The Raymer enterprise., 1910-09-01

that woman, but at least in those final
hours ! did my best for her. Did your"
Charnock hesitated. No one had
ever spoken to him Ike that He had
said these things to himself many
times. but no one else had ever as.
sumed or presumed to do 90, and had
anyone but this man ventured upon
such words. he would have met with
short shrift indeed. But there was SO
much justice and 30 much truth in
what Langford said that resentful
though he was, hating the man ~ he
did. he could not be blind to 1t.
You are right" hs'admitted At last
but with great reluctance. "There is
more guilt on my soul than yours. but
no other man under heaven should
have told me So"
Nor should have told It to any
other man, returned Langford.
But that doesn't explain why you
come here"
"Why!" exclaimed the other. II
don't really know"
In that instant the tension under
which he held himself gave way. He
reeled slightly. put his hand to his
heart. For the first time Charnock
noticed how white he was. how sick
and wretched he looked. Although he
could not bear to touch the man, there
was unconscious appeal in his weak.
ness which the stronger man could not
resist He sprung instantly to his
side. He caught him by the arm.
What's the matter?" he asked al
most roughly. "You look Ill, weak, suf.
fering."
1T is nothing" answered Langford.
struggling manfully to control himself
and to fight back the ever tightening
pain about his heart. my times
about up. II l could sit down some.
where"
Here" cried Charnock.
He half led, half carried the man,
supporting him with his powerful arms,
to seat on the terrace across which
the shadow of the house fell In the
morning.
Thank you." said Langford. "Now."
he fumbled In his pocket and pulled
out little phial with shaking fin.
gers, III you will be kind enough to
open that and give me one Of these"
he gasped, Il am hardly up to It."
Quickly. deftly, Charnock took the
phial, opened 1t, placed one Of the
tablets in the others hand and waited
anxiously. Above on the porch ser.
want appeared and him Charnock bade
bring water. wine, restoratives. Pres
emily Langford recovered himself. the
powerful medicine acted, the tearing
pain at his heart abated. II left him
fearfully weak and broken but his own
master.
WELL" he said with cynical bitter.
ness, you see."
"Yes." answered Charnock gravely,
I see."
II am going In one Of those some
day and mighty soon now, and It is
because Of that that l came to see
you. wanted to talk to you about
her."
mo man speaks to me about her."
But you can't refuse the dying, you
know. You can't go away and leave
me here. You can't stop me by force.
When I am weak, am strong" he
quoted almost sardonically.
"I shall not leave you." said Char.
mock. "You are paying for what you
did. My God. I could envy you your
going. Do you think life is sweet and
pleasant to me with the memory Of
what did ranklingi"
"No, I suppose not" said Langford,
but l didn't really come so much to
talk about her as to talk about you"
II can't conceive that am a proper
subject for your conversation"
He said 1t firmly but not unkindly.
Langford was too pitiable spectacle
for that. NJ
TITS about your project" went on
the other. "Will you tell me about
it,"
Haven't you read the spapers?".
Eyes, but I want to hear from your
own lips what you propose to do. /
am a business man accustomed to
large affairs. want to hear with my
own ears all about It."
Charnock hesitated. After all, why
not. Standing before the other. he
outlined all his plans Rapidly. dra.
matically. concissly. he builded before
the others eyes the castle OF his
dreaps.
1T Is to be for her, memorial to
her. you see, 20 that her name shall
be remembered and prayers and bless.
ings called down upon her head by
generations yet unborn"
1T Is practicable scheme" said
Langford, "and great one. Who has
It in charger"
men you know" answered Char.
mock, rapidly naming them.
"They can make II go II anybody
can: / congratulate you upon 1t. It
is ! great idea. AS usual" be laughed
bitterly, you have got ahead Of me.
While you have been working and liy.
Ing these two years, have been idling