The Southern herald., 1910-07-29

was sorrow, 50 IN her gladness there
was apprehension. That test Of which
she had dreamed the night before
was now to be complete. She would
postpone the telling Of her story IN
til he could hear IN comment upon 1t
the voice Of the world.
They had lived IN Eden, Eden with
out a serpent They had plueked the
tree Of knowledge at viii and no
consequences evil had ensued, yet
nevertheless, they must go out into
the world now. the world with its
pains, its tolls and frets, the world
with its mockeries and scorns. and
take up the appointed life Of men. He
loved her nowhere could not be
any doubt about that-but what would
be do when he knew and when he
knew that the world knew as well
what she had thought, what she had
been. and what she had done. Alas,
when that ships boat touched the
shores of their island. the angel Of
the flaming sword would always guard
their entrance and prevent their re-
turning to H.
She was a brave woman. She could
face the Inevitable with courage, with
philosophy which now at last was
Christian She had had three peace
ful years and a day of such happiness
as falls to the lot Of few OF the chill
dren of sorrow. Perhaps that was
all that she was destined to look back
upon Of Joy Perhaps the future held
for her only expiation. Perhaps she
ought not TO rebel against that possi-
bility. She ought to be glad Of such
an opportunity, indeed But she was
woman, and by and by she hid her
face in her hands and wept.
In all their intercourse he had never
seen her weep Tears were entirely
foreign to his experience. He knew
what sorrow was, what sadness was,
what sympathy was, for his Aeart had
been torn when she had read to him
the story Of the Man of Sorrows and
his sufterings. A child OF nature, the
pathetic in the Old Covenant and the
New had appealed to him profoundly,
but his were not easy tears. He had
never shed any. He had never seen
any. He was appalled,, therefore,
when approaching noiselessly he laid
his hand upon her shoulder and saw
and heard the evidence of her grief
He dropped the box to the sod and
knelt beside her.
Has the sight Of the ship made you
weep?" he said, softly. Il wish that
had never come to tell you 1t was
there!"
we have been so happy together
you and l." said the woman. This
island has been nay world, my haven
my heaven, rather, and you have beer
humanity to me, but now the earth
opens before you. You will have 9th
er hopes, other ambitions, perhaps
Don't say It," protested the man
Vehemently II shall have nothing
nothing but you anywhere, every
where, and, besides, nothing i:
changed. See, the smoke grows fairA
er; the ship more dim. She passe.
beyond. Things shall be as they
were! We shall live on, and low,
ont"
Her desolation, her sorrow appealed
to him profoundly. He took her IL
his arms. He laid her head gentl,
upon his shoulder. There was protec
tion and tenderness as well as pas
sion In his touch.
Together" he whispered, pattin,
, her hair softly, "alone, you and Il"
For one delicious moment wit
closed eyes she let herself be 8
soothed and comforted. But her bel
ter nature woke on the instant, as /
were.
NO" she said, drawing away fror
him gently, 1T would not be right
We belong In the world of men. Me
and women are not men and wome
until they have lived among their fe
lows, until they have fought down tn
temptations of which we know notl
ing here, and have conquered them
out there. Give me the flint and stee
| must call back the ship"
He stopped as she spoke and pickle
up the little silver box. He extende
his hand toward her, and then SUI
denly drew 1t back.
You cannot light the beacon" b
said
Cannot" she cried.
mo, for will not give you the fir
. and STEEL"
You must give 1t to me-"
Il will not. l am the stronger, an
you cannot take 1t from me-" he r,
turned, with growing firmness.
1t was the first time in all their II
tercourse that he had disobeyed
command. She looked at him amaze,
her heart, nevertheless throbbing {
the mastery in his tone, at the though
that he was willing to throw away th
world for her 1t is true he had ha
no experience OF that he was glvin
} up, but he was not entirely ignorant
what lay beyond the horizon, an
she had presented it In such
way that 1t glowed with color and lii
and charm. The evil, the sordid an
the wretched had been lightly q
lndnd 10 i,,nA daAulAal.. .Ho...L .