Year: 1876




mended by her physicians as her only
chance of recovery. They had advised
Australia, but to this she would not
listen; so long voyage seemed to her
like bidding farewell to earth. She re-
solved to try the efficacy of trip to New
York.


The news reached Mr.. Rutherford,
among others, and startled him. Gould
he make use of this opportunity For
some time past certain matter of bust
ness had demanded his presence in
Anne RIGA, but he had been unwilling to
devote the time to the journey. It was
now the commencement of the long va
cation, and so far circumstances were in
his favor. AS he thought Of the long
and close proximity to Lucy Delamere
this voyage would give him, and of what
it might bring about, his heart leaped
with hope and his face flushed as the
blood coursed more rapidly through his
veins; for the Duke Rutherford of by
gone days and the Duke Rutherford of
the present, to whom the highest honors
of his profession were possible of attain
ment, were two wholly different men.


So it came to pass that one day he
found himself on board steamer bound
for New York, and Mrs. and Miss Della
mere were among the passengers.


The second day of the voyage they
were all on deck at sunset, promenad-
ing laughing, chatting, enjoying the
fresh breezes. More than over, as Mr..
Rutherford gazed from distance at
youth had not made false prophecies of
the glory of her womanhood. Her
wealth of dark hair rippled away from
her broad white forehead; her ewes
were deep and fathomless as some wood
land spring into which the sunshine
never looks; her lips red, ripe, perfect;
her whole air and bearing were full of
naughty grace.


She was leaning on the arm of a tall,
proud looking man bat, though she
smiled at his soft nothings, she was gaz-
ing out, over and beyond him and his
rnnge of thought, to the sea stretching
so darkly blue and boundless to meet
the twilight glory.


Duke Rutherford stopped before her
just as she disengaged herself from her
companion.


"It is the same old ocean which we
used to look at from the cliffs, Miss De-
lanere." he said, quietly.


She was leaning over the side of the
vessel, looking down at the water. She
lifted her eyes, shuddered slightly, and
drew up her shawl. Duke assisted
her.


Z" 1t is like going back to my lost
boy hood to see you" he continued. "I


="


She stopped him with naughty ges-
tnre. Her late companion approached.
He was n stranger to Mr.. Rutherford,
aul she introduced them to each other
-" Sir George Trevor, Mr.. Ruther-
ford"


They bowed coldly. They wonld
never be any better acquainted. There
WAS nothing in their natures which
would assimilate.


After this Miss Delamere and Mr.. Ru-
therford never met alone. Whether she
was afraid of her own strength if
brought too much into contact with his
would have to give way to the dictates of
her heart, cannot be known. Certain it
is that she allowed him no opportunity
of pleading his suit.


The voyage was drawing to a close.
They were nearing the end. A great
st rm arose the vessel was driven far
ont OF her track, and drifted down to
the Cape. One dark, direful night, in
spite OF skill and frenzied effort, the
ship struck the rocks of lee shore, and
parted!


A little moment, to realize the dread
horror OF their situation, only was left
for those on board. Miss Delamcro,
pale, but calm, was holding the arp, of
Sir George Trevor her friends, shrek
ing and l. .rriied, stood near. She was
not looking at the threatening destruc-
tion before her, but over her shoulder,
with hungry, wistful something in her
eyes, as if she forgot what she saw not.
The expression died out rs Duke Ruther-
ford appeared for an instant their eyes
met. In that moment he knew he was
beloved with wild fervor even equal to
his own.


Then there was dead plunge, a wild
shrek of agony, and the water swarmed
with struggling human beings The
world had grown dark to Lucy, bat she
felt herself borne up by some power be-
yond her own strength, upward and on
ward through the billows, till her feet
touched the firm shore of the Cape.
Then, into the light and warmth of
isher's cottage, and when they had laid
her down on the rude settle she opened
her eyes, and saw-Duke Rutherford.


You saved me2"


had that honor"


"And my mother2"


"She is saved Also"


The door opened, and Sir George ap-
peared. Whatever Lucy might have
said by way of thanks, was checked by
his entrance, and directly afterward
Duke went out. A few days later a
vessel from the Cape conveyed, among
other passengers, Mrs. and Miss Della
mere and Sir George Trevor back to
England. Mr.. Rutherford proceeded to
New York and accomplished his mis-.
sion.