The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-12-10


what Langford said that, iesentful
though he was, hating the man az be
did, he could not be blind to 1t.
you are right" he admitted at last
but with great reluctance. There is
more guilt on my soul than yours, but
no other man under heaven should
have told me So"
Nor should ! have told 1t to any
other man." returned Langford.
But that doesn't explain why you
come here"
WHY" exclaimed the other. 81
don't really know"
In that instant the tension under
which he held himself gave way. He
reeled slightly, put his hand to his
heart. For the first time Charnock
noticed how white he was, how sick
and wretched he looked. Although he
could not bear to touch the man, there
was unconscious appeal in his weak
ness which the stronger man could not
resist. He sprung instantly to his
side. He caught him by the arm.
whats the natter" he asked al
most roughly. you look ill, weak, suf-
fering."
1T is nothing" answered Langford,
struggling manfully to control himself
and to fight back the ever tightening
pain about his heart. my times
about up. If l could sit down some
| where"
Here" cried Charnock.
He half led, half carried the man,
supporting him with his powerful arms
to seat on the terrace across which
the shadow of the house fell in the
morning.
"Thank you" said Langford. Now,
he fumbled in his pocket and pulled
out little phial with shaking fin
gers. "if you will be kind enough tc
open that and give me one of these,
he gasped, II am hardly up to It,"
Quickly, deity, Charnock took the
phial, opened 1t. placed one of the
tablets in the others hand and waitet
anxiously. Above on the porch a ser
want appeared and him Charnock badt
bring water, wine, restoratives. Pres
emily Langford recovered himself, tn,
powerful medicine acted, the tearing
pain at his heart abated. If left hin
fearfully weak and broken but his owl
master
WELL" he said with cynical bitter
ness. you see."
YES answered Charnock gravely
IT see."
81 am going in one of those SOM
day and mighty soon now, and 1t i
because Of that that l came to Sc
you. l wanted to talk to you abou
her"
mo man speaks to me about her.
But you can't refuse the dying, 20
know. You can't go away and leav
me here. You can't stop me by force
When / am weak, l am strong,'" h
quoted almost sardonically.
IT shall not leave you," said Cha
mock. You are paying for what 20
did. My God, could envy you you
going. Do you think life is sweet an
pleasant to me with the memory {
what did rankling?"
mo, suppose not" said Langfor
but l didn't really come so much I
talk about her as to talk about you
81 can't conceive that am a propt
subject for your conversation"
He said it firmly but not unkindl
Langford was too pitiable a spectacl
for that.
IT'S about your project" went @
the other. will you tell me abo,
it,"
Haven't you read the papers?"
Eyes, but l want to hear from you
own lips what you propose to do.
am a business man accustomed [
large affairs. I want to hear with m
own ears all about it."
Charnock hesitated. After all. VIII
not. Standing before the other, b
outlined all his plans. Rapidly, dr.
matically. concisely, he builded befol
the others eyes the castle Of b
dreams.
ut is to be for her, a memorial
her, you see, so that her name sha
be remembered and prayers and bles
ings called down upon her head b
generations yet unborn"
at is a practicable scheme" sal
Langford, land great one. Who hs
it in charger"
Men you know" answered Cha
mock, rapidly naming them.
They can make it go if anybod
can. l congratulate you upon it.
is a great idea. AS usual" he laughe
bitterly, you have got ahead of m
While you have been working and Ii
ing these two years, have been idlin
and dying. But l can make SON
amends at least. You will see pre-
emily. Now must CO."
He rose unsteadily to his feet.
"Wait!" said Charnock. Il nevt
thought to do this. I never thought [
speak to you again. But you can't 6
now You are in no state to trav,
even in an automobile. You mui
come to the house until you recovt
yourself, get rest over night, let N
send for a physician. l don't mea
that there can be friendship betwee
ZIG There is too much in tha M,