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

I'VE have been so happy together
you and said the woman. This
island has been my world, my haven
my heaven, rather, and you have been
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. 4 shall have nothing,
nothing but you anywhere. every.
where, and, besides, nothing is
changed. See. the smoke grows faint
er; the ship more dim. She passes
beyond. Things shall be as they
werel We shall live on, and love
on!"
Her desolation, her sorrow appealed
to him profoundly. He took her in
his arms. He laid her head gently
upon his shoulder. There was protec-
ton and tenderness as well as pas
sion in his touch.
Together" he whispered. patting
her hair softly. "aIone, you and II"
For one delicious moment with
closed eyes she let herself be SO
soothed and comforted. But her bet
ter nature woke on the instant, as it
were.
NO." she said. drawing away from
him gently, 1T would not be right.
We belong in the world of men. Men
and women are not men and women
until they have lived among their fel-
lows, until they have fought down the
temptations of which we know moth
ing here, and have conquered them
out there. Give me the flint and steel.
l must call back the ship"
He stopped as she spoke and picked
up the little silver box. He extended
his hand toward her, and then sud
denly drew it back.
You cannot light the beacon" he
said.
Cannot" she cried.
mo. for will not give you the flint
and STEEL"
You must give it to me-"
Il will not. l am the stronger and
you cannot take it from me-" he re-
turned, with growing firmness.
1t was the first time in all their in
tercourse that ne had disobeyed a
command. She looked at-him amazed.
her heart, nevertheless throbbing at
the mastery in his tone, at the thought
that he was willing to throw away the
world for her. 1t is true he had had
no experience of that he was giving
up, but he was not entirely ignorant of
what lay beyond the horizon, and
she had presented it in such a
way that it glowed with color and life
and charm. The evil, the sordid and
the wretched had been lightly al
luded to, just definitely enough to
shade the picture and bring out the
higher lights of civilization. His was
not the decision. therefore, Of an IN
tutored, inexperienced savage, not the
abandonment of a toy by a child;
there was some reality in it and the
reality measured his affection. Her
heart leaped in her breast at that
thought. For one fieeting moment she
acquiesced. Things would go on in
the old way. But things could not 90
on in the old way. For day and a
night, in spite of the great change
that had come to their feelings, life
had flowed on as usual, but there was
a limit to human power. It was bet
ter, whatever betide. that they should
go back to civilization. The woman
stared at him long and earnestly, her
lip trembling, her face pale, her eyes
shining. They stood speeches. at
gaze for moment, and then she
spoke.
You are right" she said, my pow
er over you has gone. can no longer
command. Mine has ceased to be the
supreme will. but beg you. entrat
you, l pray you, give me the flint and
steel. See, on my knees l ask youl"
She sank down before him in an at
titude which he knew to be that of
prayer. They had often read the
sacred Scriptures and had said their
prayers together on the sand or be-
meath the trees since she, too, in the
solitude had seen God and believed.
Il cannot, l will not" he answered,
hoarsely, stepping nearer to her.
NO" she said, you must not touch
me, you shall not touch me. shall be
to you as a stranger, unless you take
me by force. if you will not let me
light that beacon"
NO. said the man, doggedly.
when the world touches our shores it
brings you unhappiness. Let it pass"
"Listen!" she said. Il have tried to
tell you something about honor and
duty. My honor says that that ship
must be called. My duty bids me call |
her. You said that you love me"
"Saidl" exclaimed the man.
you do love me, then" returned
the woman, "and I you, but that love |
must be tested, tried in the world. ] |
can never believe in it, in you, until |
the trial has been made. We must
call back the shipl"
But l can believe in you without
any test"
Il am different. I have been out
there. / know what it is. 1 have
seen other men"
She looked ixedly at him. He bent
closer to her and laid his hand upon
her shoulder, not this time in caress.
She WINGED from the tightness of his
grasp, the fierce intensity of his
clutch, yet she did not draw away.
and he was not conscious of the force
he used.
You have seen other men. They
have loved your
Yes" she forced herself to reply.
"And you?"
Il have loved no man but you"
You had something TO tell me- You
were to tell me to-day"
Eyes"
"Yes."
What was it?"
4 will tell you when we have gone
back where men and women live
Why not now ?"
You must hear the voice of the
world in comment upon what l say"
But If we do not go back?"
There viii be a secret between us
which ] will carry to my grave. 1t
would be fatal TO cur happiness. You
see we must call back the ship. Give
ne the flint and steel, for Co.'s sake,
Z you love me, man.
She had never adjured him in that
ashton before. He stood irresolute
moment and dropped the box at her
eet. She had conquered, conquered
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