The Mena weekly star., 1910-07-14

He stopped as she spoke and nickad up the little silver box. lie extended his hand toward her. and then a,c. denly drew 1t back.
 You cannot light the beacon" he said. "a
 Cannot" she cried.
 No. for I will not give you the flint and steel"
 You must give it to mo"
 T will not l am the stronger, and you cannot tako 1t from me-" ho re- turned. with growing flrmness.
 It was the first time in all thet tn- tercourso that he had dieobeyed n command. Sho looked at him amazed her heart, nevertheless throbbing at the mastery in his tone. nt the thought that he was willing to throw away the world for her. It Is true be had had no experience of that he was giving uD but he was not entirely ignorant of what lay beyond the horizon. and she had presented it in such a way that 1t glowed with color and life and charm. The evil, the sordid and the wFetched had been lightly al. iudod to, just definitely enough to shado tho picture and bring 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 it and the reality measured his affection. Her heart leapod in her breast at that thought For one fleeting 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 0 night fin spite of the great change that had como to their feelings, life had flowed on as usual, but there was limit to human power. It was bot ter. whatever betido. that they should go back to civilization. Tho woman stared at him long and earnestly, her lip trembling. her face pale. her eyes shining. They stood speechleee at gaze for moment and then she spoke.
 You are right she said, my pow CT over you has gone. can no longer command Mine has ceased to be the supreme will. but l beg you. I entrat you. pray you. give nc the flint and steel Sec, on my knees l ask youl"
 She sank down before him in an at thude' 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 Cod and believed. T cannot will not.- be answered. noarsely. stepping tearer to her.
 No sbe said, you must no. touch me, you shall not touch mo. shall be to you as a stranger. unless you take nc by force. If you wul not bet me light that beacon"
 No said the man. dnggedly When the world touches our shores 1t hrings you unhappiness. Let 1t pass.
 'Ilsteni- sbe said. T 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 lovo me-
 "Saidl" exclaimed the man.
 You do iovo ma then" returned the woman. and | you, but that love must be tested. tried in tho world. can mover believe in it in you, until the trial has been made. We mus; coll back the shipi"
 'Dut can believe in yuu without any test-
 q am different. have besn ou, there know what il ia have seen other mon.-
 She looked fiKcdly at him He bent closer to her and laid his hand upon her shoulder, not this time in caress She winced from the tlghtncss cs h'r grasp. the fierce intensity d his clutch. yet she did not draw away and he was not conscious of the force | be used
 You have seen ether men They have loved your
 Yea sbo torcod herself to reply. And your
 T have loved 20 man but you" NOu udu Dp&uSthiuh po tGti uh5> HUI we're to tou 100 today "Yes.-
 -was R about come other manr" Yes
 What was itr'
 T will tell you when we have gone back where men and women live"
 "why not nowY-
 You must hear the voice Of th' world in comment upon what l say. 1 "Dut if we do not so backy"
 There will be a secret between ui which l will carry to my grave. l would be fatal to our happiness Yo' see we must call back the ship. Civ mo the flint and steel for Gods sake | if you love me, manl"
 She had never adiured lA Tn Una fashion before. He stood irieaoint moment and dropped the box at ho feet. She had conquered. conqaoTe' by appealing to his love for her. Moth lng else, she fals would have move' | him
 Eagerly she opened the silver Do | .1. st.oroa tha tiny imulpY.G nts