The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1910-12-03
The Irresistible

ed the rocks. He had built his cot
. 5e not far from the edge OF the sea,
and always. at night. would he SIT
thus. the dull roar OF the water al.
most benumbine his senses with oe-
light. Sometimes he heard IL with
placid content, but more often, End
particularly on stormy nights, when
the thunder OF the ocean deadened
every other sound, he was filled with
an ''7sistent craving to breast Its dan
gers on board some staunch ship. For
years the sea had been his only home,
and It's call was within him. ~
Tonight It's demand was upon him
greater than ever. Unremittingly
1t came. at times gentle, coax
Ing, and then, as II angered BY
his unresponsiveness, It became de
risive and seemed passionately to
taunt him with his INCONSISTENCY. At
last, In agony. he buried his face IN
his arms and sobbed like child.
His wife came then-a lovely won.
IN. gentle Of face-and knelt beside
him. "John." she said, "you had bet.
ter 60" Her last word was whisper.
He started up. shame and amazement
struggling for mastery over him.
Laura" he gasped. "Tou knew"
ayes. John" she sad softly: 81
have known for year that you wish.
ed to go back to it. but 1t has never
been clear to me what I should do
I know now. You must go, dear.
"And you and-Paul?" he managed
to say. Her eyes closed for r'o-
ment. Then she looked up and sm'i.
ed. He did not notice how tightly
she gripped the arm Of his chair. y
shall be happy knowing where you
are, John. And suppose ! shall see
you. now and then. And Paul SD,
tried hard to keep her voice from fai-
serlng-"is too young to miss YOU
very much"
The man sank back into his chair
mo. no." he half groaned. 1T would
be cowardly. If loved IT. thousand
times more. should not leave you
and the boy"
"Ard do You no longer love U.S.,
!ohn?" The wistfulness OF the o"es'
tion brought rears to his eyes. strus.
Cling as he was with a temptation
which seemed already to have con-
ouered him. "It is best to speak the
truth, Laura. ] do love you both. but
am mad with desire to go back to
the old life. Forgive me. little WON.
an" he broke off. his voice pregnant
with contrition. as he noted the de-
spair in her eyes. Indeed. canuot
help it."
Laura ro-e unsteadily. She seemed
to be very tired. "There Is no other
way, John. 1t is settled. and you are
not to worry about u.s." She moved
toward the door, and paused there,
clutching the knob for support. The
Jasrer Lane sails tonight, John. J
heard Ned Lambert say her crew was
short, and you know your standing OF.
fer with the skipper. You will have
time to see him and get place. !
will attend to ycur packing" He
made no response and she disap.
peared into the Dext room. Not fully
die he realize the turn affairs had
taken, but sat In maze, listening to
Der footsteps as she moved to and
tro, hurriedly packing his trunk. Oi
her own free will she had offered to
'et him 20. Could he, as a man. do
go? The jasper Lane did not touch
that part Of the world more than once
a year. For year he would not see
her, the woman In whose eyes he had
once seen heaven. Eow she loved
hil! Never, he remembered, had aer
devotion to him lessened. even Cor a
moment. And now he would leave
hsr-with the boy! The thought ol
the latter made him vince the more
But she had said that Paul was toe
young to miss him. And they |ould
be wei! provided for. Besides, he
could write to Laura once a day. a7c
then perhaps
Again she stood by his side. every
thing Is ready, John" she announced
quietly "You have hut very little
time now. have wakenet Paul that
you might say good-by to him. Come =
She laid her hand on. his arm. Trem'
bling. he arose and followed her
Paul was sitting up in his crib. dig
ciug his little fists in his eyes to keep
awake. "You goin' away on boat. faz
ser?" he asked. sleepily. Paul wants
to be man and go away on boat
too"
you see, dear" Laura whispered
He does not understand" The man
stopped and placed the tiny arms
around his neck. "Good-by, little
son." he said, huskily. Take care
OF muzzer, won't you?" The boy
nodded cheerfully. his eyes brighten
Ing at the thought of the responsible.
ity placed upon him. "Oh, yes. faz.
ger. will"
Laura smiled bravely at her son
and laid her hand on his bright hair.
In another moment her husband held
her Ia his arms. "Good-by. my own
eir!ie-and forgive me-
"Good-by. John" He turned hastily
from her, and picking up his trunk. a
sInal! affair which he swung with
easy grace upon his broad shoulder.
he left the room.
At the outside threshold he stnod
for q moment and looked back. Laura
was kpeeling beside Paul's crib. the
boys arms tight about her neck. his
red lips pressed to her cheek.
Slowly the man opened the door