Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-02-16
CHAPTER XIV.
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CHAPTER XIV.
Accusation and Admission.
Now that the great moment had
come-for Langford had at last recog-
riized the woman whom he sought in
( spite Of her strange garb-he became
suddenly acutely conscious of trivial
details and accurately responsible to
1 matters of no moment He stepped,
for instance, near the bow Of the boat,
told the coxswain that he might allow
the men to land but that they must re-
main close to the beach and within
easy call and see that the boat was
properly secured. Then he turned and
walked slowly singular how eager he
had been for that moment and how
tariy he was in availing himself Of
1t when 1t came-toward the two who
stood silently watching little dis
lance away.
He was dressed in q boating suit
OF white and wore a white yachting
cap. He was distinctly good looking.
His repentance. his anxiety. his disap-
pointment had refined his face to q
certain degree and he was not an I'M
worthy specimen Of humanity In ap-
pearance. The man looked at him
With vivid curiosity and sudden
(eense Of dismay to find the new conner
No worthy OF respect on the ground OF
appearance at least.
The glance that Langford gave the
r1an was at once casual and indiffer-
emit. His whole interest was centered
upon the woman. He found himself
trembling violently in spite Of the
superhuman efforts he put forth at
control. It was only the most iron
constraint indeed that enabled him to
approach her at all. AS he drew near
to her, he took of his cap, bowed to
her and strove to speak
Katharine" he said at last hoarse-
", thank God that have found you!"
Woman" said the man by her side,
stepping swiftly forward and confront
ing Langford, "who is this MANI"
His name," returned the woman
steadily. lis Valentine Arthur Lang
ford"
what did you do to her." asked the
3 man with the bluntest possible direct
ness, that she weeps at the thought Of
you; that she is filled with horror as
you approach; that she looks at you
as she does now? have never seen
that look upon her face since we have
been upon this island"
Langford turned and faced the man
as these singular queries we're put to
him.
"Who is this man, Katharine?" he
asked, an angry flush in his face.
Il don't know for certain" the
woman answered, "but think his
name is
What has my name to do with it,"
interrupted the man persistently.
s'Will you answer my questtons?"
When know who you are and by
what right you put them. will de-
eide, Il was Langford's contemptuous
answer.
The woman had never seen her COM
panion In temper. but he was peril
ously near the breaking point now. and
Langford, although he realized IT. not,
had never been and would never be
in so much danger as at that instant.
A swift glance showed her the man
strung to the very outbreaking point.
The woman laid her hand upon his
arm. calming touch.
I'm, the world" she said, people are
presented to one another" :
How she loathed Langford. She
$hnyYUhkt for q %huk ~ hcA
only to say the word and her island
companion would tear him to pieces.
She wondered how far after all she
had succeeded in instilling into his
mind the restraints Of civilization. She
began to see dimly that such an
achievement was beyond the power Of
any single individual; that 1t had been
in the past and would always be in the
future the result Of the cooperation
and restraint of the many. Yet she
forced herself to speak evenly to the
visitor.
Mr.. Langford, believe this mans
name to be John Revell Charnock. 1
believe him to be an American, vir-
ginian. found him here upon the
island"
This matters nothing" said the Is.
lander, II don't care what this mans
name is, or who he is. want to know
why he distresses you"
"Sir." said Langford, wondering what
was the best tone to take with this
singular being, pray let us withdraw
yohder to the shade Of the trees where
we can be more priyate.n +
The men in the boat who had scram-
bled out upon the sands had been
! eager spectators and auditors Of every
thing that had gone on. Their curl
osity was greatly excited and their
propinQuity was evidently distasteful
to Langford.
You are refusing to answer my
questions" said the man. II will not
be put of further"
Man." said the woman, laying her
hand upon his arm. ut is my wish"
"Oh, II you wish It,"
II He turned without word and led
the way rapidly across the beach out
Of earshot but not out Of sight among
the trees.
Now" he said turning and facing
the other two. CT
He noticed that the woman was
shastly white and that Langford was
scarcely less pale.
Sir" said Langford firmly. 81 de-
cline to answer your question. i have
business with this lady and with her
alone. 1t does not concern you and |
beg you to withdraw for moment
and give me free speech with her.
AFTER that ! may have some questions
to put to you"
Everything that concerns her con.
Germs me- said the man, sternly.
What you have to say to her must
be said to me. Speak on"
For 9 moment Langford looked as II
he would have prung upon the other,
but he was sc clearly no match for
the Wild stranger that discretion came