The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-02-24
TRUE TO HIS VOW.

The wind came signing in from the
breast of ocean, stretching away under
the northern sky,
The steady wash of the surge as it
came slowly in could not rouse the man
who lay upon his face under the shelter
ing 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 a young man and sailor-he
showed that in every line of his face and
motion of his form-young and strong,
with sunburned features and blue eyes,
. man framed by nature to make the
world better because he had done his
part In 1t.
But there was 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 n
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 depth Of love
il was hard for her to understand.
Richard Dean" she cried. why are
you lying here aloner
Richard, she said again, what is itl
Why do you look at me soT
"a don't know what to say to you,
Milly," he answered slowly. because |
don't like to give You pain, but some
times 1t seems to me that 1t would have
been better, far better, III had gone
down with the schooner last autumn, In.
stead of living to endure this great an
guish."
II don't know what you mean, dear
Richard. You and were always friends,
and you know that would bear almost
anything sooner than give pain to those
! love. What does it all meanT
I'm tell you, Milly, and try TO tell it
IN such q way that you win understand
that, IL | suffer, i have no hatred for
those who love me, although they have
broken my heart. An hour ago was on
the point, sitting under the trees, and
heard-I couldn't help it, Milly-I heard
what Harry Watson said to you"
A flush stole mp into the white cheek
of the girl as she turned away her head.
Il heard Harry tell you that he loved
you. and heard you say that you loved
him. and then stole away. not to hear
more.
Il love you as man never loved woman
IN all time. Ilove you 80 well that for a
moment 1t seemed to me that hated
Harry Watson. because he robbed me of
tny jewel
'But knew him to be good and true,
n kind son. tender brother, and he will
make you happier perhaps than poor
l,ick Dean ever could"
Oh, Dick, she said softly. II never
dreamed that you
She stopped suddenly.
/ have been to blame, and while you
loved me as q sister loves brother /,
tool that / was thought the feeling
,ieeper.
There. there; l am a man, Milly; I'll
night it down in time: give me awhile to
draw breath and understand my loss.
When are you to be married.
After this trip" she said softly.
When the Hesperus comes back"
And am first mate of the Hesperus
and Harry second And we've been
trends 80 long that-but it isn't possible
that could ever hate Harry Watson or
'io him any wrong. but ] wish he were
N another schooner"
Dick" cried Milly suddenly, you
are going out with the man love in the
same ship.
There will come an hour Of dark
temptation to you. dreadful hour,
when you win have to choose between
good and evil
When that time comes and the
ieinpter whispers in your ears, promise
ine. in the name Of the love you bear me,
you win think Of me-"
He drew his breath hard.
IN Try. Molly" he said quickly
There's my hand on the bargain
And take this" she said, forcing 9
ring into his hand. Take 1t, wear II or
your finger night and day. and when yor
see It, remember that ycn are pledged IL
.io right by Harry Watson"
He took the ring and looked at 1t in /
strange. daxed way. and then thrust 4
forcibly upon his finger
'Pl do 1t, he cried Heaven hell
me to keep this VOW
So the Hesperus sailed in an hour, ans
as they swept out between the pier
pick Dean saw Millicent Durand stand
ing there. with her finger on her lips b
token of remembrance.
She was 70 engrossed with him tha
for moment IL seemed to the secon,
mate looking on jealously that she ha,
no eyes for him.
Harry Watson was noble youn
man, but be had one vice, jealousy, an
the last glance he gave Milly as the Hes
:,erus swept on was one OF anger.
ia like to ask you something, Die