The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1905-1910, 1910-09-16


the other two.
He noticed that the woman was
CHASTITY white and that Langiord was
scarcely less pale.
Sir" said Langford firmly, II de
cline TO answer your question. have
business with this lady and with her
alone. II 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 10 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 a moment Langford looked as II
he would have sprung upon the other,
hut 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 Drawing
then. He turned TO the woman.
Katherine" he said, Il have much
to say to you. Can't you make this
man hear reason7"
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 st him piteously
and nodded her head She rsaiiaed
that the thread Of destiny was taken
from her hands and forever.
Mr.. Lsnsford. you viii have 70 say
TO me whatever you wish before this
man." abe said at last
Why, tbs impossible" cried the
other.
1T must be-"
And" interposed the man, -you
shall say nothing 10 her until you have
answered my questions"
There must be no violence" cried
he woman. stepping between the two.
No violencei"
For answer the man gently, but
with irresistible force, lifted her out
OF the way. She knew now where he
got the strength 10 tear down the
rocky wall. and while she trembled,
she thrilled.
Katharine" said Langford--to do
him jastice he was not sfrsid-"what
10 this man 10 your"
y am nothing to her" answered
the man, except that love her"
And your" said Lsngford, hotly,
still addressing the woman.
She loves me-" again answered the
other. and we were happy until you
brought the world 10 our shores.
Since then she has vept. Looh at her
now" ~ - -
MY God" exclaimed Lsngford. -is
II possibley"
1T 10 true" said the woman, nndins
voice At last and looking steadily
from one 70 the other
Langfords emotion now passed an
bounds. He had tremblcd before; he
shook nov a. n with the paisy. He
reached out and caught the trunk Of
one OF the trees 70 steady himself.
What are you 70 this man. In Gods
manner he cried. "A
Nothing Ever since ned from
the ship on that hateful night and
landed on this island. We have been
friends. good friends. He was cast
away. He had forgotten his speech
He had lived here since he was a
child. ! taught him everything"
ITO love youf" queried Langford IN
hot and bitter Jealousy
That was one thing learned my.
self" answered the man. And yes.
terday. you might call II chance. but
! call II God" said the man gravely.
discovered TO us the love We bore
each other and that is all"
Are you-forgive the question"
said Langford, addressing the woman,
and there was agony in his voice, "as
you we're when left your"
Il am a different woman, thank
Godl" fiE-TT-'.yr-
"Diferent!" -
Yes. but IN the sense in which you
mean the question. am just as was.
save that love this man"
But you had no right to love him
or any one" burst forth Langford bit.
terly.
And do you reprOach me with
that?"
DO ~
Think OF your wife"
She's dead" said the man hoarse-
ly. Il have searched the world for
you. have come back here to make
amends, TO own my fault to marry
you before God and man. to take you
back, to do for you as long as ! shall
live all that a man can do"
There was such genuine passion IN
his voice and in his appeal that the
most inimical and Indifferent would
have recognized II, but there was no
response to IL In the woman's heart.
A greater love than his had come into
her soul The whole current OF her
being flowed to the man by her side.
NO" she said Your words have
no appeal for me. They awaken no
response in my heart love this man,
not you"
Have you thought" cried Langford
meaningly, that you are not free 20
love any one but me?"