The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1905-1910, 1910-09-16
CHAPTER XIV.


NOW tnat tnt trtdt moment nho
come-for LAngford had at last recog-
mixed the woman whom he sought In
spite OF her strange garb-he became
suddenly acutely conscious OF trivial
details and accurately responsible to
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
tardy he was in availing himself Of
II when II came-toward the two who
stood silently watching a little dis
lance away.
He was dressed In a 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 10 a
certain degree and he Was not An un-
worthy specimen Of humanity In ap-
pearanoc. The man looked At him
with vivid curiosity and sudden
sense OF dismRy 20 md the new conner
40 worthy Of respect on the ground OF
appearance 90 least
The glance that Langford gave the
man was NJ once casual and indifer-
ent. His whole interest was conferred
upon the woman He found himself
trembling violently IN spite OF the
superhuman efforts be put forth At
control II vas only the most iron
constraint indeed that enabled him 10
approach her q all IA be drew near
TO her. he took on his cap. bowed 70
her and strove 20 speak.
"Kstharine.T be said AZ last hoarse-
ly, thank God that have found youi"
Woman" said the man by her side.
stepping swiftly forward and confront
ing IAngford. who IL this mani"
"His name" returned the woman
steadily, ia Valentine Arthur Lang
ford"
What did you DO 70 her" asked the
man with the bluntest possible direct
ness. that abe weeps at the thought Of
you: that abe IL allied with horror az
you approach; thst she looks st you
as she does now have never seen
that look upon her face since we have
been upon ,hls island"
LAnSford turned and faced the man
40 thess singular queries were put to
him
Who Il this man, Kathariner' be
asked. an angry nush IN his face.
4 don't know for certain" the
woman snsxsrsd. but ! think his
name H."
what has my name 10 do, vita nj"
interrupted the man persistenuy.
viii you answer my questions7"
when ] know Who you are and By
What right you put them. WI de-
eide" vas LanEford's oontemptuous
answer.
The womsn had never seen her com
psnion In . temper. but be was peril
ously near the bres king point now. and
LAngford. although he realized u not
had never been and would never be
in 20 much danger a. At that instant
A swift glance showed her the man
strung TO the very outbreaking point
The woman laid her hand upon his
arm. a calming touch.
In the world" she said. people are
presented 10 one another"
How she loRthed Langford. She
thought for a moment that she had
only TO say the word and her island
companion woa,c tear k!l 10 pieces
She wozcered how fer 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 II 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. ~
MI Langford. believe this mans
name 20 be John Revell Charnock. ]
believe him 10 be an American, a Vir.
ginian. found him here upon the
island"
This matters nothing" said the Ia.
lander. Il don't care what this mans
name Is. or who he Is. ! want 10 know
why he distresses you"
sir" said Langford. wondering what
was the best tone 10 take with this
singular being, pray let us withdraw
yonder TO the shade Of the trees where
We can be more private"
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. Il will not
be put OF further"
Man" said the woman. laying her
hand upon his arm. 1T IL my wish"
"Oh. II you wish IT,"
He turned without . word and led
nAMnRllEE Ann lTHAlAG CHAl .