, 1910-01-27

experience to draw upon"
You are my mentor" said the man
gently. You have taught me all I
know, but sometimes / think that
about some things / know more than
you, and this is one thing of which I
am sure"
YES" said the woman, you can
be sure SO long as conditions remain
as they are at present, but other
times. other manners"
You have something to tell me?"
interposed the other. swiftly.
The woman nodded.
You said yesterday you would tell
me to-day. Why not tell me now?"
Because"
She hesitated.
Are you afraid to tell me?"
YES" she said.
Afraid of what?"
"Of losing you"
Danish that fear"
But tits not that that keeps me
silent"
What then?"
II would have the worlds comment
on what / say when I say It."
1.-The worlds COMMENT What is
the worlds comment to me?"
"A test. a trial Of your feelings! II
1t breaks my heart, you must know"
IF you feel that way about it," said
the man resolutely, you iced tell me
nothing at ALL"
1t was a brave thing to say. for her
mysterious words filled him with du-
biety n G,smay. He had no idea
what 1t was that she could tell him.
He had no experience by and through
which to embody her vague hints into
something real and tangible. He knew
that he was terribly grieved, and but
that he a no way to describe the
pain of jealousy, he would lave said
hat he was racking with that unhappy
emotion.
Tell me nothing" he repeated
again, "if it grieves you"
Are you afraid of the test?" she
a d.. swiftly.
Il am afraid OF nothing, except los
ing you"
Il Am not worthy of you,' returned
the woman, "as / told you, but If you
will still have me IL you will take me
when ] have said what l must say.
and when the world has said what it
will say. her l shall be yours as long
as l live"
ut is WE'LL" said the man. 81 wait
the ship now eagerly that I may show
you that what l have said is true"
THE vessel is nearer now" she
said at last, rising from where they
had been seated together upon the
grass absorbed in each other. and
pointing seward.
YES" he answered, e" can even
see the figures upon the deck"
"Your brother men,"
"Will there be some IN on the
ship?"
81 do not know" she answered,
quickly. ut isn't likely. Do you wish
to see other women?"
None" was the instant answer. 81
wondered if my brothers would bring
o sisters. That was all"
There was absolutely no dissimula-
tion about the man. There had been
no coquetry about her. He would
simply have failed entirely to under.
stand what it was. He was as honest,
as straightforward, as absolute sim.
plicity and sincerity must eve be,
and she had met him exactly on his
own ground. 1t was impossible. there
fore. for her to mis~apprehend his
mere casual interest.
She stood quietly studying the ap-
preaching vessel. AS she did SO, 1t
came to her mind that there was some.
thing strangely familiar about the on.
coming ship. She stared longer. and
the conviction grew upon her. When
she realized 1t she clasped her hand
to her heart with a sudden gasp and
turned a white face upon him. He
was all solicitude in an instant.
What is the natter" he cried
Your face is white; you look SC
strangely"
st is a sudden pain" she gasped
terror and dismay constructing her
throat.
She wavered. He thought she was
going to fall. He stepped closer tc
her and put his arm about her.
mo, no." she said. repulsing.
1t was the first command she hat
given him in those bygone days wher
he had stood dumbly before ner.
mo. MOI" she pushed him away. az
shall be all right"
And has the approach Of men de
prived me Of the privilege of touch
ing your" he asked. wistfully. What
Is the matter?"
Don't ask me now" she answered
"I-I-cannot explain"
The vessel was nearer now and a
she stared 1t came to q stop ant
swung b%roadside to the reef. Their
was no m%istaking It. 1t was the South
ern Cross. She knew 1t as well a. sh,
! kueW. her own face. The thing vhio]