The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-07-09


L am going away to Wilbraham {
school. Don't you wish you eoaid g
to school?" Q
How the boys gcoat dark eyes flashed
and what beautiful glow brok
through the twarthy sunbeam on hi
cheek He did not speak. He onl
turned away slowly, and stood gain
out upon the cold gray sea.
The day was setting in steel-blu
| clouds, great banks of them obscuret
| the western sun, and from the troubled
sea vast masses of drenciipg fog sweep
up the rocky coast and settled hesvil,
down on the land.
That night MIR. Rutherford calleC
Duke into his bed-chamber, where b,
kept his private desk and his meagr,
story books. He took from an ebon,
casket ring set with a diamond orb
tone.
'IIThere, my son." he said, "is the
only thing have on earth to show tha
noble blood flows in my veins. Tha
ring belonged to my great grandfather
the duke of Somerset. 1t cost five
thousand dollars 1t will bring readily
more than half that sum. / bequeatf
it to you. Will you keep it to show
the world that your ancestors were
mobiles ?-or-." He psused anG
looked eagerly into the face of the
boy.
"Or what, father2" Dukes face
was eager. hopeful already he had
hslf OWNED his fathers meaning.
You love books. had thought
you might desire an education. The
proceeds of that ring will defray your
expenses at school-maybe through
college. But you can say if you,
choose, what shall it be ?"
ooh, father knowledge before any
thing else in this world What care ]
if my body st&rve, so that my soul he
fed -
So it was decided, and fortnight
afterward Duke left Romney and en-,
tered the preparatory school at C.
Six years passed. Duke had been
six months in college, and was home
ON a brief vacation.
Miss Delmaine had Just graduated at
a fashionable finishing school, and re-
turned TO the hall, a wonderfully beau
tiful and accomplished young lady,
followed by train of obsequious adj
mirers.
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 ont to the sea. He
heard her steps--perhaps the thrill at
his heart told him who was coming.
The heliotrope had lam there all these
six years. He rose anu turned toward
her, waiting her pleasure. She might
recognize him or not, Just as she
chose.
She passed him with a haughty
glance. He did not finch, but stood
with folded arms-his tall, manly fig
ure outlined against the purple sky,
his face lit mp by the young moon. A
faint flush rose to her white forehead.
Is it Duke Rutherford ?"
Miss DcImaine 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 II. He bent over her and whispered
Il have the heliotrope yet, Hor-
tense"
Her eyes blazed; she snatched her
hand from his, as if his touch stuug
her. Remember TO whom you ore
speaking " she said. sharply.
q do remember"
q have other business than listen
ing to the silly talk of love-siok boy.
So, goodnight"
Duke struck his breast as she hasten
ed away.
The time may come" he tnutfered,
Eyes. it may happen that she will be
glad TO unsay those two words I can
wait !"
Six years passed again. Duke Ruth
erford had a name in the land. On
his graduation he had studied law, been
admitted 90 the bar in due time, and
after two years successful practice his
talent had won him the appointment of
judge for the district.
Wealth came to him slowly, but fame
was not cbRry. Alrendy he ranked high
as poet in his own country, and critics
across the sea were beginning to speak
of him with favor. His father was dead.
There was no tie, save memory, to bind
him 10 the old place at Romney. 50
he travelled, when he could DO so with
benefit.
One day, late in November, he found
himself aboard an ocean steamer, bound
to New York. He had been on a bust
ness tour to Europe, and was returning
home. There was gay party of ladies
snd gentlemen among the passengers,
wealthy aristocrats who have been :" do
ing" the W ndeIs of tho old land.
The second day of the voyage they
we're all on deck at sunset-prOmen-
aiding, laughing, chatting enjoying the
fresh breezes. Duke was there also.
He met Hortense nelmaine face to face
"a proud, beautiful woman now. Her
youth had not made false prophecies of
the Tory of her wOmanhood. He had
heard of her fame in the gay Partisan
capital; and, looking at her now, he
was free 10 confess that she had not
worn her 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
ard fathOmless as some woodland spring
into which the sunshine never looks ;
her lips, ripe, perfect, her w Gle air
and bearing full of naughty grace.
She was leaning on the arm Cf tall,
AJAthAANAA AOChiLS man DAb OuOuBu HilB
smiled at his soft nothings, she was
gazing out, over and beyond him and
his range of thought, to the sea stretch
ing so dMkly blue and boundless to
meet the twilight glory.
Duke Rutherford stopped before her
Just as she dIsepgaged 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, shnddeTed slightly, ana
drew up her shawl. Duke assisted her.
Mr.. Rutherford, you turn up once
in SIX years, IL seems.
H. smiled to himself. So she remem-
bsred how long it was since she had
seen him.
cit is like going back to my lost boy
hood to see you, Miss Delmsine. I"
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.. TrevauOn, Mr.. Rutherford"
They bowed coldly. They would
never be better acquainted. There was
nothing i'll their natures which would