The Comrade. (Winnfield, La.) 1890-1914, 1910-10-07

three years." answered the man Tor I
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, "you
shall say nothing to her until you have
answered my questions"
There must be no violence" cried
the woman, stepping between the two
mo violence!"
For answer the man gently, but
with irresistible force, lifted her out
of the way. She knew now where ne
got the strength to tear down the
rocky wall, and while she trembled,
she thrilled.
Katharine" said Langford-to do
him justice he was not afrald-"what
is this man to you?"
II am nothing to her. answered
the man, except that love her.
And you?" said Langford, holly,
still addressing the woman.
"She loves me-" again answered the
other, "and we were happy until you
brought the world to our shores.
Since then she has wept. Look at her
now"
my God" exclaimed Langford, lis
it possible?"
1T is true" said the woman, finding
voice at last and looking steadily
from one to the other.
Langford's emotion now passed all
bounds. He had trembled before; he
y shook now as if with the palsy. He
reached out and caught the trunk of
: one of the trees to steady himself.
. What are you to this man, in Gods
r name?" he cried.
. Nothing. Ever since I fled from
the ship on that hateful night and
landed on this island, we have been
friends, good friends. He was cast
- away. He had forgotten his speech
}. He had lived here since he was a
>. child. l taught him everything"
-, ITO love you?" queried .Langford il
- hot and bitter jealousy.
THAT was one thing I learned my
:, SELF" answered the man.. "And yes
" terday, you might call it chance, bu
-, I call it God," said the man gravely
q "discovered to us the love we Dor
each other and that is ALL
:, "Are you-forgive the question,
~ said Langford, addressing the woman
~. ~ and there was agony in his voice, "a
10 you were when left you?'
~ II am different woman, than
God!" .-
-. "Different?'
,as Eyes, but in the sense in which ye
mean the question, am just as wa
- save that love this man.
w But you had no right to love hi
~. or any one," burst forth Langford b.
terly.
- And do you reproach me wi
or that?'
~, do 1?'
'A' Think of your wife"
"She's dead" said the man hoars
on' ". II have searched the world +
n.y. you. I have come back here to ma
us' amends, to own my fault, to mar
YOU before God and man, to take y
Il back, to do for you as long as sh
10 live all that a man can do"
ioA There was such genuine passion
Ilne his voice and in his appeal that t
ues most inimical and indifferent wol
Jug have recognized it, but there was
response to it in the womans hea
ucn A greater love than his had come II
lnls her soul. The whole current of I
being flowed to the man by her side
"No." she said. "Your words he
'a no appeal for me. They awaken
response in my heart. love this m
not YOU. !,
Have you thought cried Langf'
s. meaningly, that you are not free
love any one but me?'
by heaven!" cried the man sprl
ing forward, "this time will be
swered. Why is she not free to l.
H. me or any one?'
w. Because" said the other resolut
"before she came into your life
y belonged to me"
u Belonged to you?"
Eyes, to me-
- "And by what tie?"
y Langford hesitated. He was
ously wrought up. He saw that 1t
= necessary to make a break, rup'
between these two. He thought
If he could do SO, his own suit m
: the better prosper He was In de-
earnest and therefore he took the
How frightful 1t was, he had no
conception. He did not undersl
that he was dealing with print
man. How should he? He did
understand what passions slept
Meath the surface, And perhaps
had understood, to do him justice
he was a fearless man, he would
A-.1 i,,o+ tho same