The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1911-04-07

the VA rapidly atfoss the beach out
Of earshot but not out or sightamons
the trees.
Nov, he said turning and facing
the other two. .ss
ne noticed that the woman was
sghastly white and that Langford was
scarcely less pale.
STR said Laneford firmly, ~ de.
cline TO answer:yopr question. / have
business with this lady and with her
alone. 1t does not concern YOU and /
beg you to withdraw for a moment
and give me free speech with her.
After that ! may baye 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 a moment Langford looked as II
he would have sprung upon the other,
oat he was so clearly no match for
the Wild stranger that discretion came
to his aid and kept him still. Besides
ne had no wish for vulgar Drawing
then. He turned to the woman.
katherine. he said, 81 have much
to sly 10 you. Can't you make this
nan hear reason?"
She has made me hear reason for
three years." answered the, man for.
her before she could speak, "but her
power ends in this hour.
The woman looked at, him piteously
and nodded her head. She realized
that the thread of destiny was taken
from her hands and forever.
"Mr. Langford, you will have to say
to me whatever You wish before this
man." she said at last.
other,
ut must be-"
And %interposed the man, you
shall say nothing to her until you have
answered my questions,
There must be no violence" cried
ne woman. stepping between the two.
NO Yio.snce!n
For answer the man gently, but
with Irresistible force, lifted her out
OF the way. She knew now where he
got the strength to tear down the
rocky wall. and while she trembled,
she thrilled.
Katharine" said Langford-to do
hin Justice he was not afraid-"what
is this man to- your"
am nothing to her." answered
the man, except that | love her"
And you?" said Langford, hotly,
still addressing the woman.
she loves me-" again answered the
other, and we were happy until you
brought the world to our shores.
Since then she has wept.. Look at her
now
MY God" exclaimed Lafngford. rs
it ;posslble?"
It is true" said the woman, finding
voice at last and looking steadily
from n to the other.
Langford's emotion now passed all
bounds. He had trembled before; he
shook now as3if with the palsy. He
reached, out and caught the trunk of
one of the trees to steady, himself.
What arc. YOU to this man. In Gods
name?" he. criea%lnaa 24 96all
Nothing. Ever since i fed from
the ship on that hateful night and
landed ton this islahd,rwe have been
friends. good friends. He was. q. cast.
away. He had forgotten his speech.
He had lived here since he was al
child. 4 taught him everything
To love yoa?" querIed Langford In
hot and bitter jealousy.
That was q thing Islearned my.
self" answered the man. And yes.
terday. yon might calf It chance, butt
| call 1t God" said the man gravely,
discovered to us the love we borel
each other and that is ALL"
Are you--forgive the question:"
said Langford, addressing the woman.
and there was agony in HIS voice, "as
you were when l left you?"
7 am a different woman, thank
God!"
Different"
"Yes, but in the sense in which you
mean the question. | am lust as l was,
save that | love this man."
But YOU had no right to love him
or any one" burst forth 'Langford bit.
terly.
And do you reproaeh me with
that"
: DO II"
Think OF your wife"
She's dead" said the man hoarse
ly. Il have searched the world for
you. have come back here to make
amends, to own my fault, to- marry
yon before God and man, to take you
back, to do for you as long as | shall
live all that a man can do"
There was such genuine passion in
his voice and in his appeal that the
most inimical and Indifferent would
have recognized It. but there was no
response to 1t in the woman's heart,
Algreater love than his had come into
her soul. The whole current of her
being flowed to the man by her side.
NO" she said. Your words have
no appeal for me. They awaken no
IN nv heart. T love fhis man |,