The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-12-01
been upon this island"

Langford turned and faced the man
as these singular queries were put to
him.
who is this man. Katharine" he
asked, an angry flush In his face.
Il don't know for certain" the
woman answered, "but l think his
name is"
What has my name to do with it?"
interrupted the man persistently.
"Will you answer my questions?"
When I know who you are and by
what right you put them, will de-
eide" was Langford's contemptuous
answer.
The woman had never seen her COM
panion In temper, but he was peril
ously near the breaking point now, and
Langford, although he realized it not,
had never been and would never be
in so much danger as at that instant
A swift glance showed her the man
strung to thervery outbreaking point.
The woman laid her hand upon his
arm, calming touch.
I'm the world" she said. people are
presented to one another"
How she loathed Langford. She
thought for a moment that she had
only to say the word and her island
companion would tear him to pieces.
She wondered how far after all she
had succeeded in instilling into his
mind the restraints of civilization. She
began to see dimly that such an
achievement was beyond the power of
any single Individual; that it had been
in the past and would always be in the
future the result of the cooperation
and restraint of the many. Yet she
forced herself to speak evenly to the
visitor.
"Mr. Langford, believe this mans
name to be John Revell Charnock. I
believe him to be an American, a Vir-
gilman. l found him here upon the
island"
This matters nothing" said the is
lander, 81 don't care what this mans
name is. or who he is. want to know
why he distresses you"
Sir" said Langford, wondering what
was the best tone to take with this
singular being, pray let us withdraw
yonder to the shade Of the trees where
we can be more private"
The men in the boat who had scram-
bled out upon the sands had been
eager spectators and auditors of every
thing that had gone on. Their curl
osity was greatly excited and their
propinquity was evidently distasteful
to Langford.
you are refusing to answer my
questions" said the man. Il will not
be put Of further"
Man." said the woman, laying her
hand upon his arm. ut is my wish"
"Oh. II you wish It,"
He turned without . word and led
the way rapidly across the beach out
Of earshot but not out of sight among
the trees.
"Now," he said turning and facing
the other two.
He noticed that the woman was
CHASTITY white and that Langford was
scarcely less pale.
Sir" said Langford firmly, II de-
cline to answer your question. l have
business with this lady and with her
alone. 1t does not concern you and
beg you to withdraw for a moment
and give me free speech with her.
After that I may have some questions
to put to YOU"
Everything that concerns her con.
Germs me-" said the man, sternly.
What you have to say to her must
be said to me. Speak on
For moment Langford looked as If
he would have sprung upon the other,
but he was so clearly no match for
the wild stranger that discretion came
to his aid and kept him still. Besides
he had no wish for vulgar brawling
then. He turned to the woman.
Katherine" he said, Il have much
to say to you. Can't you make this
man hear reason!"
"She has made me hear reason for
three years." answered the man for
her before she could speak, but her
power ends in this hour"
The woman looked at him piteously
and nodded hes head. She realized
that the thread Of destiny was taken
from her hands and forever.
Mr.. Langford, you will have to say
to me whatever you wish before this
man." she said at last.
why, tits impossible" cried the
other.
1T must be-"
And" interposed the man, "yol
shall say nothing to her until you hav,
answered my questions"
There must be no violence" criet
the woman, stepping between the two
mo violence!"
For answer the man gently, blu
with irresistible force, lifted her GU
of the way. She knew now where h
got the strength to tear down tn
rocky wall, and while she tremblet
she thrilled.
Katharine" said Langford-to
him justice he was not afraid-"wha
Is this man to you?"
II am nothing to her." answers
the man, Except that love her"