, 1910-04-21

pam ABOUT his heart. my tines
ABOUT up. If I could sit down some
where" ~
"Hhre." cried Charnock.
ne halt led, half carried the a
supporting him with his powerful arms.
10 a seat on the terrace across which
the shadow of the house fell in the
morning.
Thank you" said Lansford "Nov.
ne iumbled in his pocket and pulled
OUT a little phial with shaking fin
gers III you will be kind enoug to
open that and give me one of these"
ne gasped, Il am hardly up to it."
Quickly, deftly, Charnock took the
pnlal' opened it, placed one OF the
'aolets In the others hand and waited
a~hNlously. Above on the porch a ser.
want appeared and him Charnock babe
bring water. wine. r~estoratives. Pres.
ehtly Langford recovered himself. the
powerful medicine acted, the tearing
pain at his heart abated. If left him
fearfuliy weak and broken but his own
master.
Well" he said with cynical bitter
ness you see"
yes" answered Charnock gravely.
81 see."
Il am going in one of those some
day and mighty soon now, and it is
because of that that / came to see
you. wanted to talk to you about
her"
No man speaks to me about her
But you can't refuse the dying, yor
know. You can't go away and leave
me here. You can't stop me by force.
When l am weak. | am strong" ne
quoted almost sardonically.
81 shall not leave you,' said Char
mock. You are paying for what you
did. My God, I could envy you your
going. Do you think life is sweet and
pleasant to me with the memory of
what / did ~rankling?"
mo, / suppose not" said Langford.
but l didn't really come so much to
talk about her as TO talk about you
81 can't conceive that | am a proper
subject for your conversation"
He said it firmly but not unkindly.
Langiord was too pltiable a spectacle
for that
IT'S about your project" went on
the other. viii you tell me about
it?"
Haven't you read the papers?"
Yes, but ! want to hear from your
own lips what you propose to do. l
am a business man accustomed to
large affairs. I want to hear with my
own ears all about it."
Charnock hesitated. After all, why
not. Standing before the other, he
outlined all his plans. Rapidly, dra-
matically. concisely. he builded before
the others eyes the castle of his
dreams.
ut is to be for her, a memorial to
her, you see, so that her name shall
be remembered and prayers and bless
ings called down upon her head by
generations yet unborn"
ut is a practicable scheme said
Langford, 'and a great one Who has
it in charger"
Men you know" answered Char
mock, rapidly naming them.
"They a make it go if anybody
can l congratulate you upon it. 1t
is a great idea. AS usual" he laughed
bitterly, you have got ahead of me.
While you have been working and liv-
ing these two years. l have been idling
and dying, But l ear make some
amends at least. You will see pres
emily. Now I must go"
He rose unsteadily to his feet.
Watt" said Charnock. Il never
thought to do this. | never thought to
speak to you again. But you can't go
now. You are in no state to travel
even in an automobile. You must
come to the house until you recover
yourself, get a rest over night, let me
send for a physician. | don't mean
that there can be friendship between
us. There is too much in the past
that keeps US apart. | have never be-
fore been glad that l didn't break you
when ! held you in my arms upon the
could do to undo 1t. She forgave me,
you, | can do it. Maybe by that | can
earn some forgiveness myself. We
we're both fools and you were knave
but you we've Uan at last. I wasn't
Stay here. ! woQ't distdrb'y you"
by heaven!" said Langford, flush
ing, you are man now. No, | won't
stay, but / thank you for your offer,
and | will pay you for it."
Charnock put up his hand.
81 want no pay"
Nevertheless, you shall have it"
insisted the other, 81 will give you a
word of advice. although to do 1t
damns mel"
He nupgaJ laid hio hand unpn bia
heart again, clenched the clothing
about his breast as If he would fain
tear 1t off. He was white once more,
the sudden flush had gone, but his lips
were set determinedly.
"lsisten we'll to what l tell you" he
said slowly. 81 break my word to do
it. am false to my oath in what |
say NnYerihelass say Ii. Go hack