Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-06-10

! thing else in the world! What care
if my by body starve, so that my sou
be fedr
So it was decided, and fortnight af
! terward Duke left Romney and entered
the preparatory school at c..
Six years passed. Duke had beer
six months in college, and was home
on a brief vacation.
Miss Delmaiue had just graduated a
a fashionable finishing school, and re-
turned to the Hall, Il wonderfully beau
full and accomplished young lady, fol
lowed by train of obsequious adrni
| rers.
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 at his heart
trope bad lain there all these six years.
He rose and turned towards her, wait
ing her pleasure. She might recog-
nize him or not, just as she chose.
She passed him with a naughty
glance. He did not finch, but stood
with folded arms-his tall, manly fig
ure outlined against the purple sky, his
face lit up by the young moon. A
faiut flush rose to her white forehead.
is it Duke Rutherford?
Miss Delmaine! Allow me to well
come you home.'
She gave him her hand. After all,
old memories still held their sway in
her heart.
Some secret audacity moved him to
say it. He bent over her and whisper
ed 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
speakingP she said, sharply.
Il do remember
Il have other business than listening
to the silly talk of love-sick boy. So,
goodnight
Duke struck his breast as she hasten
ed away.
The time may come, he muttered,
yes, it may happen that she will be
glad to unsay those two words! l can
waltz
Six years passed again. Duke Ruth
erford had name in the land. On his
graduation he had studied law, been
admitted to the bar in due time, and
after two years successful practice his
talent had won him the appointment
ofjudge for the district.
Wealth came to him slowly, but fame
was not chary. Already he ranked
high as poet in his own country, and
critics across the sea were beginning
to speak of him with favor. His faith
er was dead. There was no tie, save
memory to bind him to the old place
at Romney. So he travelled, when he
could do so with benefit.
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
passengers, wealthy aristocrats, who
had been doing the wonders of the
old land.
The second day of the voyage they
wele all on deck at sunset-prOmena-
ding, laughing, 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 proph-
ecies 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 broad, white forehead,
and was gathered into a 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 ripe, perfect; her whole
air and bearing 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 ga
zing 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
inst as she disengaged herself from her
companion.
1T is the same old ocean upon which
we used to look from the cliffs, Miss
Delmaine,' he said, quietly.
She was 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 re-
membered how long it was since she
had seen him!
1t is like going back to my lost boy
hood to see you, Miss Delmaine. -
He did not finish the sentence. Her
late companion 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 he any better acquainted. There
was nothing in their natures which
assimilate.
Afterwards, Miss Delmaine and Duke
never met alone; sometimes surround
ed by her friends she came upon him,
and acknowledged Kim by distant
bow-but there was nothing more be-
tween them.
They voyage was drawing to a close.
They were nearing the harbor. A
great storm arose; the vessel was driv-
en- out of her track ,and drifted down to
the capes. One dark, direful night, in
spite of skill and frenzicd effort, the
ship struck the rocks of a lee shore, ,and
parted!
A little moment to realize the dread.
ed horror of their situation, only, was
left those on board. Miss Delmaine,
pale, but calm, was holding the arm of
Mr.. Trevsnon; her friends, shriekiug
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 that she saw not.
The expression died out as Duke Ruth
erford appeared; for an instant their
eyes met!
Thep!-the ship lurched violently
there was dull plunge, wild shrek
of agony, and the water swarmed with
human beings! The world
Il 10 70