Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-06-23

eager spectators and auditors of every |
thing that had gone on. Their curl
osity was greatly excited and their
propinQuity was evidently distasteful
to Langford.
"You are refusing to answer my
questions" said the man. Il will not
be put off further"
Man." said the woman, laying her
hand upon his arm, ut is my wish"
"Oh, If you wish it."
He turned without a word and led
the way rapidly across the beach out
of earshot but not out of sight among
the trees.
Now" he said turning and facing
the other two.
|. He noticed that the woman was
CHASTITY white and that Langford was
scarcely less pale.
"Sir," said Langford firmly, II de-
cline to answer your question. have
business with this lady and with her
alone. 1t does not concern you and l
beg you to withdraw for a moment
and give me free speech with her.
After that l may have some questions
to put to you"
Everything that concerns her con-
Germs me-" said the man, sternly.
What you have to say to her must
be said to me. Speak on"
For a moment Langford looked as If
he would have sprung upon the other,
but he was so clearly no match for
the wild stranger that discretion came
to his aid and kept him still. Besides
he had no wish for vulgar Crawling
then. He turned to the woman.
Katherine" he said, II have much
to say to you. Can't you make this
man hear ~reason?"
She has made me hear eas for
three years." answered the man for
her before she could speak, "but her
power ends in this hour"
The woman looked at him ~piteously
and nodded her head. She realized
that the thread of destiny was taken
from her hands and forever.
"Mr. Langford, you will have to say
to me whatever you wish before this
man." she said at last.
why, it's impossible" cried the
other.
1T must be-"
"And," interposed the man, "yor
shall say nothing to her until you have
answered my questions"
There must be no violence" criet
the woman, stepping between the two
mo violence!"
For answer the man gently, blu
with irresistible force, lifted her GU
of the way. She knew now where HI
got the strength to tear down tn
rocky wall, and while she trembled
she thrilled.
Katharine" said Langford-to d
him justice he was not afraid-"wha
is this mar to your"
81 am nothing to her." answere
the man, Except that I love her"
, "And your" said Langford, hotly
still addressing the woman.
, "She loves me-" again answered tn
other, "and we were happy until 20
: brought the world to our shores
Since then she has wept. Look at he
now"
. my God" exclaimed Langford, !"
it possible?"
2 1T is true" said the woman, findin
! voice at last and looking steadil
from n to the other.
Langford's emotion now passed a
. bounds. He had trembled before; b
. shook now as if with the palsy. H
. reached out and caught the trunk
L one of the trees to steady himself.
u what are you to this man, in God
Il name?" he cried.
. Nothing. Ever since 1 fled fro
Il the ship on that hateful night ar
. landed on this island, we have bee
. friends, good friends. He was a cas-
away. He had forgotten his speec
8 He had lived here since he was
! child. I taught him everything"
r ITO love your" queried Langford
o hot and bitter Jealousy.
THAT was n thing | learned m
SELF" answered the man. "And we
8 terday, you might call it chance, b
W l call 1t God" said the man gravel
discovered to us the love we bo
1t each other and that is all"
is Are you-forgive the question
W said Langford, addressing the woma
re- and there was agony in his voice, "
you were when / left your"
n g" am a different woman, thai
N God!"