Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-10-07

|
girdle. He put it back when shesofer
ed it. A
sGlve me the bunch of hellotrope in
your hair"
She pulled it out and laid it in his
hand i
"Good-bye, Duke, I am going home
may not see you again. Tomorrow
I am going away to W1braham to
school. Don't you wish you could go
to SCHOOL,"
That night Mr.. Rutherford called
| Duke into his bedchamber, where be
kept his private desk and his meagre
| stock of books. He took from an ebony
casket ring set with diamond ors
hitonc.
''There, my son." he said, ''is the
only thing I have on earth to show
that noble blood flows in my veins.
That ring belonged to my great grand.
father, the Duke of Somerset It cost
five thousand dollars. 1t will readily
bring more than half that sum. Il be-
queath it to you. Will yen keep it to
show to the world that your ancestors
We're noble-or-or." He paused and
looked eagerly into the face of the
hoy. b
''Or what, father?" Dukes face
was eager, hopeful. Already he had
half OWNED his fathers meaning,
"You love books. I had thought
you might desire an education. The
! proceeds of that ring will defray your
expenses at school-maybe through
college. But you can keep it, if you
choose. Which shall it be!"
"Oh, father knowledge before any,
thing else in the world. What care l
if my body starve, SO that my soul be
fed e
So it was decided, and a fortni ght
afterward Duke left Romney and en-
tered the preparatory school at the
town of c..
Six years passed. Duke had been
six months at college, and was at home
on brief vacation
Miss Delmaine bad just graduated at
a fashionable finishing school and re-
turned to the Hall, wondrously beau
titul and accomplished young lady, fol.
lowed by train of obsequious admir-
ers.
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
m oonlight, looking out to the sea. He
heard her step-perhaps the thrill Of
his heart told him who was coming
The helitrope had lain there all these
SIX years. He rose and turned toward
her. waiting 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 fig.
ure outlined against the purple sky, his
face lit up by the young moon. A
faint flush rose 10 her white fore
head.
els it Duke Rutherford ?"
"Miss Delmaine!" Allow me t
welcome you home.
she gave him her hand. After al
old memories still held sway in he
heart.
Some secret audacity moved him te
say it.
He bent over aud whispered 81
have got the heliotrope yet, Hor
tense"
Her eyes blazed she Snatched he
hand away from his as if his toucl
stung her.
"Remember to whom you are talk
ing" she said sharply.
Il do remember"
81 have other business than listen
ing to the talk of a love sick boy. Sc
good night"
|
Six years have passed again. Duke
Rutherford bad name in the land. Or
graduating he had studied law, beer
admitted to the bar in due time, and
after two years successful practice, his
talents had won for him the appoint.
ment of Judge of the district-qnfte a
lucrative position.
One day, late in November, he
found himself on board an ocean steam
er on business tour to Europe, ano
was returning home There was a gay
party of ladies and gentlemen among
the passengers-wealthy aristocrats
who had been "doing" the wonders Of
the world.
The second day of the voyage they
were all on deck at sunset-promenad'
ing, laughing, chatting-enjoylng the
| fresh breezes. Duke was there also
| He met Horense Delmaine face tt
| face-a proud, beautiful woman now
| Her youth had not made false prophe-