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

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 borne up by some power beyond her
own strength-upward and onward thro'
the billows. till her feet touched the
j firm shore of the cape. Then. into the
light and warmth of fishers cottage.
and when they had laid her down on
the rude settle she opened her eyes and
saw-Duke Rutherford.
You have saved me q she asked.
al had the honor"
The door opened and Mr Trevanon
appeared. Whatever Hortense might
have said by way of thanks was check
d.by his entrance, and directly after
wards Duke went out. Three weeks
passed before they met again, and then
it was in the old place on the cliff 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 we're still wet she had
been weeping over the dead.
Duke found her thus, and seating
himself beside her, drew her head down
on his shoulder.
"HOrtense," said he, Il love you. |
defy your contempt, | dare repeat it to
you. | love you!"
For a moment it seemed to him that
she clung to him. then cast him away,
and rose to her feet. And when she
spoke her voice was cold and unmoved.
''On New Years eve | am to be married
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 (! 1t will be my death !''
q q q
1t is the last day of the old year.
Duke Rutherford. stern and gloomy
man. was about to bid adieu to his ma
tive land for long season.
Almost unconsciously, he turned his
steps toward Delmaine Hall. 1t rose
up, gloomy, massive pile. lighted only
BY the red freight, at single window.
Tomorrow night it would blaze with
lamps to shine upon her bridal. He
paused to turn back, but something led
him on. Through the deserted gardens.
up to the broad door, which stood ajar.
all was quiet within. The 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 push
ed it softly open. He saw no one. Still
he went on and sat down in a great
lOunging chair before the warm blaze.
Some one rose up from sofa at the
other end of the fireplace. He started
up. sn apology on his lips for his auda.
cious intrusion. She--it was Hortense
clad not in bridal but in sable vest.
ments, and destitute of ornament, came
toward him, looked up into his eyes and
let her white hand rest upon his shoul.
der. Duke" she said. at last, hel
eyelids dropping. her cheeks crimson
''have | offended past forgiveness %
He did not answer Only looked al
her. She went on Persistently. Il will
let the truth speak. Duke Rutherford
love yos have loved yCu all along
But pride came near to be my ruin
Thank God at last. have clean hands
and pure heart | have dismissed Eu
gene TrevanOn. and true to myself, true
to you. cast aside all womanly modes
ty and shame, and tell you that 1 Low,
you!"
"Hortense," he said, us this thinI
true ? Are you done with that man p
al have done with him." she replied
He gathered her into his arms. "AnC
whose are you now ?"
"Yours. if you will take me"
| And Duke Rutherford did not sail 70
Europe, which was sensible.