Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-02-16

OIAcIs .aI-
at must be-"
And" interposed the man, you
shall say nothing to her until you have
answered my questions"
There must be no violence" cried
the woman, stepping between the two,
No violence!"
For answer the man gently, but
with Irresistible force. lifted her out
OF the way. She knew now where he
got the strength to tear down the
rocky wall, and while she trembled.
she thrilled.
Katharine" said Langford-to do
him Justice he was not afraid-"what
Is this man to your"
, I am nothing to her." answered
the man, except that love her"
And your" said Langford, holly.
still addressing the woman.
She loves me" again answered the
other, and we were happy until you
brought the world to our shores.
Since then she has wept. Look at her
now" :
my God" exclaimed Langford, IL
It possible?"
1T is true" said the woman, finding
voice at last and looking steadily
from one to the other.
Langford's emotion now passed all
bounds, He had trembled before: he
shook now as II with the palsy. He
reached out and caught the trunk Of
one of the trees to steady himself.
What are you to this man. In Gods
name?" he cried.
Nothing. Ever since fed from
the ship on that hateful night and
landed on this island, we have been
friends, good friends. He was a cast
away. He had forgotten his speech.
He had lived here since he was a
child. / taught him everything"
To love you?" queried Langford in
hot and bitter jealousy.
That was one thing learned my
SELF" answered the man. And yes.
terday, you might call it chance, but
call It Cod" 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 were when left your"
Il am a different woman. thank
God!"
Different"
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 II"
Think Of your wife,"
She's dead" said the man hoarse-
". Il have searched the world for
yQn. 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 man can do"
/ There was such genuine passion in
his voice and in his appeal that the
most inimical and Indifferent would
have recognized 1t. but there was no
response to it 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 to
love any one but me?"
"By heaven!" cried the man spring
ing forward, this time will be an.
swered. Why is she not free to love
me or any one?"
Because" said the other resolutely,
before she came into your life she
belonged to me-"
belonged to your"
"Yes, to me-"
"And by what tie?"
Langford hesitated. He was furi-
ously wrought up. He saw that 1t was
necessary to make break, rupture
between these two. He thought that
| II he could do SO, his own suit might
the better prosper. He was In deadly
earnest and therefore he took the risk.
How frightful 1t was, he had no pre-
conception. He did not understand
that he was dealing with primitive
man. How should he? He did not
understand what passions slept be-
meath the surface. And perhaps II he
had understood. to do him Justice. for
he was fearless man, he would have
ventured just the same.
"She was my mistress!" he said
through his teeth.
Shame! Shame!" cried the woman.
and then fell silent, clasping her hands
and waiting for what might come. The
hour Of her travail was upon her.
Langford flashed look at her and
then his gaze reverted to the man. The
expected outbreak did not instantly
\ come.
"Mistress!" said the other. II know
not what that means, but It's word
of bitterness. Say further and more
i clearly your intent"
why, you fool!"
4 HE that calleth his brother fool
shall be damned said the man.
Langford stared at him.
Where have you lived" he cried,
that you don't know the meaning Of
words?"
81 have lived nowhere but here and
have known no language but what
this woman has taught me-"
yet she could easily have taught
you the meaning of that word" the
other responded with cruel, ruthless
meaning.
81 will take the lesson from you"
you will have 1t then!"
~ will"
"she was my wife. but without the
blessing Of God or the law of man.
owned her, do you understand? pos
sessed her body and SOUL"
Not SOUL" said the woman. but the
protest was lost.
"You lie!" cried the man. swiftly