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


He hated Langford. and yet his sense
Of justice forced him to admit that he
had played the man at last. while he,
the islander, had treated her out
rageously and in the end had played
the fool. Was there a chance that
she would forgive him?
The man was in many respects still
a child. His heart in those sad and
dreary hours yearned toward her as
the weaned baby turns toward its
mother. And yet there was nothing
weak or childish in his feeling He
recognized his own powers, his own
capacities He knew then that she
had taught him more things than
are learned in books. She had taught
him manhood as she had tried to teach
him honor and dignity. and II he had
failed once. II he had derogated from
her high standard, he remembered
that It was through failure that men
achieved He tried to comfort him
self with these thoughts, but with lit
tie success.
But by and by all these considera-
lions faded away or merged In a great
longing for her. He had never dis
turbed her in the still watches OF the
night. although he had often been
tempted to do so. But now the desire
to see her, to plead with her. to beg
| her forgiveness-not a low desire or
a base one, he thanked God-was so
| great that he could no longer sustain
II. He rose to his feet and looked out
| OF the open port hole. The dawn was
| CRAVING the east Attired as he was
| In the loose shirt and trousers In which
he had lain down, which we're not I'M
like the Sunic that he habitually wore.
save that they were OF soft. luxurious
silk. he opened the door OF the cabin.
stepped out through the silent ward
room-he had the natural savage art
of treadins without a sound-ran light.
| ly up the companion ladder and
stepped upon the deck. The oflcer Of
the watch and his midshipman did not
notice him. Their eyes we're else
where. He ran swiftly across the deck
and stopped at the gangvay. A mar
inc stood there and started forward
a. he approached.
That's my island" said the man.
I'm going to swim on to 1t, and
don't wish to be followed"
It's a long swim. sir" ventured the
marine. scarcely knowing what to do.
He stepped fairly in the gangway
as II to bar the exit
1T 10 nothing to me-" said the man.
stand aside"
Mr. Hopkins" called the marine
turning toward the officer OF the
deck.
AYE, aye" came from Mr.. Hopkins
as he turned and started forward to
the gangway.
The next moment the man had
seized the marine In a grip which left
him helpless. lifted him gently out OF
the gangway. dropped him carelessly
upon the deck and had flashed through
the air into the water.
Ry the time Mr. Hopkins reached
the gangway the half-daZed marine
had risen to his feet.
What is it,"
why, it's the castaway, sir. the
wild man that we brought ashore to
day"
Well"
"He said he wanted 70 swim to tn,
shore and did not want to be fol
lowed"
why didn't you stop him."
Il did try. sir. but he picked me al
As II l had been . baby and threw m'
aside and went overheard"
The oficer was In q quandary. HI
had received no orders to prevent th'
man from going out Of the ship. HI
was not quitesUre what his duty was
At any rate. he turned to the boat
SWANS mate and bade him call AVA
a crew for the cutter swinging astern
He directed the coxswain TO bring tn
boat to the gangway and then sent tn
midshipman Of the watch below to re
port the matter to the captain and asl
his orders.
Capt Ashby. as II happened. wa
awake lie came on deck immediatel!
in his pajamas and received confrma
lion OF the midshipman's extraordinar!
story from the watch Ofncer. II wa