The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1905-1910, 1910-09-23
CHAPTER Xxx.
The R,pentane, rha, Came Too late.


The Repentsnes That Came Too late.
For the FIRST time in his life the man
Of the island played the coward. He
was afraid to be alone. The others,
the officers OF the ship. that is, not
Tangford-he had gone back 10 his
own yacht. declining the captains in
vltation 10 dinncr-would have re-
spected the islanders mood and have
left him 10 himself. but II was evil
dent that he craved their society.
Whitaker and the old chaplain sus-
pected how II would be with him, but
they knew that sooner or later he
would have to retire to rest, and soon
err or later he would be alone.
And then his grief was so obvious.
that in accordance with a natural and
commendable tendency they strove to
cheer him up. They encouraged him
to ask questions They told him
many things in reply that the woman
could not have told him; that he had
half dimly suspected. but had not
known. They cleared up to him many
things which had seemed mysterious
and strange TO him.
And on their part they marveled at
the things he did know. at the thor
oughness with which he had been
taught. and at the wonderful acute
ness OF perception which he displayed.
The woman had marveled at II. too.
but she had become used to II In three
years OF intimacy. They saw II Inn
medlately with greater surprise.
In such engrossing conversation the
long hours passed until the striking
couplets OF the bell forward toiled
eight and II was midnight. No one
had any desire to sleep in view OF
the unusual and stimulating expert
ence which both parties to the inter.
change OF thought In the play OF ques
ton aud answer were enjoying. But
Il was the captain. hard-headed and
practical. who gave the signal for re-
firing. The men were not accustomed
to disregard even the suggestions OF
the autocrat OF the ship.
A spare cabin In the wardroom had
been arranged for the islander. and
there provided with the unwonted lux
ury OF night wear after hearty
Good night" from the lieutenant com
mander and a fervent God bless you
from the old chaplain. he was left
to his own devices. The strangeness
Of his situation. the. soft bed. the
snowy linen, the silk pajamas. the con
fining area OF the cabin. the sudder
! touch with Injuries OF civilization
would In itself have kept him awake
| had he been as heart whole and al
care free as when the woman had
] landed upon the island. But. indeed
the strangeness OF these things
aroused no emotions In his mind a.
| all for the moment he was alone hii
thoughts. which he had been fighting
desperately to keep upon other things
reverted to her. What was she doinl
for the FIRST time alone upon that is
land1 What was she thinking HI
realized that no more than he coulC
she be sleeping.
These were the first moments tina
/
quiet hours that he could spend II
considering the situation and in get
ting back his rudely disturbed bal
ance. There had been method In hi
training. and be had been taught thu
value OF considering a series of event.
logically n all their lights and bear
ings. Lying In the comfortable bert
he reviewed at length and deliberate
ly the history OF his life from the da.
that he had been born when he frs
bent over her sleeping upon the SAM
until that great glad hour when, tn
earthquake enlightening him. he tor
the rocks asunder. clasped her 10 hi
arms and pressed the FIRST kiss tina
he had ever given any one upon he
lips.
Unfiinchingly he reviewed witt
what calmness he could muster tn
scenes OF the morning and the day
He forced himself TO consider In al
its lights and bearings the informa
ton that had been given TO him. HI
tortured himself by the deliberat,
slow recalling OF every detail ant
then. quivering as II under the stimu
lus Of some blow upon a raw wound
he reviewed his own conduct. Enlight
eminent camo to him In that dark ant
silent hour, lie discovered first OF al
that he loved her: that the check AM
countercheck and variation and alter
alton in his emotions had been swep
away in great development of
more transcending feeling. II sh
should ask him that question on tn
morrow as TO whether he loved he