Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-05-01
True To His Vow.

der the northern sky.
The steady wash of the surge as il
came slowly in could not rouse the
man who lay upon his face under the
sheltering rocks.
He was not asleep, for at times his
frame trembled, and now and again
he half started up and looked across
the sea, and then dropped his head
again.
He was young man and sailor
ne showed that in every line of his
face and motion of his forn-young
and strong, with sunburned features
and blue eyes, man framed by ma
ture to make the world better because
he had done his part in it.
But there was a great agony now
in that brave young face as from time
to time he lifted it.
There came light step along the
gravel, and he started up quickly as
a girl walked down the beach-a fair
young girl, with the sunny hair and
glorious eyes which since the days Of
Eve had made slaves and thralls Of
the children of men.
And truly there was something in
the manner of Millicent Durand which
had given her rare power over the
stronger nature of man, and this
young sailor, lying there upon the
sand, loved her with an unutterable
affection-a depth of love it was hard
for her to understand.
Orchard Dean" she cried, "why
are you lying here alone?"
e'Richard,' she said again, 'Ewhat is
it? Why do you look at me so?''
II don't know what to say to you,
Milly," he answered slowly; because
I don't like to give you pain, but
sometimes it seemed to me that it
would have been better, far better, if
I had gone down with the schooner
last autumn, instead of living to en-
dure this great anguish
az don't know what you mean, dear
Richard. You and I were always
friends, and you know that bear al
most anything sooner than give pain
TO those l love. What does it all
E1ean?"
''I'n tell you, Milly, and try to tell
1t in such a way that you will under
stand that, if [ suffer, have no hatred
for those who love me, although they
have broken my heart. An hour ago
trees, and I heard couldn't help it,
NTilly-I heard what Harry Watson
said to you"
A flush stole up into the white
cheek of the girl as she turned away
her head.
''I heard Harry tell you that he
loved you, and 1 heard you say you
loved him, and then l stole away, not
TO hear more"
II love you as man never loved wo
man in all time. [ love you so we'll
shat for a moment it seemed to me
shat hated Harry Watson, because
he robbed me of my jewel"
'EBut knew him to be good and
true, kind son, a tender brother, and
he will make you happier perhaps
than poor Dick Dean ever could.'
''Oh, Dick" she said softly. 'cI
never dreamed that you''-
She stopped suddenly.
Il have been to blame, and while
You loved me as sister loves a
brother 1, fool that was, thought the
feeling deeper.
There, there; l am man, Milly;
Til fight it down in time; give me
while to draw breath and understand
my loss, When are you to be mar
ried?'
CATER this trip she said softly.
'eWhen the Hesperus comes back.'
<And 1 am first mate of the Hes
perus and Harry second. And we've
been friends so long that-but it isn't
possible that I could ever hate Harry
Watson or do him any wrong, but I
wish he were in another schooner"
EEDick," cried Milly suddenly, 'you
are going out with the man I love in
the same ship.
EEThere will come an hour of dark
temptation to you, a dreadful hour
when you will have to choose between
good and evil.
"When that time comes and the
tempter whispers in your ears, prom
Use me in the name of the love you
bear me, you will think of me-"
He drew his breath hard.
FI'n try, Milly," he said quickly.
t"There's my hand on the BARGAIN
NAnd take this,'' she said forcing
ring into his hand. ''Take it, wear it
or your finger night and day and when
you see it, remember you. are to do
right by Harry Watson.''