The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1911-12-20

80 D~SFSf SSNs
moment have maintained their erect
position. The woman knew in that
moment how such things could be.
But l love you still." said the man,
"And still want you for my wife"
Last night" went on the woman,
as If In dream, II seemed to you
the embodiment OF every excellence
that humanity can possess short Of
the divine"
YES" said the man. 81 loved you
as"
do l still possess those qualities
in your eyes?"
He hesitated. He strove to speak.
"The truth! The truth" whispered
the woman. Nothing else. so help
you Godl"
NO." said the man, but love you
still, and you ought to marry me. you
must. Can't you understand"
Listen" said the woman. fercely.
y did not 80 to that man yonder. al
though he offered me everything that
honor could dictate and that true az
lection could suggest. do believe, be-
cause did not love him, although |
have since come to respect him, after
have thought 1t over. It is not duty,
but love, which is the compelling mo-
tive in this matter And l won't take
you; / would not take an angel from
heaven unless he thought me in eT-
cry particular all that q woman
should be to q man, unless be loved
me with his whole heart and soul alb
selutely, unfeignedly. completely. You
don't | don't even think that love
you now. You have been tried and
tested, and you have failed. Gentle
men, will you take him away?"
Il stay here" said the man, blunt
ly, drawing apart from the others,
"and I will kill with my own hands
the man who lays a finger upon me. {"
Sir" said the captain. "this land,
take it, is the United States. As the
ranking officer present, ! represent its
law. It is under my rule. AS to
your choice. have nothing to say,
but as far as regards other things, you
will have to obey me here as any
other citizen Of our country"
And know nothing of the United
States or its laws" answered the man.
proudly. Il am law unto myself"
The first lesson that the world
will teach you. sir" returned the cap
tain, pointedly. SIS that that position
cannot be maintained; that the whole
fabric Of civilization depends upon
concession by individuals Of natural
rights and upon the enforcement OF
these concessions by other individuals
to whom has been delegated that
power"
Il don't wish to learn it, and that IL
why win not leave this island" per
sisted the man.
It was the woman who interviewed.
She stepped close to the man and
laid her hand upon his arm,
you said that in some fashion you
loved me-" she urged.
in some fashion ! do" he replied.
1T grows late. Captain, can your
ship lie by the island until morning."
IF you wish. certainly" returned
the captain.
Very well. Man, will you then 20
aboard the ship with these gentlemen
and leave me alone here for the
night2"
alone, madaml" exclaimed the cap
tain.
Certainly. sir" returned the WON
an. There is not 2 harmful thing
upon the island. You can come back
in the morning and we will discuss
then what is best to be done. Really,
gentlemen" she went on, with Z pite-
Gus tremble Of her lip. for one NO
ment losing her control, Il have been
tried beyond the strength Of woman
to-day. If can have a quiet rest, II
in the morning"
THAT is reasonable" said the sur
geon. The lady Is in no state for
this discussion, nor. indeed, are you,
sir" he continued. looking hard at
the man.
very we'll" said the captain. aCome,
Mr.. Charnock, you cannot refuse that
request; gentlemen. Madam. good
night"
He turned away. followed By the
others. Charnock for the moment hes
itated.
Il give you one more chance" whl1-
pered the woman In his ear. Il think
myself At for the wife OF any man. do
you think so7 DO you love met Do
you care for me as you aid last night.
Can you think OF me as all that Is
sweet and lovely and noble and pure.
and worthy Of any mans affection ?"
She bent closer toward him IN the
intensity Of her feelings. The words
rushed from her The man passed his
hand over his forehead.
Il can only say what I said before.
that love you SIN. that win marry
you. and that you ought 70 be-
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