The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1911-11-29

never again-Ah, no Magdalene ever
wept bitterer tears at the feet of
Jesus than this woman in her hours
of solitude over her mistaken past,
her loss and shame
She had hours of solitude, too. Early
in the life they lived. she had laid
down certain regulations. He was in
the formative period then and had
unhesitatingly acquieseed in them. So
far those regulations had neither been
abrogated by her nor broken by him.
A cave upon the farther side of the
island had been found and that was
his home. They breakfasted together
at a certain hour. which he told BY
means of the sun and she by her
faithful watch. The morning was spent
in study In the afternoon they sep
arated, each passing it in accordance
with individual preference, but he
vigorously kept to his side and she to
her side Of the island during the
period. Certain dividing lines clearly
established and understood marked
which was his and which was hers.
At supper time they met again and
passed the time together in conversa-
ton until the rest period arrived.
Things had to be this way else life
would have been uncomfortable They
lived on the natural products of the
island which we're varied and sufi-
GENTLY abundant to fulfill all dietetic
requirements.
She had also taught him things not
learned from books Among them,
truth, honor, duty and dignity-all the
virtues. Her instruction had been
first, that which was natural-ethical
merely, but afterward it had grown
spiritual. Unspotted from the world
he, and she washed white she hoped
and prayed in spite of spots, they lived
a life of idyllic innocence Yet be-
cause he was a man and she was a
woman. strange fires glowed beneath
the outward calm, strange ideas and
desires and thoughts rose from both
hearts. This was inevitable. Fer
original relation to the man had been
one Of so great superiority as to be
fatal to the early development Of any
feeling but the maternal. Even now
she possessed the superiority which
association with her kind, her longer
training and her greater opportunities
had given her And yet she could only
recognize that to the impartial view
considering his abilities and oppor-
tunities he stood quite on level with
her. Perhaps had he enjoyed her
chances he might have stood higher.
She began to idealize him, to dream
about him. to wonder. She trembled
on the verge Of passion. She knew his
to be a brilliant mind. She OWNED
his to be knightly soul Physically.
in face and figure, no more splendid
man, untrammeled by base convention,
ever stood upon the earth's surface.
Grace and strength mingled in har-
mony that was as striking as it was
full of charm. She had no opportuni.
ty to test his courage. for no physical
danger ever menaced them. But she
believed in his manhood thoroughly.
The woman had had bitter expert
ence with love. Following what she
believed to be the highest inspiration
she had wrecked her life and brought
herself to this pass. The revolt in
her soul at the thought Of the man
who had so degraded her, or who had
so taken advantage Of her ignorance
and innocence-the more complete
since they were covered by conf
denee of knowledge and sophistication
AS to allow her to degrade herself,
convinced her that what she had mis-
taken for divine light was only false
FIRE, an ignis fatuus which had led her
into the marsh and slough Of slime
and shame. She loathed the thought
Of that man. She had Ioathed. when
she had been thrown upon that island,
the thought OF all men. This one
had given back her confidence in her
kind. Yet sometimes she wondered
whether that confidence were war
ranted OF not because Of him. Sup
pose he should come in touch with
the world, what would happen7 Was
he, too. capable of breaking a wo-
mans heart? Would he do it? Was
hers the heart? What would the soil
ing touch of the sordid conditions I'M
der which life was lived, as she had
known It, do for him? Would he still
be unspotted? Would be think her
the sames She had taught him many
things, But how should he learn to
fight temptations, temptations with
which he had no experience, which
never came to him, she fondly
dreamed.
Yet she had confidence in him. She
had confidence IN God. and we cannot
have confidence in God without some
confidence in man. The converse, too,
is true, Therefore she believed. She
was confident that he would rise SUI
preme in the face of every test. She
wondered If the test would ever be ap-
piled to him, II she would be there to
see. She found herself praying for
affirmation in both matters. Her be-
lief In him would only be belief
founded upon hope until he had been
tried. There was a doubt about him
that must be resolved; she must re-
solve 1t, She could never be satisfied,
in spite of her belief. until she had
done so. The very fact that she
thought so keeniy upon the subject;
that she was SO interested and en-
crossed in the situation was evidence
to her that she cared more for the
man than. she had dreamed 1t possible.
And what Of him. For once her in
tuition failed her. She wanted 70 see
him tested and tried; she wanted to
see him. tempted and triumphant but
he was all Of that IN those very hours
in which she faneied him so unthink-
ing. It never occurred to her that he
might entertain an earthly passion for
her. she still. from ancient habit, be-
lieved herself 80 far above him that
such an ambition would have been lit
tie less than sacrilege TO him. She
lulled herself to sleep with that idea.
She believed, she knew, of course,
that all that was needed was q sug
gestion from her. To love is the lot
Of man. This man had seen no other
than her II she said the word. It
would be accomplished. She held
the only key to his heart; her hand
could unlock it on the instant She
forgot the masteF key and the Master
Hand
He had controlled that strange
trembling that used to take him when
ever be touched her, but she could
feel his pulse beat and throb wien by