The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1905-1910, 1910-08-30

knelt beside her
HAS the sight Of me ship made you
weep3" he said. softly. = wish that
I had never come 70 tell you II was
therei"
we have been 90 happy together.
you and l." said the woman. This
island has been my world. my haven,
my heaven. rather. and you have been
humanity 20 me, but now the earth
opens before you. You viii have 9th.
or hopes, other ambitions. perhaps"
Don't say t." protested the man,
vehemently. Il shall have nothing.
nothing but you anywhere, every.
where. and. besides. nothing is
changed. See, the smoke grows faint
er; the ship more dim. She passes
beyond. Things shall be as they
werei We shall live on, and love
oni"
Her desolation, her sorrow appealed
20 him profoundly lie took her In
his arms. He laid her head gently
upon his shoulder. There was protec-
ton and tenderness as well as pas
sion In his touch.
Together" he whispered, patting
her hair softly. alone, you and II"
For one. delicious moment with
closed eyes she let herself be so
soothed and comforted. But her bet
ter nature woke on the instant, as II
/ were.
No" she said, drawing away from
him gently. 1T would not be right.
We belong in the world OF men. Men
and women are not men and women
until they have lived among their fell
lows. until they have fought down the
temptations of which we know moth
ing here. and have conquered them
out there. Give me the flint and steel.
must call back the ship!"
He stopped az she spoke and picked
/ up the little silver box. lie extended
his hand toward her, and then sud
denly drew II back
you cannot light the beacon" he
said
Cannot" she cried.
mo, for will not give you the flint
and steel"
You must give II TO me"
II will not. ! am the stronger, and
you cannot take II from me" he re-
turned. with growing firmness.
II was the first time in all their In
tercourse that he had disobeyed a
command. She looked at him amazed.
her heart, nevertheless throbbing at
the mastery in his tone, at the thought
that he was willing to throw away the
world for her. IL is true he had had
no experience OF that he was giving
up. but he was not entirely ignorant OF
what lay beyond the horizon, and
she had presented Il in such a
way that II glowed with color and life
and charm. The evil. the sordid and
the wretched had been lightly al
luded 10, Just definitely enough to
shade the picture and bTing out the
higher lights OF civilization. His was
not the decision therefore. of an un-
tutored. inexperienced savage, not the
abandonment OF toy by a child;
there was some reality in IL and the
reality measured his affection. Her
heart leaped In her breast at that
thought For one heeting moment she
acquiesced. Things would go on In
the old way. But things could not go
on in the old way. For a day and a
night, in spite OF the great change
that had come TO their feelings, life
had flowed on as usual. but there was
limit TO human power. II was bet
ter. whatever betide. that they should
10 back TO civilization. The woman
stared at him long and earnestly. her
lip trembling. her face pale. her eyes
shining They stood speechless at
gaze for a moment. and then she
spoke.
you are right" she said, my pow.
er over you has gone. can no longer
command Mine has ceased to be the
! supreme will, but | beg you. ] entrat
you. pray you. give me the flint and
steel. See, on my knees ! ask you!"
She sank down before him In an at
titude which he knew TO be that Of
prayer. They had often read the
sacred Scriptures and had said their
prayers together on the sand or be-
meath the trees since she. too. in the
solitude had seen God and believed.
Il cannot, l will not" he answered.
hoarsely. stepping nearer TO her.
NO" she said. you must not touch
me. you shall not touch me. ] shall be
to you as a stranger, unless you take
me by force. n you will not let me
light that beacon"
NO" said the man. doggedly.
when the world touches our shores II
hrings YOU unhAppiness. Let II pass. ="
I Listen" she said. Il have tried TO
tell you something about honor and
duty. My honor says that that ship
must be called. My duty bids me call
her You said that you love me-"
Said" exclaimed the man.
You do love me. then" returned
the woman. and I you. but that love
must be tested. tried In the world.
can never believe In II. In you. until
the trial has been made. We must