The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-06-18
TRUE TO THE DEATH.
BY RUFUS HALE.

"Well, Captain Rayton, hope you are
making progress in your courtship of the
beautiful young lady introduced you TO
some months ago"
Thus addressed by friend who had
called on him, Rayton, dark, handsome
young man, with dark whiskers and rud-
dy cheeks, stroked his beard complacent-
ly as he replied:
hope so. Although Miss Weldon has
several other suitors, Of course, | shall
cut them out
Fave you proposed ?"
Not yet will do SO tomorrow. A
month hence, expect an invitation to our
wedding. BY the way, would you be-
lieve it?-that sober fellow, Allan Camp
bell, who formerly was first officer
aboard my steamer, is one of Miss We'll
don's admirers"
Z He is? Why, always thol ght him
too backward TO make up to any girl.
Then, again, llis voice is like hurricane,
and would, believe, frighten any wo-
man out Of her wits. You certainly have
/ nothing to fear from him ?'
The two friends laughed heartily. The
idea of plain Allai Campbell thinking to
win the favor of a light-hearted, be-uti-
ful girl like Miss Weldon, seemed to af-
/ ford them infinite amusement.
Next day the captain called on the
young lady and proposed" when, to
his surprise, the blushing gi-l gently but
decidedly refused h.s offer, informing
him, when importuned, that she was
pledged TO another
Chagrined and mortified, he took
leave of her to meet Milan Campbell, in
the next street, going in the direction of
the house he, Rayton, had just then
quilted.
Allan was a sturdy young fellow, with
irregular but firm features. He was seri-
Gus and reserved in manner, and what
little he said was sensible and to the
point, delivered in a deep voice, which,
however, was neither rough nor loud
He was steady, truthful and energetic
had worked his way up froin before the
mast TO the position of captain, owning
his own vessel-a bark in the West India
trade.
The moment Rayton saw him he could
not, in spite of his late rejection, help
laughing.
al know whittier you are bound, Al
LAM" he said, but you'll have TO change
your course. The pretty craft has been
captured.
"what craft p inquired Allan, with.
out the faintest sign of smile.
al mean Miss Lucy Weldon. No hope
there for even ME now. She told me
herself that she was promised to an
other"
"l know she is. Yesterday | proposed
to her, and she accepted me-"
"How? What? When was that p
cried the astonished captain.
AT exactly ten minutes past three
o'clock"
Rayton started. for he remembered il
was lust at that time, on the day before
that he and his friend were laughing over
the idea of Allan's thinking to win the
young lady's regard.
"Come, you are joking" said the cha
grined suitor.
81 never joke" was the reply.
"WeIl well, continued the other, draw
ing a long breath, thought you were
the last man she would accept"
q leave you to your thoughts an
swered Allan, moving on.
"She will tire of such fellow in SIX
months" muttered Rayton, exultingly.
3" There will be divorce"
In his rage and jealousy he wished al
manner of harm to his rival.
A month after his meeting with the
latter the wedding took place, and though
invited to attend it, he excused him
self
Three years passed. Captain Raytor
had not yet forgotten his disappointment
and often brooded over it, and.now, a
he stood on the deck of the steamship h'
commanded, on her way TO Havana, thu
memory of his rejection and the prefer
ence given to Allan was bitterly forced
upon his mind by the sight of a bark t.
leeward. This bark he recognized through
his glass as the one owned and comman
ded by his successful rival. He knew he
well bv the red bands about her fore ant
lnainmastneads.
"And she-hislwife--is with him." b
muttered, gloomily, AS have heard
she always accompanies him on his voy
ages."
Drifting mist and rack soon after gath
cred. The wind blew almost gale, an
. the steamer labored in the heavy seas
she rushed on her way.
"Sail-ho right ahead |" suddenl
roared the man on the lookout.
There she was-Allan Campbell's bar
: looming up through the rack not twer
! ty fathoms ahead.
Hard-a-port p shouted Rsyton, an
at the same time he gave the signal fc
Stacking speed.
The steamer was rushing straight tC
i ward the bark, and unless somethin