The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1911-04-12
cHAPTERExIx:
rhssm,nt, faiiure...

I = i. AL . o.
CHATTER Xxx: ~ 81
M 4ThesMsn's Failure.
AT five q clock d boat pitt on from
the big white crtilser, conveying the
islander, the captain. the other officers
and Langford to the shore. The woman
met them on the sand. She had dis.
carded her; woven tunic and was
dressed JIM tha faded sblue blouse and.
skirt which she hid worn when she
had left tbs, yacht and which she had
ever since preserved with such scru-
pulous. care for an emergency like this.
Well was It for her that the garments
we're loose and easy.fitting, else she
could not have put them on. 80 splen-
dIdly' had she developed IN waist and
chest and limb. She wore stockings
and shoes. and, save for a certain ma
tural elegance and freedom in her
bearing, she looked much as any other
woman, except that few women were
as! beautiful as she.
Her face, always colorless, was paier
than ever. Something OF the angufsh,
that she had gone Through was sesn
there by the keen eyes Of Whitaker,
at least, and even the, others could no.
tice the strong constraint she put UPON
herself and the evidences OF self.rei
straint were painfully: apparent 81
After momentary hesitation andJh
glance at the Islander, who. after lDs
first swift. comprehending survey III
the woman. stood with ayerted headA
She. conscious painfully Of his eyett
gesture and moyement-the lieuteii-
ant commander performed the necesI
sary introductions. This ceremony
over, It was the woman who spoke. IS
IT sent for you, gentlemen" she be-
gan. In order that a necessary deposf.
ton might be made to enable, II posi-.
BILE, 1my"1ssheS paused and bowed for.
maliy toward ;theijsiander-"" gen.
tleman, TO establfshShis identity, upon
which. as.I learn from Mr.. Whitaker,
much seems to depend, have here"
4 But could you not do this more con.
venlently later, on, the ship. Miss Bren.
ton?" interposed tie captain. He had
been told that she intended to stay on
the Island, but he could not believe 1t.
I'VE shall be very glad indeed to offer
you passage home. The ship Is fitted
for n flag and the admirals quarters
are yours to command. We are sailing
direct to the United States. with stop
at Honolulu. and will be glad to re.
store you to your friends"
ISL" said the woman. II have no
friends who care enough about rue to
welcome me or whom I care enough
about to wish to see. My mind is
made up. I shall stay on the island.
at least for the present"
"But, my dear young lady" began
tie officer.
Capt. Ashby," said the woman,
you are the commander OF that ship"
~ am"
ITO you is committed the ordering
Of her course?"
ITO me alone. Miss Brenton."
"You decide. all questions connected
with her on yonr own responsibility"
Z Il do, certainly; but:
"Sir., this is my ship, this island. n
] choose to stay here, cannot think
you will endeavor to take me hence
by force"
by no means s,..i
"Nor have,I anymore fondness for
having my decisions discussed than
you would have for hearing your
orders argued orS questioned"
ut is my island" cried the man.
roughly. "and ir-you; stay, / stay"
eve lose time. said the woman,
shortly. Il am here to give my testI-
mony; you are prepared to take it,"
/ II am" said the .lieutenant.com-
mander, stepping, forward. notebook in
hand. I Y ! 4, <. y s.
Captain, viii YOU conduct the neces:
sary inquiry" ~ &.
j Certainly said the captain. "AIr.
Langford. do you identify this lady?"
! 81 do. ;sir.s. answered Langrord. "She
is Miss Katherine Brenton Of San
Francisco"
YOU say thissofe your own personal
knawledge?' III 4. q a
1 YES sir"
/. .rroa VIII make aaldavlt TO that.
fact 2" .s:;,: .y,sSs 1, (, :, nm
with pleasure Y u! III
Il ~ondered,"s said the woman. III;
terly, why you came back.
IT: