Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-02-23

II think So" returned Langford.
NO" said the man of the island,
addressing the lieutenant commander
for the first time, you and these men
are the world. I want the story told
where all the world may hear"
Whittakers 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, a silent, eager listener
to all that TRANSFERRED? 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.
Il 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 1t OF nervously. but the point
being settled, there was no further ap-
peal.
Pray proceed with your story, Mr..
Langford," he continued.
mo, let me take up the tale" cried
the woman. believing that l was
right. believing that the education
and training which had made me
what was were sound, believing that
this man was as free as l to choose
his course and order his life, knowing
nothing of his wife, yielded to his
pleadings. l thought 1t was noble
and splendid opportunity vouchsafed
me and, In a measure, vouchsated him
to show the world that we did really
believe what we said. Had believed
In God then / 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. l was glad to con-
secrate my life to the truth, with his
aid to 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. 1t was
a mistake, frightful mistake, an ir-
reparable mistake. for which sup
pose that must suffer to the end of
| time"
NO" cried Langford. 81 am here
to repair the blunder."
There is no power on EARTH" said
the woman, passionately, that can
put me where i was; that can give me
back that have lost"
Kate, Kate!" cried Langford, you
don't understand"
Il understand too we'll. Why con-
hnue the sorry story? Mr.. Whitaker,
and you that are men beyond, that
have wives and children and sweet
hearts, that have been taught to love
God, to believe in him, and to observe
his laws, that have submitted your
selves gladly to the conventions Of So
ciety-or If any be among you who
have outraged these and gone against
them, taken the law into your own
hands-you will understand sooner or
| later what came to me. I discovered
that there was nothing high or holy
In this mans regard for me; that he
persuaded himself that he believed as
simply to get possession of me. I
awoke to dreaded realization, alone
with him on that yacht. He was not
kind to me. He acted according to
his lights
Il will confess It," said Langford.
Il was brute to her. Il drank; ac-
knowledged that had wife; said
she was in my power: called her
vile Names"
There was low growl, a muttered
roar from the men behind Whitaker.
Even Langford's own men, in his own
pay, shrank back from him. The man
was frightfully pale. yet he went on
resolutely. Whitaker shilling the tu-i
multi with appraised hand.
mo one,'' he cried. can think more
hatefully of human being than /
think of myself now. have not
learned her philosophy. i have learned
another and better. In some sort
of way at least l know that can
never be happy until have made her
happy. know that I love her now
as should have loved her then;
that have hunted these seas for her
without ceasing since she left me in
a drunken stupor one night"
Left you how?" asked the lieuten-
ant commander.
Il am not quite clear. I must have
descended very low" said Langford.
~ remember some sort of scene at
supper, and when awoke in the
morning, or didn't wake for six
months, they found me In the morn
ing with fractured skull on the cab
in floor. and they took me back to the
United States. 1t was a year or more
before could begin the search for
her."
"He said things to me that night"
said the woman, that no woman could
endure or forgive. He came toward
me. threw him from me with such
force and violence-I am strong wo-
man-that he lay senseless in the
cabin. The motor launch had been
got overheard for trial and was
trailing astern. / got in 1t, drifted
away, started the motor and ran 1t
until the gasoline was gone. brought
food and water from the cabin table,
lived week in the boat, bearing
SOulnWafQ al the Time by means OF
sail which i improvised from boat
cloak One night there was
storm. At the height of 1t l was
thrown upon this island. The"
Il hoped said Langford. taking up
the tale, that that might be the case,
and with that end In view l have
searched the Pacific. have landed
upon many uncharted islands. l have
explored others little, If ever, visited.
praying to God. that she might be
alive, that j might find her and make
reparation, and now have found her
at last when had given up all hope.
abandoned all expectation. And l
stand here confessing my fault before
men. ready to do anything and every
thing that a man can do to make
amends for the past"
But you have a7wife." said Whitta-
ker, colby. ss
NO, she's dead these two years.