The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-12-02

or at that moment . new factor en-
tered upon the scene, a factor whose
presence was as surprising and unex-
pected as 1t was determinative. From
out to sea, yet near at hand, came a
nuffied defamation, the roar of
heavy gun. Around one Of the head
ands that rose on that side of the is
and there swept the white sides of
mother great ship beside which the
yacht, imposing though she was, was
4 toy. It was the woman who saw 1t
first.
Look" she cried. "A ship Of war.
l cruiser. See, from her staff the flag
If the United States. This land is
American. l claim 1t by right Of dis
covery. Lay but hand upon this
man. and l will have you hanged for
murder, Langford. They see us there.
Their glasses have searched the shore.
They have seen this encounter. That
gun was warning. A boat puts of.
Thank God, we are saved from you!"
Things had transpired even as she
said. What the cruiser was doing in
those seas, how happened she to be
there were things as yet unknown,
but that she was there was apparent.
She had approached the island from
the other side, and had sailed around
1t. Her men had observed the encoun-
ter on the shore, which seemed to
be between natives and persons from
the yacht, which was in plain view a
little farther out to sea, and the gun
had been fired to call attention to the
power Of the United States.
This put an entirely new face on
the whole affair Matters were taken
out of the hands of the parties to the
quarrel. The law had come to the is
land. The islander did not, could not
know 1t, but his banned antagonist
realized 1t Immediately. So did the
woman. At Langfords command. his
men, much bewildered at the scene
they had witnessed, went back to
their boat. He himself presently fol-
lowed after, and stood upon the
strand awaiting the approach of the
heavy man-of-war cutter which had
been put away from the white cruis-
er's side.
Man." she said. softly, this is
what had to tell you"
He nodded. A hollow groan burst
from his lips.
His Mistress" no muttered. bro
kenly.
II would not have had you learn
in this way. and now that you have
heard so much. you must hear more. +"
she went on, not sparing herself,
though she might have Justly resent
ed the word. She was dealing with
more serious things than words now.
bitter though they might be. That
ship, which is the ship Of our country.
stands for law as his for license.
was more sinned against than sim
ming. When you have heard all, then
you shall Judge. This is the test"
Would God that 1t had never been
laid upon me-" said the man, hoarse-
ly. Would God that the beacon had
not been lighted on the hill"
Nay" returned the woman, gently
that's past praying for. Decision
rests with you, but you must not pass
it until you have heard the whole
story. The world holds me stained
polluted, it may be said, but
am not the sinner that 1t thinks me OF
he portrays."
You said 1t was true" doggedly
cried the man.
Yes, but not all true"
And l had him in my hands, and
still he lives"
Wont you hear me?" pleaded the
woman.
The man shook her off and turned
away. The very innocence which hat
prevented his understanding at frs
the charge made 1t the more hideoui
when comprehension came. He hat
loved this woman with a love tha'
passed the love of man, for there hat
not entered into his mind the faintes
possibility that she could ever be OF
ever have been other than what she
seemed, a daughter Of the gods IL
truth, In sweetness and in purity. AND
this strange man had come from GU
the world and proclaimed her his mis-
tress, his cast-off, abandoned mistress
Once the clew was given he fount
more hideous depths of infamy In tina
word than would have appeared hat
his been a wiser and more expert
enced vision. Indeed, so clear ant
pure was the soul of this woman tina
man of the world would have know
instantly that there was an explana
ton, which the child of nature coul,
not see forthcoming. He wanted t.
be away from her and alone, and h.
turned as If to plunge into the depth
of the forest. but with gentle force sh
; restrained him.
You are a man. with mans pow
er and mans soul and mans hear
you cannot fly now. You must sta
. and face the problem. The questio
: must be pursued to the bitter end. M
life and your life depends upon wha
we do now, perhaps his life, too"
20, God" cried the man. recurrin
:, again to that bitter thought, Il ha
, him in my hands and spared him!"
, But you spared him for my sake
catd tho uopoop. "think of that "