Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-08-14

lie Dad been on business tour 10 Europe, ana
was returning home. There WAS gay party of
ladies' and gentlemen among the passengers,
aristocratH who had been doing" the wonders
Of the old land.
The second day OF the voyage they we're all on
deck at sunset t-promenading, laughing, chat
also. He met Hortense Delmaine face to face
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 free to confess that she had not worn
undeserved laurels.
Her wealth of dark hair rippled away from
her white forehead, and was gathered into
massive coil at the back of her head her eyes
were deep and fathomless as some woodland
spring into which the sunshine never looks her
lips red, ripe, perfect her whole air and bear
ing full of naughty grace.
She was leaning on the arm OF tall, Spanish
looking man !; but, though she smiled at his soft
nothings, she was gazing ont, over and beyond
him and his range of thought, to the sea stretch
ing so darkly blue and boundess to meet the
twilight glory.
Duke Rutherford stopped before her Just as
she disengaged herself from her companion.
'lt is the same old ocean upon which We used
to look from the cliffs. Miss Demaine." he said
quietly.
She was leaning over the side of tho vessel,
looking down at the water. She lifted her eyes,
sbnddered slightly, and drew up her shawl.
Duke assisted her
"Mr. rutherford, you turn up once in six years
it seems"
He smiled to himself 80 she remembered how
long it was since she had seen him
sit is like going back to my lost boyhood to
see you, Miss Delmaine ="
He did not finish the sentence. Her late COM
panion approached, and drew her arm within his.
She mentioned the gentlemen's names to each
other - "Mr Trevanon, Mr. Rutherford"
They bowed coldly. They would never be any
better acquainted. There WAS nothing in their
natures which would assimilate.
Afterwards, Miss Delmaine and Duke never
met alone; sometimes surrounded by her friends
she came upon him, and acknowledged him by q
distant bow-bnt there was nothing more be-
tween them.
The voyage was drawing to a close They were
nearing the harbor. great storm 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 a leeshore and parted
A little moment to realize the dreadful horror
of their situation, only, was loft those on board.
Miss Delmaine, pale but cam was holding tho
arm OF Mr.. Treyanon her friends, shreking and
terrified stood near. She was not looking at the
threatening destruction before her, but over her
shoulder with a hungry, wistful something in
her eyes, as if she forgot what she saw not The
expression died not as Duke rutherford appear
ed; for an instant their eyes met
Then-the ship lurched violently-there was
dull plunge, 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 power beyond her
own acknowledgement and onward through the
pillows till her feet touched the firm shore of
the cape. Then, into the light and warmth of a
fishers COTTAGE and when they had laid her
down on rude settee she opened her eyes, and
| saw-Duke Rutherford.
"You saved me ?" she asked
~ had that honor"
The door opened, and Mr. Trevanon appeared.
Whatever Hortense might have said, by the way
Of thanks, WAS checked by his entrance, and d.
rectly afterwards, Duke went out. Three weeks
passed before they met again, and then it WAS in
the old place on the cliffs at Romney.
Mrs. Delmaine was dead ; Hortense had been
to visit her grave, and on her return, sat for a
moment, on the gray, familiar rock to look out
on the wintry sea. Her eyes were still wei she
had been weeping oyer the dead.
Duke found her thus. and sea ting himself be-
side her, drew her head down on his shoulder
+" Hortense,' he said, 1" / love you. 1 defy
your contempt. dare repeat it to you. love
you ~
For moment, it seemed to him that she chung
to him, then cast him away, and rose to her feet.
And when she spoke, her voice was cold and un-
moved. " On New Years eve / am to be mar
| ried to Eugene Trevanon."
| Duke started up--seemed about to make some
| impetuous speech, checked himself. bowed and
| left her.
And she threw herself down where he had
| stood, moaning out" Oh, pride pride it will
be my death J"
1t is the last day OF the old year.
Duke Rutherford, stern and gloomy man,
WAS about to bid adieu to his native land, for a
/ long SEASON.
He did not wish to breathe the air of the same
| continent with Hortense, and she the wife OF
| another People are different, yon know.
Some keep their disappointments ever at heart,
| others put them eternally out of their reach, IN
4 the past Duke wished to free himself from
memory. He had destroyed everything but the
heotrope ana even that should be sacrificed, he
| said, when the ocean rolled between 1t and the
| soil which had nourished 1t
| 1t was dark, moonless night, with prophe-
| cies Of SNOW in the air. He shut tho door of the
| cottage where his father had died, and went out
| for walk. He avoided the path to the cliff
he had closed his heart to all dreams of tender
/ ness.
| Almost unconscously, he turned his steps to-
| ward Delmaine Hall. 1t rose up, gloomy mas
sve pile, lighted only blythe red freight, at 8
single window. Tomorrow nght,it. would blaze
| with the lamps lit to shine upon her bridal.
| UHe paused to turn back, but something led him
on. Through the deserted gardens, up to the
| broad door which stood ajar. All WAS quiet with
| in. Tho guests were in bed Only some tardy
servant was up-it would do no harm TO glance
| within.
He stepped to the door OF the room where he
had seen the light, and pushed 1t softly open
He saw n more. Still he went en,and sat dowr
in great lounging chair before the warm plaze
| Some one rose up from sofa at the other enc
| of the fire place. He started up, an apology Oh
his lip for his audacious intrusion. Shs-i
WAS Hortense. .cad, not in bridal robes but in
| sable vestments, and destitute OF ornament
came toward him, looked up into his eyes, aHd
let her white. hands rest upon his shoulders
| .Duke" she said, at last her eyelids dropping
her cheeks crimson, 'have offended past for
giveness 7" ~,
He did not answer. Only looked at her. She
went on persistently. ~ will let the truth
speak, Duke Rutherford. love you have
loved you all along But pride came nigh to be
ing my ruin Thank God at last, / have
got clean hands and pure heart l have dis
missed Eugene Trevanon, and true to mysel
true to you, cast aside all womaniy modest,
and shame, and tell you that love you !"
"Hortense" he said, sis this thing true? Are
you done with that man 7"
II have done with him, she said, softly.
He gathered her into his arms. "And whost
are you now?"
yours il you will take me 7"
And Duke Rutherford forgot his animoslty to
America, and did not sail for Europe, which wa
| senshle u Petersous Journal