The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-08-08
KEEPING HIS WORD.
IExchanPe.l

1ort for your sons. ] even promise to give up my life to preserve his, should he and be in peril from which he could be saved in no other way!
 So said the nsble-looking young lieu tenant, Guy Graham, of the armed United States brig, Arizona" to Mrs. Harton, his aunt, whose son, Edward, had just been shipped aboard the vessel as purser.
 Mrs. Harton had once saved Guys father, merchant, from ruin. At time when he had failed in business, she had advanced him money to recommence business with, and had inspired him with courage and hopefulness, so that he was finally enabled to repair his losses and again become prosperous.
 He was a widower, and she was his sister-in-law. After helping him, she moved away to a distant town. Years passed. MT. Graham's son, Guy, became lieutenant in the navy. Mrs. Harton's boy, Edward, was also in the navy, and at length it chanced that he was taken as purser aboard the "Ariz sna, |" then lying off New York haIbor
 Guy had not seen the youth since he was child, until he met him aboard the brig. To tell the truth, he did not like his young cousin Edwards manner. The purser was vain, frivolous and conceited :; but Guy hoped that his character would change for the better as he grew older, for he was now but twenty. Mrs. Harton visited her nephew aboard the vessel. She informed him that Edward was a little "wiid, and begged him to watch over the welfare of her boy-to make him as comfortable and happy as his position of second lieutenant would permit him to do. Then it was that Guy, grateful for her past kindness to his father, made her the promise already mentioned. Two hours later Mrs. Harton left the brig, which then got under way. The captains daughter, girl of seventeen, was aboard She was 10 accompany her father to Syd. ney, Australia, on visit to some relatives there. Lieutenant Grah am thought he had never before seen so lovely creature. Her name was Selma Morton. or course, Captain MorteR introduced his officers to her.
 Guy Graham was of the same opinion. He was much in her society, and he soon knew that he loved her. Edward Harton. the purser, also admired her. One clear morning, as the brig, under full sail, was passing the Gulf of Guinea, of the coast of Africa Gay stood by Selinas side con- versing with her. She had tke appear ance of being pleased with him. Her brown eyes shone softly, and smiles Ait ted over her glowing dimpled cheeks. It chanced that, on turning round, after she had left him and gone into the cabin, he saw Edward Harton approaching. The nt e.,n tented look.
 He came up to the lieutenant, and sad: You are trying to win her from me. Should you succeed, it would kill me" He spoke mournfslly.
 Guy turned pale. He laid his hand on his cousins arm. "Do you love tha, girl [" he inquired.
 With my whole heart" was the an- swer: "l cannot be happy unless win her"
 He seemed sincere
 Guy clinched his teeth, and d look like that of despair passed over his face.
 He was thinking of his promise to Mrs. Harton and, in his estimation, promise was sacred. He had told his aunt that he would, under any circumstances, sac xlnce his own happiness for her sons. The time for such sacrifice was now come. Guy would keep his word, which to him was more precious even than his lite
 Be happy" he said to the young pur- ser. "l leave the field to you"
 "You give her up, then P"
 No, do not give her up, for she has never been mine," answered Guy "l do not know that she cares at all for me. simply promise not to try to win her, in order that you may do so, if you can Should you fail, then, of course, 1 sh ould no longer keep in the background.
 No danger of ny failing," said the purser, conceitedly.
 From that moment Guy avoided Selina as much as possible. The purser, on the contrary was more in her company than ever. He was lively handsome ysung fellow, although rather frivolous. The young lieutenant could not help, now and then, looking askance at the two when they were together.
 She does not miss me-" he thought "She seems to like hin better. Be it so. must try to forget"
 The strong passion of strong man is hard to smother. Every day Guy real ned more and more how great was the sacrihce he had made. Meanwhile, Se- lima seemed well pleased with Harton's attentions. Only now and then would she dart shy glance out of the corners of her eyes at Lieutenant Graham, as if wondering what made him so grim, so stern, and so reserved of late. At about this time the brig was becalmed.
 The calm lasted SO long that the supply of fresh water aboard would, it was feared, fall short before the vessel reached Syd- ney. The African coast was in sight in the distance. A dingy (small boa,), con- taining Lieutenant Graham and the pur- ser, besides the two men who pulled, was sent ashore.
 Guy and his cousin were to search for fresh water.
 They finally found spring from which the brig might be supplied, and they started on their return to the vessel.
 All at once a gun boomed from the craft.
 The piping of the beatswain's whistle rA at eh