The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-06-20
CHAPTER XIV.
A Promise Broken.

A Promise Broken.
1t was that same late spring morn
ing when John Charnock sat on the
porch overlooking the pale waters OF
Hampton Roads past Newport News
and Old Point Comfort and the blue
waters of the Chesapeake and the blueI
ocean beyond, The motor car was
end of the long avenue of trees which
led to the river road II could have
been driven in, but as he approached
the house more nearly with his mind
still in a state of indecision, In order
further to collect his thoughts and be-
cause he was tired from tho long ride
and because he would not trespass on
Charnock more than was absolutely ne
cessary. Langford decided TO walk.
Now the sight of motor car was
not unusual, and Charnock glanced at
il indifferentlv enough until II stopped
at the gate That was out Of the COM
mon, for most of those who came to
visit him in such fashion turned in the
drive and stopped before the long flight
of steps that led down from the porch
10 the terrace and from the terrace
10 the lower level of the lawn. He
did not recognize the tall, slender fig
ure which came slowly up the path by
the side OF the drive under the great
nearer, he arose and with true Virginia
hospitality, n hospitality he had easily
learned since it was in his blood, he des.
cended the steps to the terrace and
would have descended farther TO the
roadway but that he suddenly recog-
nized the visitor. He stopped dead still,
surprised, amazed, Langford started,
hesitated, threw back his head and
came resolutely on. He mounted the
,axlE hn It1
Charnock turned, drew back little
to make way for him and the two men
faced each other upon the terrace.
f'Great God!' cried the Virginian,
at last. ''you of all men. What are
you doing here7'
His brow was dark, Lis hands
clenched.
"Why not I7' answered Langford
coolly, bitter smile on his lips.
70 s.You say that to me after all that
you. have donc7"
.'Man," said the other, "didn't ]
do everything under heaven that man
could do to undo it. She forgave me;
can't youGN
"No.' answered Charnock, moving
toward him.
"Stop,'' cried Langford. 'Is your
own record so clear'' Have you moth,
ing with which to reproach yourself9
1 ruined her life; yes, I grant it. but
YOU drove her to suicide. Why have
/ not the right TO fault YOU even as
YOU seem to claim the right to fault
met We have both sinned against that
woman, but at least in those final hours
] did my best for her-did you9'
Charnock hesitated No one had ever
spoken to him like that. he had said
these things TO himself many times
but no one else had ever assumed or
presumed TO do so, and had anyone but
this man ventured upon such words, he
would have met with short shrlft In
deed. But there was so much Justice
and so much truth in what Langford
said that, resentful though he was, hat
ing the man as he did, he could not be
blind TO it.
"You are right, - he admitted al
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, -
:sNor should T have told it to any
other man. returned Langford,
''But that doesn t explain why You
come here, -
.'Why.' exclaimed the other "I
don't really know. -
In that instant the tension under
which he held himself gave way. He
reeled slightly. put his hand 70 his
heart. For the first time Charnock no
ticed how white ne was. how sick and
wretched he looked. Although he could
not bear 10 touch the man, there was
unconscious appeal in his weakness
which the stronger man could not re-
sist. He sprang instantly TO his side.
He caught him by the arm.
"'What S the mattcr?' he asked al
most roughly. ''You look i'll, weak
suffering
"It is nothing answered Langford.
struggling manfully 10 control himself
and to fight back the ever-tightening
pain about his heart. MY time S
where
"Here.N cried Charnock
He half led, half carried tho man,
supporting him with his powerful arms
TO seat on the terrace across which
the shadow of the house fell in the
morning.
"Tbsnk YOU said Langford,
CHOW he fumbled in his pocket and
pulled out a little phial with shaking
fingers, ''if you will he kind enough
20 open that and give mo one of these
he gasped, 81 am hardly no to it,
Quickly. deftly. Charnock took the
phia, opened il. placed one Of the
tablets in the Others hand and waited
suxiously. Above on the porch a SER
want appeared and him Charnock bade
bring water, wine. restoratives. Pres
emily Langford recovered himself. the
powerful medicine acted, the tearing
pain al his heart abated IT left him
fearfully weak and broken, but his own
master.
Well he said with cynical bitter.
uess 'vou see -
eyes answered Charnock gravely
''T see.
81 am going in one Of those some
day and mighty soon now. and it is be
cause of that that | came TO see YOU
wanted 10 talk to YOU about her. -
No man speaks 10 me about her.
''But YOU can I refuse the dying. you
know. You can t stop me by force
When / am weak, I am strong. ~ he
quoted almost sardonically,
~ shall not leave YOU. said Char
mock. ''You are paving for what yor
did. NV God, | could envy YOU you,
going. Do you think life is sweet and
49, ~ -