panion.
ut is the same old ocean upon which we
used to look from the cliffs, Miss Del
maine" he said, quickly.
She wal leaning over the side of the
vessel, looking down at the water. She
lifted her eyes, shuddered slightly, and
drew up her shawl. Duke assisted her.
"Mr. Rutherford, you turn up once in
six years, it seems"
He smiled to himself. So she remember
ed how long since she had seen him.
sit is like going back to my lost boy
hood to see you, Miss Delmaine. L"
He could not finish the sentence. Her
late companion approached and drew her
arm within his. She mentioned the gentle
mems names to each other-''Mr. Trava-
non, Mr.. Rutherford" They bowed
coldly.
Afterwards Miss Delmaine and Mr..
Rutherford never met alone. Sometimes,
surrounded by her friends, she came upon
him, and acknowledged him by a distant
bow-but there was nothing more between
them. +
The voyage was drawing to a close.
They were nearing the harbor. A great
st ,rm arose; the vessel was driven out of
her track, and drifted down to the capes.
One dark, direful night, in spite of skill
and frenzied effort, the ship struck the
rocks Of Il lee shore and parted.
A little moment to realize the fearful
horror of the situation was left to those
on board. Miss Delmaine, pale but calm,
was holding the arm Of Mr.. Trevanon.
Her friends, shrieking and terrified, stood
near. She was not looking on the threat
ening destruction before her, but W her
shoulder. with a hungry, wistful something
in her eyes, as if she forgot not what she
saw not. The expression died out as Duke
Rutherford appeared. For an instant
their eyes met.
Then the ship lurched violently-there
was a dull plunge, a wild shrek Of agony,
and the water swarmed with struggling
! human beings. The world had grown
| dark to Hortense, but she felt herself
borne up by some beyond her strength
upward and onward through the pillows,
until her feet touched the firm shore of
the cape. Then into the light and warmth
of a fishers cottage, and when they laid
L.. la.... 81 tho r.ado cation Sha ononad