The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-01-10

self? ruined her life; yes, grant
It, but yOn drove her to suicide. Why
have l not the right TO fault you even
as you seem to claim the right to fault
me? We have both sinned against
that woman, but at least in those final
hours did my best for her. Did you?"
Charnock hesitated. No one had
ever spoken to him like that. He had
said these things to himself many
times. but no one else had ever as
sumed or presumed to do SO. and had
anyone but this man Ventured upon
such words, he would have met with
short shrift indeed. But there was so
much justice and so much truth in
what LAngford said that, resentful
though he was, hating the man as he
did. he could not be blind to 1t.
You are right" he admitted at last
but with great reluctance. There is
more guilt on my soul than yours, but
no other man under heaven should
have told me So"
Nor should | have told 1t to any
other man." returned Langford.
But that doesn't explain why you
come here"
Why" exclaimed the other. Il
don't really know"
In that instant the tension under
which be held himself gave way. He
reeled slightly. put his hand to his
heart For the first time Charnock
noticed how white he was, how sick
and wretched he looked. Although he
could not bear to touch the man, there
was unconscious appeal in his weak
ness which the stronger man could not
resist, He sprung instantly to his
side. He caught him by the arm.
What's the matter?" he asked al
most roughly. you look i'll, weak, suf-
fering."
1T is nothing" answered Langford,
struggling manfully to control himself
and to fight back the ever Tightening
pain about his heart MY times
about up. II | could sit down some
where"
Here" cried Charnock.
He half led, half carried the man,
supporting him with his powerful arms,
to a seat on the terrace across which
the shadow Of the house fell in the
morning.
Thank yon," said Langford. Now,
he fumbled in his pocket and pulled
out a little phial with shaking fin.
gers, "if you will be kind enough to
open that and give me one Of these,
he gssped, Il am hardly up to it,"
Quickly, deity, Charnock took the
phial, opened It. placed one Of the
tablets IN the others hand and waited
anxiously. Above on the porch a ser
want appeared and him Charnock bade
bring water, wine, restoratiyes. Pres
emily Langford recovered himself. the
powerful medicine acted. the tearing
pain at his heart abated. II left him
fearfully weak and broken but his OWE
master.
We'll" be said with cynical bitter
ness, you see"
EYES," answered charnock graYely
Il see."
II am going In one Of those some
day and mighty soon now, and it il
because OF that that ! came to se'
you. I wanted to talk to you abou
her"
mo man speaks to me about her
But you can't refuse the dying, yoV
know. You can't 60 away and leav'
me here. You can't stop me by force
When am weak, I am strong" h
quoted almost sardonically,
II shall not leave you" said Char
mock. you are paying for what yol
did. Ny God. could envy you you
going. Do you think life is sweet AM
pleasant to me with the memory o
what did rankling?"
mo, ] suppose not" said Langford
but / didn't really come so much L
talk about her a. to talk about you.
81 can't conceive that am a prope
subject for your conversation"
He said Il firmly but not unkindly
Langford was too pitiable a spectacl
for that. -.--eF
ITS about your project went o.
the other, "Will you tell me abou
itfa
Haven't you read the paperss"
yes, but l want to hear from you
own lips what you propose to do.
am a business man accustomed t
large affairs. want to hear with N
own ears all about IT."
g Charnock hesitated. After all. VIII
not. Standing before the other, b
outlined all his plAns Rapidly, dri
matieaIly, conciseIy, he builded befor
the others eyes the castle Of hi
dreams.
at is to be for her, a memorial
her. you See, SO that her name sha
Be Remembered and prayers and bles
ihgs called dowR VpqH' her head b
generations yet unborn
1T is a practicable scheme" sal
Langford, sand q great one. Whe hs
it In chargef"
Men you know answered Cha
nock, rapidly naming them,
eFhey can make II so If anybod
can. ! congratulate you upon 1t.
Ia a great idea. As usual" he laughe
bitterly, you have got ahead Of N
While you have been working and II
ing these two years. have been idlir
and dying. But can make son
amends at least You will see pre-
entity. Now ] must 60"
He rose unsteadily to his feet.
"Wait!" said Charnock. II new,
thought to do this. never thought
speak to youP again, But you can't
now. Fou are ln no state TO tray
even in an automobile. You mu
come to the house until you recov
yourself. get rest ever night. let U
send for q physician. don't met
that there can be friendship betwe'
Us. There is too much In the pc
. that keeps as apart. have never ;
fore been glad that didn't break y
when held you in my arms upon q
could do to undo 1t. She forgave q
e6u. 1 can DO IT, Maybe BY that G.
lQrn some forgiveness myself. '
sisFs both fools and you were kpa'
but you Keys man at last / wasl
Stay here. won't disturb you"
by heavens" said Langford, nu
ing, you are man now. No, ! wo
stay. but / thank you fQF your On
and l will nav you for IT,
charuoek put up his hand
Z want nj pay"