The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1911-12-06
oo7Adse4 Print

lieved that his was John. and though
sometimes they made use Of these
names. generally they called each 9th
er by the broad generic terms which
stood for sex. Names are only for
differentiation and Identification in
any event, and here was no need FOR
such appellation. She loved to call
him Man" and she loved to hear him
call her Woman"
''You know he said, that It's not !
who brought the world upon us"
Il was unjust. unkind." she an
swered quickly enough, stretching out
her hand to him. You must forgive
me. You see even the approach of
yonder ship brings bitterness into our
hearts and into our speech.
Il guessed that It would be so when
I saw you weep" said the man. Il
wish now that I had not given you the
flint and steel; that I had not allowed
you to light the beacon
my friend, it had to be- Don't re-
proach yourself for that. Sooner or
later this island would have been Wis
tied by some one. Sooner or later the
ship would have come to fetch us
on"
But we we're SO happy here" he
protested.
yes. she answered, but not since
yesterday"
Are you unhappy because I love
your"
Because she made swift to reply.
Il am no longer sure that you will
love me always"
But you love me. do you Dot?" he
questioned, eagerly.
Yes
Are you sure of yourself?"
Absolutely"
why not of me. then? Am 1 less
true? Do loyeless than your"
Not now"
What is the difference between us,
then?o
not"
but 1 tell you that viii make no
difference; that"
mo man can say that who has no
experience to draw upon"
you are my mentor" said the man,
gently. You have taught me all 1
know, but sometimes l think that
about some things know more than
you, and this is one thing of which
am sure"
Yes" said the woman, you can
be sure so long as conditions remain
as they are at present, but other
times, other manners"
you have something to tell me?"
interposed the other. swiftly.
The woman nodded
you said yesterday you would tell
me to-day Why not tell me now?"
Because"
She hesitated.
Are you afraid to tell me%
Yes she said. AzsTl
Afraid of what?" Ana
"Of losing you"
Danish that fear"
But it's not that that keeps me
silent"
What them"
i would have the worlds comment
on what / say when l say it,"
''The worlds COMMENT What is
the worlds comment to me?"
"A test, trial of your feelings! If
1t breaks my heart, you must know"
IF you feel that way about it," said
the man resolutely. you need tell me
nothing at ALL"
1t was brave thing to say, for her
mysterious words filed him with du-
biety and dismay. He had no idea
what it was that she could tell him.
He had no experience by and through
which to embody her vague hints into
something real and tangible. He knew
that he was terribly grieved, and but
that he had no way to describe the
pain OF jealousy, he would have said
that he was racking with that unhappy
emotion.
Tell me nothing" he repeated
again, IF it grieves you"
Are you afraid of the test?" she
asked, swiftly.
Il am afraid of nothing. except los
ing you"
Il am not worthy of you," returned
the woman, "as l told you, but If you
will still have me if you will take me
when / have said what l must say,
and when the world has said what it
will say. then l shall be yours as long
as / live"
1T is WELL" said the man. II wait
the ship now eagerly that may show
you that what have said is true"
The vessel is nearer now" she
said at last, rising from where they
had been seated together upon the
grass absorbed in each other, and
pointing seward.
yes" he answered. 81 can even
see the figures upon the deck"
Your brother men"
win there be some women on the
ship2"
Il do not know" she answered,
quickly. 1T isn't likely. Do you wish
to see other women?"
None" was the instant answer. "I
wondered if my brothers would bring
you sisters. That was ALL"
There was absolutely no dissimula-
ton about the man. There had been
no coquetry about her. He would
simply have failed entirely to under
stand what it was. He was as honest,
as Straightforward, as absolute sim
plicity and sincerity must ever be.
and she had met him exactly on his
own ground. 1t was impossible, there
fore. for her to misapprehend his
mere casual interest.
She stood quietly studying the ap-
preaching vessel As she did so, it
came to her mind that there was some
thing strangely familiar about the on
coming ship. She stared longer, and
the conviction grew upon her. When
she realized it she clasped her hand
to her heart with a sudden gasp and
turned a white face upon him. He
was all solicitude in an instant.
What is the matter?Y he cried.
your face is white; you look so
strangely"
1T is sudden pain" she gasped.
terror and -dismay constructing her
throat.
She wayered. He thought she was
going to fan He stepped closer to
her and put his arm about her
mo, no." she said, repulsing.
1t was the first command she had
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