Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-12-13

So it was decided and fortnight
afterward Duke left Romney and enter
ed the preparatory school at c..
Six years passed. Duke had been
six months in college, and was home oil
a brief vacation.
Miss Delmaine had just graduated at
a fashionable finishing school aud re-
turned to the Hall, wonderously beau
tiful and accomplished young lady. fol-
lowed by train of obsequious admirers
One still July 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 moon
light. looking out to the sea- He heard
her step-perhaps the thrill of his heart
told him who was coming. The hello
trope had lain there all these six years.
He rose and turned towards her, wait
ing her pleasure. She might recognize
him or not. just as she chose.
She passed him with 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.
lis this Duke Rutherford ?"
Miss Delmaine! Allow me to vel
come you home"
She gave him her hand. After all,
old memories held still their sway in her
heart.
Some secret audacity moved him to
say it He bent over her and whisper
ed. II have the heliotrope yet, Hor-
tense"
Her eyes blazed; she snatched her
hand from his as if his touch stung her.
Remember to whom you are speaking J"
she said. sharply.
II do remember"
81 have other business than listening
to the silly talk Of love-sick boy. So
goodnight"
Six years passed again. Duke Ruth
erford had name in the land. On his
graduation he had studied law, been ad-
mitted to the bar in due time, and after
two years successful practice, his talent
had won him the appointment of judge
of the district. ~a
One day. late in November, he found
himself on board an ocean steamer,
bound to New York. He had been on
a business tour to Europe, and was re-
turning home. There was gay party
of ladies and gentlemen among the pas
sengers. wealthy aristocrats who had
been ..dOing" the wonders of the old
land. fE tss sirE .lss
The second day of the voyage they
were all on deck at sunset--promenad-
ing. laughing, chattlng-enjoying the
fresh breeze. Duke was there also. He
met Hortense Dslmaine. face to face-a
proud, beautiful woman now. Her youth
had not made false prophecies of the
glory of her womanhood. He had heard
of her fame in the gay Partisan capital
and looking at her now, he was too free
to confess that she had not worn unde.
served laurels.
She was leaning on the arm of a tall
Spanish-lOoking man; but though she
smiled at his soft nothings, she was gaz-
ing out. over and beyond him and hi.
range of thought, to the sea stretching
SO darkly blue aud boundless to meet
the twilight glory.
Duke Rutherford stopped before heI
just as she disengaged herself from hel
companion.
1T is the same old ocean upon which
we used to look from the cliffs, Miss
Delmaihe," be said, quietly.
She was leaning over the side of the
vessel, looking down at the water. She
lifted her eyes, shuddered slightly. anC
drew up her shawl. Duke assisted her
'.Mr. Rutherford, you turn up once il
six years, it seems"
He smiled to himself So she remem
bered how long it was since she had seel
him
''It is like going back to my lost bog
hood to see you. Miss Delmaine. l.
He did not finish the sentence. He
late companion approached, and drew
her arm within his. She mentioned tn
gentlemen's names to each Otber-"Mr
Trevanon, Mr.. Rutherford" They bow
ed, coldly.
Afterward, Miss Delmaine and Duk
never met alone; sometimes, surrounds
by her friends. she came upon him. an
acknowledged him by a distant bow, bu
there was nothing more between them.
The voyage was drawing to a close
They we're nearing the harbor. A grea
storm arose; the vessel was driven ou
of her track and drifted down to III
capes. One dark direful night. in spit
Of skill and frenzied effort. the shi
struck the rocks Of lee shore aud par
ed.
A little moment to realize the dread
ed horror Of the situation only was le
to those on board. Miss DeImaine. pa
but calm. was holding the arm of NJ
TreyaDon her friends. shrieking an