The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-02-17
TRUE TO HIS VOW.

4ue WHiu Cdmc signing III from tine
breast of ocean. stretching away under
the northern sky.
The steady wash Of the surge as it
came slowly in could not rouse the mai
who lay upon his face under the shelter
ing rocks.
He was not asleep. for at times his
frame trambled. 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 a sailor-he
showed that in every line of his face and
motion Of his forrn-young and strong.
with sunburned features ard blue eyes,
man framed by, nature to make the
world better because he had done his
art in it.
But there WA a great agony. now in
that brave Young face 81 from time to
time he lifted it.
There came a light step along the
gravel. and he started up quickly as -
gira walked down the beach-a fail
young girl. with the sunny hair and
glorious eyes which since the days OF
Eye 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 ,Hffection-a depth Of love
it was hard for her to understand.
Richard Dean" she cried. why are
you lying here alonel"
Richard" she said again. what is itl
Why do you look at me sO::"
81 don't know what to say to Won.
Niilly." he answered slowly. because ]
don't like to give you. pain, but some
times it seems to me that-it would have
been better, far better, if | had gone
down with the schooner last autumn, III
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 l would bear almost
anything soone thar, give pain to those
love. What does it all mean"
I'm tell you. Milly, and try to tell it
in such IL way that you will understand
that. if | suffer. 1 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 couldn't help it, Milly--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.
81 heard Harry tell you that he loved
you, and l heard you say that you loved
him. and then I stole away. not to hear.
more.
81 love you as MAN never loved woman
in all time. Hove you SO well that for a
moment it seemed to me that hated
Harry Watson. because he robbed me Of
my jewel.
"But / knew him to be good and true,
q Kind son. a tender brother, and he will
make you happier perhaps than poor
Dick Dean ever could"
"Oh, Dick" she said softly. Il never
dreamed that you
She stopped suddenly.
Il have been to blame, and while you
loved me as a sister loves a brother l,
fool that ] was. thought the feeling
deeper.
.'There. there; 1 am a man, Milly: I'll
fight 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
friends so long that-butit isn't possible
that | could ever hate Harry Watson or
do him any wrong. but wish he We're
in another schooner"
Dick, cried Milly suddenly, Y
are going out with the man ! love in the
same ship.
There will ceine 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, promise
you will think of me-"
He drew his breath hard.
I'm try. Molly" he said quickly.
There's my hand on the bargain
And take this" she said, forcing a
ring into his hand. Take it. wear it on
your finger night and day. and when you
see it. remember that You are pledged to
do right by Harry Watson
He took the ring and looked at it in a
strange. dazed way. and Their thrust it
forcibiy upon his finger.
"I1l do it," he cried. Heaven help,
me to keep this vow
So the Hesperus sailed in an hour, and
as they swept out between the piers
Dick Dean saw Millicent Durand stand
ing there, with her finger on her lips in
token of remembrance.
She was SO engrossed with him that
for a moment it seemed to the second
mate looking on jealousy that she had
no eyes for him.
Harry Watson was q noble yoaae
man, but he had one vice, jealousy, ANA
the last glance he gave Milly as the Hes
perus swept IN was one of anger.
ia like to ask o something. Dies