Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-06-28

ana certainly. Win tne IrlSate rapluly
drawing near. the safer. They were
almost abreast Of the first one now.
Bentley. who had been observing him
keenly. came up to him.
1--WE are almost abreast the first pass.
Mr.. Seymour" he said respectfully.
Seymour turned as II he had been
struck. Was the decision already upon
him? He could not make 1t.
We've viii try the second. Bent
ley"
"Sir," said the old man. hesitating
and yet persisting. 1.-The frigate is conf
ing down FAST we may not be able to
make the second pass"
I'VE will try the second. neverthe-
less" said the young man imperatively.
"But. Mr.. john
"Silence, sir! When have you ban
died words with me before?' shouted
Seymour in passion Of temper. Go
forward where you belong"
The old man looked Mt him steadily.
"When, sir? Why, ever since took
you from your dead fathers arms near
a score of years ago. Oh. sir, know
what you feel. but you know what you
must do It's not for me to tell you
your duty" said the old man. laying
heavy emphasis upon that talismanic
word duty" which seems to appeal
more powerfully to seamen than to any
other class of men. Love is u mighty
thing. sir. know 1t; yes. even l." he
went on with rude eloquence, lever
since took you when you were little
lad and swOre to watch over you and
care for you and make a man Of you
aye, and I've done it, tOO-and the love
of woman. they say, is stronger than
the love of man. though Of that l know
nothing; but honor and duty are above
love, sir, and upon your honor and your
doing your duty our country depends.
Yes. love Of woman, Mr.. Seymour, but
before that love Of country. and now"
said the old man mournfully, "after
twenty years of-of friendship, If I
may say it, you order me forward like
q dog. But that's neither here nor
there II you only save the ship. Oh.
Mr.. John. in five minutes more you
must decide. See"-pointing to the
frigate-"how she rises! Think Of 1t.
Think Of 1t once more before you
leopard the safety Of this ship for any
woman. Honor, sir, and duty-it's laid
upon you; you must do it-they come
before everything"
Seymour looked at the old man ten
derly and then sl"s. T.: L;ni by the
hand. "You are right, old friend. For
give my rough words. will do 1t. 1t
kills me, but I will do 1.-THE country
first of all. o God. pity me and help
mer he cried.
amen" said Bentley, his face work
ing with grief, yet iron in It's deter
minatiOn and resolution.
Seymour turned on his heel and
sprang aft, bringing his hand the while
I'D to his heart. AS he did so his
fingers instinctively went to the pocket
of his waistcOat and sought the letter
he carried there. He took II OH half
mechanically and glanced at the Ia
miliar writing once more. when sud
den gust of wind snatched it out OF
his hand and blew it to the feet OF Tai
bot.
"My letter.. cried Seymour impul-
sively
The soldier courteously stopped and
picked it up and glanced down ut the
open scrap mechanically as he ex-
tended his hand toward Seymour; then
the next moment he cried:
why, it's from Katharine"
One unconscious inspection sufficed
to put him in possession OF the con-
tents. "Where did you get this note,
sir?" he exclaimed, his face flushing
with jealousy and sudden suspicion.
1T is mine. am the one she loves.
How came it in your possession!" ne
continued, in rising heat.
Seymour, already unstrung by the
fearful strain he had gone through and
the frightful decision he would have
to make later on-nay, had made after
Bentley's words-was in no mood to be
catechised.
81 am not in the habit Of answering
such personal questions, sir. And
recognize no right in you to so ques-
ton me"
Fright, sir! l find letter In your
possession with words Of love in 1t
from my betrothed, note plainly
meant for me and which has been
withheld. How comes it so?"
"And l repent, sir, have nothing to
say except to demand the return OF my
letter instantly. 1t is mine, and will
have It,"
"Do you know, Mr.. Seymour, that we
have been pledged to each other since
childhood, that we have been lovers;
she is to be my wife? love her and
she loves me. Explain this letter then"
"It is false, Mr.. Talbot. She has
pledged herself to me-yes, sir, to me.