The Mena weekly star., 1910-08-04

Indeed, I am anxious that the world should hear it. Miss Brenton and |, we-er-did not believe in marriage, and we went away--together."
 Every word was agony to Langford. who was proud man; it was worse than agony to Katharine Brenton, who was a proud woman; and 1t was worst agony of all to the man of the is- land. But Langford persisted. He did not care how he hurt himself Indeed. he rather luxuriated in the conscious ness of his own pain. It was part of his expiation. He realized that he would have to hurt Katharine, but per haps the very keenness of her pain would make her realize her position. and he wanted to win her, now that he had found her and seen her, more than ever. Nor was his passion a base one. Again he was ashamed of what he had already said. so he spoke the more frankly. He gave no thought at all to the other man, but if he had. he would have been glad to hurt him until he killed him.
 'We went on my yacht wonder three years ago I-in short-I behaved like brute on it. I will admit"
 T discovered that he was a mar ried man." said the woman swiftly at this juncture. She. too, would be frank. This grave and middle-aged of ficer should hear all He had pro fessed his belief in those views, which. if you have read Fate and Destiny. . you realize that I entertained"
 The officer bowed.
 And have you abandoned them nowe" he asked.
 Absolutely" was the firm answer. T am Christian woman, thank Godi i'-
 Thank God, say I, too," continued. Langford. Yet I was not altogether sham or lie. It was true that I was married man"
 The lieutenant commander flashed a. eontemptuous look at him at which Langford winced. but he went on. He was determined to make an absolute ly clean breast of the whole affair.
 Tt is true was a married man. but I was under the spell of Miss Brenton's eloquence aud of her beauty"
 T can well understand that said the officer, gravely. as a matter of course.
 T thought that marriage meant noth- ing, and that the old tie might be dis regarded. hated the woman who bore my name. and so as Miss Bren- tons disciple, as her devotee, for I loved her l will admit" she smiled drearily, more than her philosophy, I proposed that we should trample upon the conventions She had taught me to believe she despised. and go away to- gether."
 But you were not free" said the woman. "to enter upon such an under taking"
 No. by heaven!" cried Whitaker.
 Now, this conversation had been carried on with three auditors, or groups of auditors, besides those par ticipating; Langford's yachtsmen. the marines and seamen from the Chey- enne. for the boat was against the shore, and the man of the island Whitaker first awoke to the situa- ton.
 ''I beg your pardon" he said, but would 1t not be better to continue this conversation privately"
 T think so." returned Langford.
 No" said the man of the island. hA nt n |. Anx. for the first time. you and these men are the world. I want the story told where all the world may hear"
 Whittaker's surprise at this remark was scarcely less than he had expe- rienced when the woman addressed him. Who was this splendid. godlIke form of man standing glooming by the woman's side. silent. eager listener to all that transpired? What had he to do with the question that he as- sumed this tone and manner of au- thority? The officer turned toward the woman.
 "I think" said he quietly, that the lady should be allowed to decide"
 My wish is my friends wish," said the woman laying her hand softly upon the mans arm.
 Whitaker observed that the man shook it off nervously. but the point being settled, there was no further ap- peal
 Pray proceed with your story, MT. s.angford," he continued.
 No, let me take up the tale" cried the woman. Believing that I was right, believing that the education and training which had made me what was were sound, believing that this man was as free as I to choose his course and order his life, knowing nothing of his wife, yielded to his 2leadings I thought 1t was noble and splendid opportunity vouchsafed me and, in a measure, vouchsafed him to show the world that we did really believe what we said Had 1 believed In God then l should have said his meeting with me, his conversion to my theories. his passion for me. his willingness to abide by my decision were Providental I was glad to con secrate my life to the truth. with his aid 10 take the final step in attesta- ton of my belief. to convince the world that one woman at least had the courage of her convictions It was mistake. a frightful mistake, an ir- -aparable mistake, for which I sup . th.t s,o,cf cuffer to the ond of