The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-12-07

about to wish to see. My mind is
made up. l shall stay on the island,
at least for the present"
But, my dear young lady," began
the officer.
Capt. Ashby," said the woman,
you are the commander Of that ship"
II am"
ITO you is committed the ordering
of her course?"
ITO me alone. Miss Brenton."
: you decide all questions connected
with her on your own responsibility
81 do, certainly; but"
"Sir. this is my ship, this island. If
I choose to stay here, cannot think
you will endeavor to take me hence
by force"
by no means"
Nor have I any more fondness for
having my decisions discussed than
you would have for hearing your
| orders argued or questioned"
ut is my island" cried the man,
roughly. land If you stay, stay"
1--WE lose time" said the woman,
shortly. 81 am here to give my testi-
mony; you are prepared to take it,"
II am" said the lieutenant-com-
mander, stepping forward, notebook in
| hand.
Captain, will you conduct the neces.
sary inquiry"
| Certainly" said the captain. "Mr.
Langford, do you identify this lady?"
Il do, SIR" answered Langford. "She
is Miss Katherine Brenton of San
! Francisco"
You say this Of your own personal
knowledge?"
Yes, sir"
You will make AFFIDAVIT to that
fact?"
With pleasure"
II wondered" said the woman, hit
terry, why you came back"
1T was at my wish, madam" re.
turned Capt Ashby. formally.
He was not greatly prepossessed
with the imperative manner and de-
meanor of this young woman, but he
did not see exactly how he could re-
sent it, or force any improvement in
1t. "Will you proceed now with your
story" he continued. Twill you speak
slowly so that Mr.. Whitaker, who
does not write shorthand, can take 1t
| down."
| Thereupon the woman told that por-
ton OF her tale which related to the
| evidence which she exhibited, the
! piece of the boat with the name of the
ship upon 1t, the dog collar, the silver
box, the Bible, the two rings. These
were marked, set down and sworn to.
| The affidavit to which she subscribed
her name, and to which she took oath
on the very Bible of the island, was
brief, though comprehensive, and the
little ceremony was soon over. Mr..
Whitaker assumed charge of all the
exhibits. The tale having been COM
pleted and all the little formalities got
through with, the little party stood
around in awkward silence wondering
what was next to come.
Miss Brenton.' said the captain at
last, breaking the pause, ut seems a
shame. For Gods sake. reconsider
your decision and come OF to the
ship"
NO." returned the woman, quietly;
my mind is made up"
"Katharine!" exclaimed Langford,
extending his hand in one final ap-
peal.
Not with you, either" said the
woman.
MY dear young lady" began the
old chaplain, think what it is you do.
Has any human being with such pow
ers as you possess a right to bury her
self in this lonely island? Is there no
CALI"
Sir" the woman interposed, your
plea might move me if anything could
but indeed it's useless as the rest
Hear mine, them" said the man
abruptly, even harshly.
The woman turned and faced him
as unrelepting and as determined as
she had faced the others. What could
he say? There was but one plea that
could move her. Was he about to
make that?
I'VE have loved each other" he
went on, brokenly. TT was my dear
est wish, my most settled determine
ton, to make you my wife. That wish
still entertain, that determination
has not departed from me. You have
refused to marry that man"
And would you have me do so?'
asked the woman.
mo, a thousand times, no. l an
sorrier every moment that look a
him that did not kill him. But hav
ing refused him, there is nothing nov
that you can do but marry me. Ant
as you have refused him, 1t makes /
the more incumbent upon me to MARI,
you and to take you away. Your homo
demands it."
MY honor!" famed out the woman
Indignantly
Il have said it," returned the man
doggedly.
Gentlemen, you will forgive on
frankness," said the woman, turning
to the little group who waited, all ez
N cept Langford. who had walked ava
out of earshot and who resolutely ken