Mexico Missouri message., 1910-10-20
eg SR9
g283

you, can do it. Maybe by that can
earn some forgiveness myself. We
were both fools and you were knave,
but you were man at last. l wasn't
Stay here. l won't disturb you"
by heavenl" said Langford, flush
ing, you are man now. No, l won't
stay, but / thank you for your OFFER
and l will pay you for it."
Charnock put up his hand.
81 want no pay"
Nevertheless, you shall have It,"
insisted the other. Il will give you a
word of advice, although to do it
damns mel"
He paused, laid his hand upon his
heart again, clenched the clothing
about his breast as if he would fain
tear it Off He was white once more,
the sudden flush had gone, bat his lips
were set determinedly.
Listen well to what tell you," he
said slowly. 81 break my word to do
it. am false to my oath in what l
| say. Nevertheless l say it. Go back
to the island!"
"What?" cried Charnock.
Don't you hear me?" asked the
man, intense bitterness in his voice.
Now that he had made the plunge, he
realized more keenly than ever what
| 1t meant to him even in the very ar
ticles of death to think of Charnock
and the woman. do l have to say it
again." he went on. GO back to the
| island"
! His voice rose until he almost cried
the five words in Charnock's face. The
| Virginian stood absolutely appalled,.
Langford looked at him a moment,
laughed bitterly, turned, and went
slowly down the steps. More than
ever he hated him. In one bound
Charnock was by his side.
you have said too much or too lit
tle," he cried, laying his hand upon
the other. what do you mean? Why
should go back to the island? Is she
there?"
In his agitation, he even shook the
frazier, slighter, feebler form of the
man who had just uttered those
words.
Unless" said Langford coolly, you
want me to die on your threshold, you
would better take of your hand. The
doctors told me that the least physical
violence or exertion would be fatal
to me-"
Releasing him, Charnock spoke
again.
But won't you tell me what you
mean? Great God, man, think what
your words convey?"
II will tell you nothing, nothing
further. This is my last will and test
ament to you. Though die here, I
have nothing further to say to you
than this: Go back to the island.
Damn you!"
He turned away again and went
down the steps leaving Charnock
standing staring after him. He reeled
slightly as he went, but he caught
himself and marched on with as great
a resolution rs ever any soldier mani
tested in the point of danger He had
displayed weakness once in the pres
ence of his enemy. He would not do
it again. And while Charnock stared
at him, he stepped out through the
gate from under the trees. entered the
big car and was whirled away.
Left to himself Charnock sat down
upon the bench and pressed bis head
in his hands, his thoughts in wild
whirl. Go back to the island! Why
had he said that? Who was there?
Did some fantastic spirit of revenge
send him half way round the world on
some fools errand? Hatred spoke in
the mans voice. He had coupled his
injunction with curse which was
sufficient attest to the bitterness of his
feelings. And yet truth spoke there,
too. Go back TO the islandl What
could It mean7
A long time he sat resolving in his