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


spite OF ueF Ntfhukt khTO- ne OtChnt
suddenly acutely conscious OF trivial
details and accurately responsible to
matters Of no moment He stepped.
for instance, near 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 and 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
II when II came-toward the two who
stood silently watching a little dis
lance away
He was dressed In a boating suit
Of white and wore n white yachting
cap He was distinctly good looking.
His repentance, his anxiety. his dissp-
pointmsnt had refined his face 10 a
certain degree and he was not An un-
worthy specimen Of humanity In ap-
pesranoe. The man looked At him
with vivid curiosity and sudden
sense Of dismsy TO md the new conner
40 worthy Of respect on the ground OF
appearances az least
The glance that Langford gave the
man was n once casual and indiner-
ent. His whole interest was oentered
upon the woman He found himself
trembling violently IN spite OF the
superhuman efforts be put forth At
control. n vas only the most iron
copstraint indeed that enabled him 10
approach her az all Az he drew near
TO her. he took on bis cap. bowed 10
her and strove 20 speak.
"Katharine.T he said At last hoarse-
ly, thank God that have found youl"
Woman" said the man by her side.
stepping swiftly forward and confront
ing Langford. who IL this mann
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 abe 10 allied with horror az
you approach; that she looks AZ you
as she does nowi have never seen
that look upon her face since we have
been upon this island"
LAngford turned and faced the man
40 thess singular queries we're put TO
him
Who 10 this man. Kathariner' be
Ashed. an angry flush In his face.
7 don't know for certain" the
woman answered. hat ! think his
name L."
what has my name TO do With mr.
interrupted the man pcrsistenuy.
will you answer my ouestonsy"
when I know who you are and BY
What right you put them. viii de-
eide" vas Lansford's oontemptuous
The woman had never seen her com
psnion In temper. but he was peril
ously near the breaking point now. and
LAngford. although he realized Il not,
had never been and would never be
in 80 much danger a. at that instant
A swift glance showed her the 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 10 one another"
How she loathed Langford. She
thought for a moment that she had
only to say the word and her island
companion wo.,t tear k!l 10 pieces.
She wo.cered 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 II 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 10 speak evenly 10 the
visitor ~
MI Langford. believe this mans
name 20 be John Revell Charnock. |
believe him TO be an American. a vir-
ginlsn. found him here upon the
island"
This matters nothing" said the is
lander, Il 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 curt
osity was greatly excited and their
propinquity was evidently distasteful
TO Langford.
you are refusing to answer my
questions" said the man. II will not
be put on further"
Man" said the woman. laying her
hand upon his arm. ~ Is my wish"
"Oh. II you wish H."
lie turned without q word and led