And Schuyler Cluett kept his treacherous oath against the man who had saved his life, for the very eve of her wedding-day with Kent Lomax, Ruby Raymond stole out of her pleasant room, unlocked the front door, and glided across the lawn to the foot of the hill, where in a buggy, with a pair of spirited horses, sat a young man awaiting her.
"Come, hasten, Ruby," he said in a low tone.
"Oh, Schuyler, I have given up all for you, my parents, my happy home, and poor Kent.
"It will break his heart; but then it would have broken my heart to become his wife loving you as I do."
And away sped the fleet horses, while the night wore on, the dawn came, Christmas morn, and Mrs. Raymond hastened to her daughter's room, to wish her only child a happy Christmas, a happy wedding day.
A shriek that broke from her lips, followed by a heavy fall, brought the miller to the room.
His wife lay unconscious on the floor, an open letter in her hand.
He read it, and his heart grew cold at the words:
"Forgive me, mother, father, forgive me; but I could not marry Kent, as I do not love him, my heart being another's.
"Finding out the secret of my heart, I would not perjure myself by marrying Kent Lomax, and so I fly to-night with the one whose wife I am to be.
"Some day, when you feel more kindly toward me, I will come back and plead for your forgiveness.
"Now good-bye, and Heaven bless you and poor Kent, whom my heart bleeds for in the sorrow I know he will feel.
"Your ever loving daughter,