The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1910-08-18

The Struggle Rackcd and Tore Him
in His Heart.
again." he went on. go back to the
island"
His voice rose until he almost cried
the five words in Charnock's face. The
Virginian stood absolutely appalled,.
Langford looked at him a moment,
laughed bitterly, turned, and went
slowly down the steps. More than
ever he hated him. In one bound
Charnock was by his side.
you have said too much or too lit
tle," he cried, laying his hand upon
the other. what do you mean? Why
should go back to the island? Is she
there?"
In his agitation, he even shook the
Trailer, slighter, feebler form of the
man who had just uttered those
words.
"Unless," said Langford coolly, "you
want me to die on your threshold, you
would better take off your hand. The
doctors told me that the least physical
violence or exertion would be fatal
to me-"
Releasing him, Charnock spoke
again.
But won't you tell me what you
meant Great God, man, think what
your words convey"
Il will tell you nothing, nothing
further. This is my last will and test
ament to you. Though 1 die here,
have nothing further to say to you
than this: Go back to the island.
Damn you!"
He turned away again and went
down the steps leaving Charnock
standing staring after him. He reeled
slightly as he went, but he caught
himself and marched on with as great
a resolution AS ever any soldier mani
tested in the point of danger. He had
displayed weakness once in the pres
ence of his enemy. He would not do
it again. And while Charnock stared
at him, he stepped out through the
gate from under the trees, entered the
big car and was whirled away.
Left to himself Charnock sat down
upon the bench and pressed his head
in his hands, his thoughts in wild
whirl. Go back to the island! Why
had he said that? Who was there?
Did some fantastic spirit of revenge
send him half way round the world on
some fools errand? Hatred spoke in
the mans voice. He had coupled his
Injunction with a curse which was
sufficient attest to the bitterness of his
feelings. And yet truth spoke there,
too. Go back to the island! What
could it mean?
A long time he sat resolving in his
mind his course, although he knew
what it would be from the very mo-
ment that the words had fallen from
Langford's lips. He must go back, if
for no other reason than to settle the
doubt, to answer the question, to sat
isfy the wild clamor Of his soul, to kill
the hope that flashed into his breast
at th1 others words.
His reVsrie was interrupted by the
arrival Of strange negro. Langford
had stopped at village tavern, it ap-
peared, where he had procured writ
ing materials. He had paid the boy
literally to bring the note to Char
mock. The envelope was sealed. Be-
meath his name was written these
words:
"As you are gentleman and re-
spect the request of dead man, you
will not open the envelope until you
stand upon the island"
Never was thGre such a prohibition.
Never was there such a consuming
desire in the mans heart to defy
it and disregard it. Yet that vague,
intangible thing we call honor, backed
by fiimsy bit of paper and paste,
held Charnock with fetters of STEEL
The envelope decided him. He rose
to his feet, entered the house, sent for
his uncle, told him the story and bade
him get ready to start for San Fran
cisco that night Whitaker and the
chaplain, summoned temporarily from
the great undertaking, joined them ct
Washington, and the E3GSG Sarty wsnt
rushing westward a c DS4ea&e car On
SPECIAL trAAA a. fast As steam and
eA0sl eeutz take them. And yet to
the heart Of the man their progress
was so slow that every hour he be-
came more frantic with impatience.
Back in the little village inn by the
roadway Langford, alone, lay dying.
A strange lawyer wrote a few letters
for him confirming will made in San
Francisco leaving ever dollar he pos
sessed to Charnocks great undertake
Ing on condition that his name be net