, 1910-01-27
CHAPTER XIV.


Now that the great moment had
come-for Langford had at last recog-
nized the woman whom he sought in
spite of her strange garb-he became
suddenly a~cutely conscious of trivial
details and accurately responsible to
matters of no moment. He stepped,
for instance, nea> the bow of the boat,
told the coXswain that he might allow
the men to land but that they must re-
main close to the beach within
easy call and see that the boat was
properly secured. Then he turned and
walked slowly-singular how eager he
had been for that moment and how
tardy he was in availing himself of
1t when 1t came-toward the two who
stood silently watching a little dis
tance away
He was dressed in a boating suit
of white and wore a white yachting
cap. He was distinctly good looking.
His repentance, his anxiety, his disap-
pointment had refined his face to a
certain degree and he was not an un-
worthy specimen of humanity in ap-
pearance. The man looked at him
with vivid curiosity and a sudden
sense of dismay to find the new conner
so worthy of respect on the ground of
appearance al least.
The glance that Langford gave the
ian was at once casual and indiffer-
ent. His whole interest was centered
upon the woman. He found himself
trembling violently in spite of the
superhuman efforts he put forth at
control. 1t was only the most iron
constraint indeed that enabled him to
approach her at all. AS he drew near
to her, he took off his cap. bowed to
her and strove to speak.
katharine" he said at last hoarse-
~, thank God that | have found you!"
woman" said the man by her side,
stepping swiftly forward and confront
ing L%angford. who is this MANI"
His name" returned the woman
steadily, "is Valentine Arthur Lang
ford"
What did you do to her." asked the
man with the bluntest possible direct
ness, that she weeps at the thought of
you; that she is filled with horror as
you approach; that she looks at you
as she does now? I have never seer
that look upon her face since we have
been upon this island"
Langford turned and faced the man
as these singular queries were put %
him.
"Who is this man, Katharine?" he
asked, an angry flush in his face.
81 don't know for certain" the
woman answered, but / think his
name is"
What has my name to do with 1T"
interrupted the mar Professionally.
"Will o 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 a never seen her COM
panion In a temper, but he was peril
ously near the breaking point now. and
Langford. although he realized 1t not,
had never been and would never be
In SO much danger as at that instant.
A swift glance showed her he man
strung to the very outbreaking point.
The woman laid her hand upon his
arm, a calming touch.
IN the world" she said, %"people are
presented to m another"
How h loathed Langfoa. She
thought for a moment that she had
only to say the word and her island
companion would tea him to pieces.
She wondered how far after all she
had succeeded in Installing into his
mind the restraints of civilization. She
began to see dimly that such an
achievement was beyond the of
n single individual; hat it had beer
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.. L%angford, I believe this mans
name TO be John Revsll Charpock. I