The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-12-21
BY HELEN HARCOURT.

A young man, clad in the uniform
of the United States navy; young
girl, her slender form clothed in a
robe OF pure white, that well became
her dark, glowing beauty; glowing,
especially just now, for cheek and
brow were suffused by the rich warm
color, quick throbbing heart had
sent hither, as tell-tale messengers OF
a truth. The fair lips were slow to
speak.
For Mary Colbert had just been
bearkening to story-old-old as
the world itself, yet ever new and
bright and full of interest.
Presently 'Alick Kilbourne, his
bronzed face paling little, spoke
again.
"And you will not even answer
me, Mary? After all these years OF
silent devotion, from boyhood to
manhood, of patient waiting and
working till l had risen in my pros
fession, to position in which l could
support a wife, you will not even tell
me if l may still hope? have hoped,
Mary, have dared to hope that
some dayI'might call you my own dear
wife. / was too presumptuons, l see,
and yet-oh Mary Mary! won't you
try to learn to love me? All these
years | have struggled on aud up. SO
that 1 might speak; it was hard to
wait so long in silence, but L knew
your good father, rich and prudent
himself, would not listen to me until
could write myself Captain and
now you will not even answer mel"
"Alick--I-I-" The 4uivering
lips still refused to frame the words
he forged to hear, but the beautiful
eyes, tull Of love and trust, and the
outstretched hand did their work tor
them, and with a glad, happy cry,
the young officer drew her close TO
him, and pressed on the warm red
lips the first sweet kiss of acknowl.
edged love.
Long they sat there, looking out
over the broad waters OF the ocean,
rising and falling 10 the fading sum
light; not sail in sight, save those
trinity furled on the tapering masts
OF sloop-of>war lying at anchor i'll
the roadstead before tnem.
AT length the darkening twilight
warned the lovers of fact very apt
to be forgotten under such circum-
stances as the present-namely, that
"time is fleeing"
Il suppose your father will be
wondering what has become of his
little 'housekeeper," said the young
captain, with sigh, as they rose TO
depart. II will come ashore and see
him early in the morning; tonight l
must go aboard tie 'Petrel, and make
sure that all is ready to sail ,o-mor.
row in pursuit OF her mate as we
call the Sea Gull You have heard
about it? No? Well, there were
two sloops.ot war built at the same
time and place, exactly alike; they
were commissioned at the same time
and sailed together to fight the Brit.
lsh cruisers that are lowering about
our coast. That was six months ago
before 1 was placed in command OF
the Petrol. Well, the Sea Gull dis
appeared in less than two months
and until lately, was supposed tc
have been wrecked, but we have sure
information now that she fell into tn,
hands of desperate who is using
her to cruise along this coast, over
hauling and plundering merchant YES
sells, and even unprotected sea>boarC
towns, under letter Of nadrque iron
the British Government. She ha
even kidnapped several persons anC
held them tor ransom. My ORDER
are TO run him 10 the death, and Coo
helping me, will !"
The young couple moved away
and as they disappeared, tall, dark
Two wed man crept out from the cluml
ot bushes that had shaded their COY
nook. -, :, =,
"Run me to death, will he? 1
4. kes two to that bargain, as tha
1no, I'D young fellow will find out he