The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1905-1910, 1910-09-23

!
ed. lie had heard Mr. whittakers
words as one in dream. He had been
going over that dreadful scene on the
sands. His heart was lacerated and
torn again He was blind to every.
thing but the past He saw her face
dinly In the present He could see
nothing Of happiness In the future.
Il don't know" he answered.
But surely this has not made any
difference In your feelings ?"
I can't tell. The difference 10 In
her. not In me-
"she made q frightfui mistake, said
the captain impressiyely. but she has
nobly stoned. and"
shes not what thought she was"
said the man. and II love her. love
her now not because. but In spite. OF
what abe IL. and there 10 difference Z"
Miss Brenton." interposed whitta-
her at this iuncture. has settled the
matter herself She says that she will
have no mans pity. no mans con
tempt that no man shall marry her
on suffrance. and that"
Right" said the surgeon, Who was
q man OF very few words and general
ly good ones.
MY young friend" broke in the
chaplain. If I might advise"
But this" returned the islander,
with nerceness. lie not q matter for
advice. don't know the world or its
customs. ] must appear strange TO
you men. But take IL that q mans
choice OF Q wife. a mans settlement
OF HIS future 10 not . thing that be
brooks counsel over. AT any rste.
want none OF a."
Come with me-" said the chaplaih;
we will talk Il over. I have lived
In the world" be went on. gently.
Perhaps can help you. Have We
your permission TO withdraw. Capt
Ashbyr' qf.. '-- .Ir H-
"certaipiy." said the captain.
Pardon me . moment. Chaplain
interposed Whitaker; but the young
lady has asked that some Of M 70
ashore to take her deposition 80 to
the matters that have been alleged
concerning our friend here. Capt
Ashby. will you'"
Certainly. Mr.. Whitaker. I win TO
And II you will accompany me. doctor,
and you. chaplain. ! shall be glad. Mr.
Whitaker. you are q notary public
and can administer the necessary
oaths"
Very good. sir" returned Mr.. Whit.
taker. The other gentlemen bowed
their acquiescence. The lady said
she would like to be undisturbed until
evening"
AT two bells in the second dog
watch then have the cutter called
away" returned the captain.
Beg pardon. captain" said the sur
geon. but do you or any OF you know
this lady to be Miss BrentoE?"
NO" said the captain. Il don't
know her. Do you, Mr.. Whitaker. or
you. chaplain"
Well. then" said the surgeon. as
both the officers shook their heads. 1T
will be necessary TO have some one
ashore who does know her in order to
swear to her identity TO make her
deposition worth anything"
There Is Langford." said Whitta,
ker. he knows her"
Very good" said the captain; send
boat over TO the yacht and present
my compliments to Mr. Langford Ask
him II he will meet us ashore at quar-.
ter after Ave o'clock. Say 20 him also
that should be glad 10 have him dine
with me tonight at seven. Chaplin,
will you and Mr.. Charnock take lunch
con with me later3"
Now. to go back to the island. The
woman stood on the strand proudly.
resolutely. sternly erect. without
sign OF unbending until the boats
reached the sides OF the two ships.
Even then she kept herself In the
bonds OF a control Of steel She turned
slowly. walked up the beach. entered
the grove Of palms, mechanically found
the path and plodded along II, still
erect and unbending. until the wind
ings Of the trail and the thickening OF
the grove hid her from any chance
watchers on the ship Itta' 1
Then came the moment OF yielding.
As II the tension had been suddenly
released, she reeled. staggered her
heart almost stopped. Her instinct
was to throw herself prone upon the
grass, but she recovered herself IN
time and. with the natural inclination
OF the troubled toward the place. how
ever rude and humble II may be. that
Is called home. she summoned her
strength and dragged herself on
through the trees over the Hill
whence a backward glance would have
given her sight OF the ships. but she
never took it--down the other slope
across the beach and 10 the cave
which had been her haven for these
three years.
Then. and not until then. did she
give way completely. She threw her
self down upon the sand In the cool
shadow OF the great rocks In what 20
her had suddenly become a weary
land. and outstretched her arms a. II
10 elasD the earth 10 her breaai I'm A.