Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-04-20
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Langford was too pitiable spectacle
for that.
Its about your project" went on
the other. will you tell me about
it?"
Haven't you read the papers?"
Eyes, but / want to hear from your
own lips what you propose to do. 1
am business man accustomed to
large affairs. want to hear with my
own ears all about it,
Charnock hesitated. After all, why
not. Standing before the other, he
outlined all his plans. Rapidly, dra-
matically, concisely, he builded before
the others eyes the castle of his
dreams.
''It ID to be for her, memorial to.
her, you see, so that her name shall,
be remembered and prayers and bless
ings called down upon her head by
generations yet unborn
"It is practicable scheme" said
I4angford, land great one. Who has
It in charged" {.
Men you know" answered Char
mock. rapidly naming them.
"They can make It go II anybody
can. congratulate you upon it. 1t
ID q great idea. AS usual" he laughed
bitterly. you have got ahead Of me-
While you have been working and liv-
ing these two years, have been idling
and dying. But can make some
amends at least. You will see pres
entity. Now must go" al ~
He rose unsteadily to his feet. 4
''Wait!" said Charnock 81 never
thought to do this. j never thought to
speak to you again. But you can't 90
now. You are In no state to travel
even In an automobile. You must
come to the house until you recover
4 yourself. get rest over might, let me
send for physician. don't mean
that there can be friendship between
US. There is too much in the past
that keeps us apart. have never be-
fore been glad that I didn't break you
4 when I held you In my arms upon the
could do to undo II. She forgaye me-.
4 you, ] can do 1t. Maybe BY that I can
earn some forgiveness myself. We
were both fools and you were knavs,
but You were man at last. wasn't.
Stay here. i won't disturb you"
by heaven!" said Langford, flush.
ing. you are man now. No, 1 won't
stay. but I thank you for your otfer,
and I will pay you for It,"
Charnock put up his hand
Il want no pay"
Nevertheless. you shall have IT,
insisted the other. Il will give you .
word Of advice. although to do 1t
damns me"
He paused, laid his hand upon his
heart again, clenched the clothing
about his breast as II he would fain
tear It on. He was white once more.
the sudden flush had gone, but his lips
were set determinedly.
Listen well to what I tell you" he
said slowly. IT break my word to do
It. I am false to my oath in what /
say. Nevertheless say it. Go back
to the island! I" z 40 N *
What?" cried Charnock.
\ Don't you hear me?" asked the
man, intense bitterness In his voice.
Now that he had made the plunge, he
realized more keenly than ever what
1t meant to him even In the very ar
ticles of death to think of Charnock
and the woman. do / have to say 1t
again?" he went on. go back to the
island" e
His voice rose until he almost cried
the five words in Charnock's face. The
Virginian stood absolutely appalled,.
Langford looked at him a moment,
laughed bitterly. turned, and went
slowly down the steps, More than
ever he hated him. In one bound
Charnock was by his side.
You have said too much or too lit
tie" he cried, laying his hand upon
the other. What do you meant Why
should I go back to the island? Is she
there?"
In his agitation. he even shook the
Trailer, slighter, feebler form OF the
man who had Just uttered those
words.
Unless" said Langford coolly, s'you
want me to die on your threshold, you
would better take of your hand. The
doctors told me that the least physical
violence or exertion would be fatal
to me-"
Releasing him. charnoock spoke
again.
But won't you tell me what you
mean? Great God. man. think what
your words convey?"
Il will tell you nothing, nothing
further. This is my last will and test
ament to you. Though die here,
have nothing further to say to you
than this: Go back to the island.
Damn you!"
He turned away again and went
down the steps leaving Charnock
standing staring after him. He reeled
slightly as he went, but he caught
himself and marched on with as great
resolution rs ever any soldier mani
tested in the point of danger. He had
displayed weakness once in the pres
ence Of his enemy. He would not do
1t again. And while Charnock stared
at him. he stepped out through the
gate from under the trees, entered the
big car and was whirled away.
Left to himself Charnock sat down
upon the bench and pressed his head
in his hands, his thoughts in a wild
whirl. Go back to the island! Why
had he said that? Who was there?
Did some fantastic spirit of revenge
send him half way round the world on
some FOOLS errand? Hatred spoke in