The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-09

never be any better acquainted. There
was nothing in their natures which
would assimilate.
After this Miss Delamere and Mr..
Rutherford never met alone. Whether
she was afraid of her strength if brought
too much into contact with his win
ming presence; afraid that her pride
would give way to the dictates OF her
own heart, cannot be known. Certain
it is that she allowed him no opportuni-
ty of pleading his suit.
The voyage was drawing to a close.
They we're nearing the end. A great
storm arose; the vessel was driven far
out of her track. and drifted down to
the Cape. One dark, direful night, in
spite of skill and frenzied effort, the
ship struck the rocks of lee shore, and
parted.
A little moment to realize the horror
of their situation, only was left for those
on board. Miss Delamere, pale but
calm. was holding the arm of Sir George
Trevor; her friends, shrieking and terri
fed. stood near. She was not looking
at the threatened destruction before
her, but over her shoulder with hun
cry, wlstful something in her eyes, as if
she forgot what she saw not. The ex-
preston died out as Duke Rutherford
appeared; for an instant their eyes met.
In that moment he knew he was be-
loved with wild fervor even equal
to his own.
Then there was dull plunge, a wild
shrek of agony, and the water swarmed
with struggling human beings! The
world had grown dark to Lucy, but she
felt herself borne up by some power be-
through the pillows, till her feet
touched the firm shore of the Cape.
Then into the light and warmth of a
fsherman's cottage, and when they had
laid her down on the rude settle she
opened her eyes, and saw-Duke Ruth
erford.
"You saved me ?"
II had that honor
"And my mother?"
"She is saved Also"
The door opened, and Sir George
Trevor appeared. Whatever Lucy
might have said by way of thanks, was
checked by his entrance, and directly
afterwards, Duke went out. A few days
later on, a vessel from the Cape con-
veyed amidst other passengers, Mrs. and
Miss Delamere and Sir George Trevor
back to England. Mr.. Rutherford pro-
ceeded to New York and accomplished
his mission.
It was months before he and Miss
Delamere met again and then it was at
the old place on the cliffs at Romney
Mrs. Delamere was dead; the shock
of the shipwreck had proved too much
for her, and she returned to England
only to die. Lucy had been to visit her
grave, and on her return sat for a mo-
ment on the gray familiar rock to look
out on the wintry sea. Her eyes were
still wet; she had been weeping.
Duke found her thus, and seated him.
self beside her, and drew her head down
on his shoulder.
Lucy" he said, Il love you'll defy
your contempt. l dare repeat it to you.
/ love you"
For a 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 unmoved.
ION New Years eve l am to be married
to Sir George Trevor"
Duke started up seemed about to
make some impetuous speech, checked
himself and left her.
And she threw herself down where he
had stood, moaning QUITO, pride!
pridel it will be my DEATH"
It was the last day of the old year.
Duke Rutherford, a stern and gloomy
man, was about to bid adieu to his ma
tive land for season.
He did not wish to breath the air of
the same country with Lucy, and she
the wife of another. People are differ
ent, you know. Some keep their disap-
pointments ever at heart, others put
them eternally out of their reach, in the
past. Duke wished to free himself from
memory. He had destroyed everything
but the heliotrope, and even that should
be sacrificed, he said, when the ocean
rolled between it and the soil which had
nourished it.
1t was dark, moonless night. with
prophecies of snow in the air. He shut
the door of the cottage where his father
had died, and went out for a walk. He
avoided the path to the cliffs; he had
closed his heart to all dreams of tender
ness.
Almost unconsciously he turned his
steps toward Delamere Hall. 1t rose
up. a gloomy, massive pile. lighted only
by the red freight ut single window.
Tomorrow night it would blaze with
the lamps to shine upon her bridal.
He paused to turn back, but some
thing led him on-through the deserted