The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-09-28
Two Lives and a Love,
Say au rev0lr
But not goOd-by,
The past is dead,
Love cannot die"

moniously with the still night. The
sound came from one of the boat houses
near the life saving station on the
shoe in the village Of Harborvil.e.
A passer by paused and listened.
cit is his voice." said Ernest Ben.
ton. Often it rings out on the night
and often l have listened and silently
cursed the singer. What is there about
him that he should be more favored
in the mind, yes, and the heart Of the
only girl l ever really loved2 Is it has
voice9 BAIL My own is more refined
and it has had the benefi5 of instruc
ton. Why, Why's 1t makes my blood
boil to think that a common sailor
| should take her from -. Well, this
is his last night on this coast for a long
six months to come, and If 1 do not
play my cards we'll while he is away
my name is not Benton"
The speaker passed on and the voice
died out, but another, g girls, echoed
the song.
In her mothers cottage on the cliff
at HarborvIlle lived Mildred May with
an old servan for her only c1mpRnioD.
The waves dashed up against the rocks
below, moaning as if they had secrets
of the deep, ard were vainly calling
for tongues, but they fell again with a
dull splash. Ga this night into the
wee sma' hours two figures sat to.
gether on the little porch overlooking
the sea. Finally they rose and walked
close to the edge Of the cliff and stood
looking over into the dark waters. The
full red moon was reflected in the sea
below. She stepped nearer to him and
her hand touched his.
1T is just a year ago to night since
you came" she said, in a low voice.
How well 1 remember it. It was my
first day in a new world, and now" "a
tear glistening in her eye) you are
going leave to leave me. And this for
the sea, the treacherous sea"
But this is my last voyage. When
l return 1 will seek employment on
land. I am capable and willing and
will readily secure it in some form Oh
other"
He told her his plans. To return
and work for her, and some day to
live apart from the rest of the world
en- q little farm Of their OWN. Alb, as
he talked how bright the future
seemed.
"And you will come with met You
will be my wife Mildred2"
Yes"
"And-and," (his voice trembled
and shook) eff l should be lost Cd the
deep, dark sea-and never come back !
again, would you-wOuld you still be
true to me-would you ever marryF"
mo -neverI' she answered. Her
fac paled and grew white even in the |
moonlight.
He took her in his arms and kissed
her passionately.
at day break she was on the shore to !
wave him a last farewell as the snip |
Goodwill sailed out of the harbor.
She was not the only person who
came to the Shore to see Philip War
rem safely out of HarborvIlle. Earnest
Benton was on hand and as the vessel |
was disappearing from sight he ap-
preached and spoke to her.
'Good-mcrning, Mildred" he said, in
a CHEEKY voice. up with the larkI
Unusual, Is it not9" And he laughed. !
"Ohl good morning, Mr.. Benton"
They walked together toward home.
At the door she turned and held out
her hand to him. As he took it he
looked into her eyes, and she could
not mistake his meaning.
Six months had passed. The follow
ing day the Goodwill was expected to
sail into the harbo. 1t was just such a
night as that other when the lovers
said farewell. This night as on that
one, two figures were together on the
porch.
Speak to me, Mildred" said Ear
nest for it was he), in a pleading
voice My life depends on your an
swer. Do not drive me to despair.
VIII you give me up for a common
sailor who is in every way your infe
rior9 He ls not a match for you" In
a low voice he added: You do not
even love him
"Stopl YOU must curb that tongue
Of yours. Whether 1 love him or
not, I shall nevertheless keep my