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Show ur Cyrus Townsend y y Brady JLlMSTMTlOflSeY IWJvafnotsr vu CHifa ctmMtrm iaftJ utuu SYNOPSIS. A young woman 'cast ashore on a lonely island, finds a solitary inhabitant, a young white man, dressed like a savage and unable to speak in any known language. She decides to educate him and mold his mind to her own ideals. She finds evidence that leads her to believe that the man is John Hevell Charnock o Virginia, and that he was cast ashore when a child. Katharine Brenton was a highly specialized product of a leading probuniversity. Her writings on the sex son of lem attracted wide attention. The a becomes infatuated thewith her and they decide to put her ories into practice. A few days on his yacht reveals to her that he only professed lofty ideals to possess her. While drunk he attempts to kiss her. She knocks him down and leaves him unconscious and escapes in the darkness in a launch. During a storm she Is gasoline cast ashore on an island. Three years' teaching gives the man a splendid education. Their love for each other is revealed when he rescues her from a cave where she had been Imprisoned by an earthquake. A ship is sighted and they light a beacon to summon it. Langford on his his yacht, sights the beacon and orders the yacht put in. The woman recognizesa man and tells her companion that yacht on board had injured her in the greatest way. Langford recognizes Katharine. He tells the man that she had been his mistress and narrowly escapes being killed. Officers An American cruiser appears. hear the whole story and Langford asks Katharine to marry him. Katharine declares that she will marry no one but her island companion. The latter says he still loves her but that the revelations have made a change. Katharine declares her intention of remaining alone on the island, Charnock had failed when the test saying came. Repentance comes to Charnock after a night of bitter reflection. He swims ashore from the cruiser to ask forgiveness and is found unconscious beside Katharines clothes, by the officers. Katharine is given op for dead. Iangford returns to the island and surprises Katharine. She refuses to leave with him and exacts a promise that he will not reveal the fact that she is alive. Charnock As adopted by his uncle in Virginia. multi-millionai- re CHAPTER XXIII. , Continued. me? We have both sinned against1 that woman, but at least In those final hours I 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 assumed 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 it. 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 I have told It to any other man, returned Langford. But that doesnt explain why you come here. exclaimed the other. I Why! dont really know. In that instant the tension under which he 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 fee looked. Although he could not bear to touch the man, there was unconscious appeal In his weakness which the stronger man could not resist. He sprung Instantly to his side. He caught him by the arm. Whats the matter? he asked almost roughly. You look ill, weak, suffering. It Is nothing, answered Langford, struggling manfully to control himself and to fight back the ever tightening pain about his heart My times about up. If I 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 you, said Langford. Now," he fumbled In his pocket and pulled out a little phial with shaking fingers, if you will be kind enough to open that and give me one of these, he gasped, I am hardly up to It. Quickly, deftly, Charnock took the phial, opened it, placed one of the tablets in the other's hand and waited anxiously. Above on the porch a servant appeared and him Charnock bade bring water, wine, restoratives. Presently Langford recovered himself, the powerful medicine acted, the tearing pain at his heart abated. If left him fearfully weak and broken but his own Which was the stronger, his love for the woman or his hatred for the man? If he spoke at all, it would be for her sake, naught else. Would the man understand that, would she? Whatever happened, he had possessed her; she had been his for brief hours. Did he have the strength now to give her to someone else even though he were dead? Being dead, would he know? The struggle racked and tore him in his heart. He could come to no decision, at least not then. What he would do later would depend upon circumstances. One thing he could do and that was to go and find the man. Attending to such matters as were most pressing and taking the precaution to make his will, a strange will, master. Well, he said with cynical bitterat which his attorney ventured to remonstrate unavailingly, at last he ness, you see. Yes, answered Charnock gravely, started on that journey across the continent in his private car. He left the I see. car at Suffolk, Virginia, and with a motor which had been transported with him he ran up the west side of the inlet until he came to the manor house which a local guide, picked up by the way, pointed out to him. CHAPTER XXIV. A Promise Broken. It was that same late spring morn- ing when John Charnock sat on the porch overlooking the pale waters of Hampton Roads past Newport News and Old Point Comfort and the blue waters of the Chesapeake and the bluer ocean beyond. The motor car was stopped outside the great gate at the end of the long avenue of trees which led to the river road. It could have been driven in, but as he approached the house more nearly with his mind still in a state of indecision, in order further to collect his thoughts and because he was tired from the long ride and because he would not trespass on Charnock more than was absolutely necessary, Langford decided to walk. Now the sight of a motor car was not unusual and Charnock glanced at it indifferently enough until it stopped at the gate. He did not recognize the tall, slender figure which came slowly up the path by the side of the drive under the great arch of trees. Still as the man drew nearer, he arose and with true Virginia hospitality, a hospitality he had easily learned since It was in his blood, he descended the steps to the terrace and would have descended farther to the roadway but that he suddenly recognized the visitor. He stopped dead still, surprised, amazed. Langford started, hesitated, threw hack his head and came resolutely on. He mounted the first flight of steps and as he did so, Charnock turned, drew back a little to make way for him and the two men faced each other upon the terrace. Great God! cried the Virginian, at last, you of all men. What are you doing here? His brow was dark, his hands clenched. Why not I?" answered Langford coolly, a bitter smile on his lips. You say that to me after all that you have done? .Man, said the other, didn't I do everything under heaven that man could do to undo it. She forgave me, can't you?" No! answered Charnock, moving toward him Is your cried Langford. Stop! Have you' own record so clear? nothing with which to reproach yourself? I ruined her life; yes, I grant it, bpt you drove her to suicide. Why 'have 1 not the right to fault you even as you seem to claim the right to fault I am going In one of those some day and mighty soon now, and it Is because of that that I came to see you. I wanted to talk to you about her. No man speaks to me about her. But you capt refuse the dying, you know. You cant go away and leave me here. You cant stop me by force. he When I am weak, I am strong, quoted almost sardonically. I shall not leave you, said CharYou are paying for what you nock. did. My God, I could envy you your going. Do you think life is sweet and pleasant to me with the memory oj. what I did rankling? No, I suppose not, said Langford, but I didnt really come so much to talk about her as to talk about you. I cant conceive that I am a proper subject for your conversation. He said it firmly but not unkindly. Langford was too pitiable a spectacle for that. Its The Struggle Racked and you, I can do it. Maybe by that I can earn some forgiveness myself. We were both fools and you were knave, but you were man at last. I wasnt. Stay here. I w.ont disturb you." By heaven! said Langford, flushing, you are man now. No, I wont stay, but I thank you for your offer, and I will pay you for It. Charnock put up his hand. I want no pay. Nevertheless, you shall have It," insisted the other. I will give you a word of advice, although to do it damns me! He paused, laid his hand upon his heart again, clenched the clothing about his breast ad If he would fain tear it off. He was white once more, the sudden flush had gone, but his lips were set determinedly. Listen well to what I tell you, he I break my word to do said slowly. it I am false to my oath In what I say. Nevertheless I say It. Go back to the Island! What? cried Charnock. Dont you hear me? asked the man. Intense bitterness In his voice. Now that he had made the plunge, he realized more keenly than ever what It meant to him even In the very articles of death to think of Charnock and the woman. Do I have to say it again? he went on. Go back to the island. His voice rose until he almost cried the five words In Charnock's face. The Virginian stood absolutely appalled. Langford looked at him a moment, laughed bitterly, turned, and went slowly down the steps. More than ever he hated him. In one bound Charnock was by his side. You have said too much or too little, he cried, laying his hand upon the other. What do you mean? Why should I go back to the island? Is she there? about your project, went on In his agitation, he even shook the Will you tell me about the other. frailer, slighter, feebler form of the it? man who had just uttered those Haven't you read the papers? words. Yes, hut I want to hear from your Unless, said Langford coolly, you I to do. what own lips you propose want me to die on your threshold, you am a business man accustomed to would better take off your hand. The large affairs. I want to hear with my doctors told me that the least physical own ears all about it. violence or exertion would be fatal Charnock hesitated. After all, why to me. not. Standing before the other, he Releasing him, Charnock spoke outlined all his plans. Rapidly, dra- again. matically, concisely, he builded before But won't you tell me what you the others eyes the castle of his mean? Great God, man, think what dreams. your words convey? It Is to be for her, a memorial to I will tell you nothing, nothing her, you see, so that her name shall further. This is my last will and testbe remembered and prayers and bless- ament to you. Though I die here, I ings called down upon her head by have nothing further to say to you than this: Go back to the island. generations yet unborn. It is a practicable scheme, said Damn you!" He turned away again and went Langford, and a great one. Who has it in charge? down the steps leaving Charnock Char- standing staring after him. He reeled Men you know, answered nock, rapidly naming them. slightly as he went, but he caught They can make it go If anybody himself and marched on with as great can. I congratulate you upon it. It a resolution as ever any soldier maniis a great idea. As usual, he laughed fested in the point of danger. He had bitterly, you have got ahead of me. displayed weakness once in the presWhile you have been working and liv- ence of his enemy. He would not do ing these two years, I have been idling it again. And while Charnock stared and dying. But I can make some at him, he stepped out through the amends at least. You will see pres- gate from under the trees, entered the ently. Now I must go. big car and was whirled away. He rose unsteadily to his feet. Left to himself Charnock sat down I never upon the bench and said Charnock. Wait! pressed his head thought to do this. I never thought to in his hands, his thoughts in a wild speak to you again. But you can't go whirl. Go back to the island! Why now. You are in no state to travel had he said that? Who was there? You must Did some fantastic even in an automobile. spirit of revenge come to the house until you recover send him half way round the world on yourself, get a rest over night, let me some fools errand? Hatred spoke in send for a physician. I don't mean the man's voice. He had coupled his that there can be friendship between injunction with a curse which was us. There is too much in the past sufficient attest to the bitterness of his that keeps us apart. I have never be- feelings. And yet truth spoke there, fore been glad that I didnt break you too. Go back to the island! What w hen I held you in my arms upon the could it mean? could do to undo it. She forgave me, A long time he sat resolving in his of the island where she had laboriously builded another pyre for another beacon. Morning and evening with unvarying routine she had scanned the horizon, this time with an excellent glass that Langford had left her. Not once had she sighted a ship. He never came; no one ever came. Hope gradually died away In her heart One evening she climbed wearily to Lights here! he cried. He made the top of the hill and listlessly swept such rapid examination as he could, the horizon, the bare, vacant, un- seeing in a moment one foot lying inbroken horizon, which she had sur- ert, out of place, and helpless. Shes veyed morning and evening all these only fainted, he said. It's her ankle. years. She expected nothing, but sud- Shes broken it In the darkness comdenly there sprang Into the object ing to meet us. We will take her to glass of the telescope a dark blur the ship. No," said the man, she must come which she had never seen before. Her hand trembled so that she almost of her own free will. Send to the ship redropped the glass. She strove to pick for bandages and whatever you up that object again and could not do quire. Very well," said the surgeon, rising it In her nervous agitation. Finally she lay down upon the hill and rested and conferring hastily with Mr. Whit"Meanwhile, your handkerher arms upon a little rise of ground, taker. and thus steadying the glass, managed chiefs, gentlemen, and some cold to find It once more. It could be noth- water. There Is a spring hereabouts, said ing but the smoke of a ship! the man, on the other side of the a of means She had striking light which Langford had left her, which hill. I will fetch the water," said the methodically and mechanically she alchaplain. when with she her ways brought He was wearing a tightly woven climbed up the crest of the hill to seek for a sail. She lifted the matches and straw hat in which be could easily J It. approached the beacon. She remem- carry Mr. Whittaker turned and ran to the bered how once before she had lighted that beacon; she remembered how he beach whence he sent the boat off to had pleaded with her not to do so, the ship. The surgeon meanwhile had how in doing it she had brought the bound up the womans ankle, and world upon her with such terrible con- bathed It with water and whisky, and sequences to her. Should she do it had forced some of the spirits down the woman's throat, but the mans again? What would happen if she did? She laid the matches down and lifted touch, his presence, would have sufthe glass once more. Yes, the ship ficed to call her back to life. Do you suffer? he asked tenderly was still there. She was so far away indeed that the short time which had as consciousness returned to her. Not since you are here," she said. elapsed would have made no change In I ran to meet the ship and fell and her apparent position. She looked back to the westward. hurt my ankle. The doctor has fixed It up for you. The sun was setting. There would be Tore Him in Hie Heart. no twilight. Darkness would come We have sent to the ship for bandswiftly. If she did not light that bea- ages. mind his course, although he knew con Man, she said, whose ship is It? would pass in the night. what It would be from the very mo- If shethedidship "Mine. would darkness the it, light ment that the words had fallen from "Did you see my signal? lend force and efficiency to It. No Yes, and we were glad because it Langford's lips. He must go back, if ship would disregard such a light in for no other reason than to settle the told us that you were alive, but we do It? she Should a such quarter. were coming directly here. doubt, to answer the question, to satIn one swift moment her resolution And did you come for me?" isfy the wild clamor of his soul, to kill was the She taken. glass, dropped the hope that flashed Into his breast For you only. which matches turned to the box of at the other's words. How did you know that I was His reverie was Interrupted by the she had hoarded for this veryofpurpose, here? one struck them, I didnt know it. arrival of a strange negro. Langford knelt down, bluel flame develop and had stopped at a vilbge tavern, it ap- watched the Why did you come then? out in the stall air, paused for a I was sent here." peared, where he had procured writ- swell to the buched moment light hesitant, Who sent you." ing materials. He hat paid the boy m ss of dead wood at Langford. liberally to bring th lote to Char- the Inflammable Did he tell you I was here? nock. The envelopewas sealed. Be- the base of the p le. As the flames cackled up through No, he tol me tg go back to the neath his name was written these tie wood, roaring; and catching,' the Island, that was all. words: As you are a gentlsman and re- sun sank and the darkness fell. Her "Nothing more? He gave me a letter which I was spect the request of a uead man, you last act ere the curtain of night shut will not open the envelope until you her in had been to fix her glass upon to open when I set foot upon It" the faint blur of smoke. Now she could stand upon the Island. Open It now," said the woman. She had risen to a sitting position. Never was there such a prohibition. see nothing. It was a moonless night, Never was there such a consuming but bright with stars. She moved He knelt beside her, his arm around desire In the mans heart to defy away from the fire and sat down as her supporting her. He carried the it and disregard it. Yet that vague, she had sat before, sheltered by the letter in his pocket. He had slipped it Intangible thing we call honor, backed peak, to watch the sea. Now that she there as he started for the shore. He by a flimsy bit of paper and paste, had done what she had sworn not to took it out and handed it to her. You may open it, he said. held Charnock with fetters of steel. do, she was eager for the success of With trembling fingers she tore the The envelope decided him. He rose her attempt. so she waited wondering envelope. Inside there was nothing And to his feet, entered the house, sent for his uncle, told him the story and bade through long hours while the flames for him, but a smaller envelope adhim get ready to start for San Fran- exhausted themselves and by and by dressed to her. The chaplain held cisco that night. Whittaker and the fell to a heap of glowing ashes. Sud- the light close to enable them to see. It is for me, she said, "not for chaplain, summoned temporarily from denly there leaped out through the the great undertaking, joined them at darkness a distant twinkle of light. It you. said Charnock gravely, sti"Yes, Washington, and the little party went was too low for a star. Feeling for rushing westward in a private car on the telescope, she found it and with fling a spasm of jealousy in his heart. "You may open It. a special train as fast as steam and difficulty focused it on the tiny spark. Not I," returned the man touched steel could take them. And yet to It was a red light, the light of a ship! the heart of the man their progress The vessel had seen the signal. It was by this confidence. It Is for you. Without more ado she tore the secwas so slow that every hour he be- nearer, much nearer now. She knew came more frantic with impatience. about how far such a light could be ond envelope. A little slip of paper Back in the little village inn by the seen. The ship was coming toward fell from It. His message was astonroadway Langford, alone, lay dying. her. She almost fainted from the re- ishingly brief. While Charnock resoA strange lawyer wrote a few letters vulsion of feeling from hope to cerlutely averted his head, she read these words: for him confirming a will made In San tainty, from anxiety to assurance. I broke my word once to your sorFrancisco leaving ever dollar he posIt was close at hand now. She must sessed to Charnock's great undertak- go down to the beach to meet it. She row; I break It again to your joy. ing on condition that his name be not rose to her feet and started down the Wont you try to remember now that mentioned in it and that those who hill. She went slowly, cautiously at I am gone that-- I tried to make amends cared for him might regard it as the first, but finally she broke into a and that I gave him back to you? She glanced at the paper and then end of a great expiation. And so reckless run. She strayed from the unto by a strange clergyman, path In her excitement, her foot caught she read the simple words aloud. Charnock understood vaguely that he passes out of sight, having made in a projecting root. A sharp, excruwhat amendment he could. He loved ciating pain shot through her. Some- In some way Langford had known that much in the end, surely in the end thing seemed to break in her ankle. the woman was alive how he could much would be forgiven him! Poor She pitched forward on her face and ascertain later and that Bhe had made him promise not to tell; that Langford! lay still. When she came to her senses light he had broken his promise and died. I don't understand the last words, was shining in her eyes. Men stood CHAPTER XXV. about her holding ships lanterns. said the woman. Some one bent over her as some one They are his last words, 1 take it, United. liow awful had been those two years had bent over her five years before answered the man. "He looked like a upon that island! They would have when she lay senseless on the sand. dead man when he came to me at my been completely insupportable had It A voice she knew called to her; arms house in Virginia and told me to go to not been for the forethought and kind- to whose touch she thrilled gathered the island. Poor Langford, said the woman. ness of Langford. The books were not her up; she felt a heart beat against such as she would have chosen, but her own. He had come back. He was May God have mercy on him! added the chaplain, solemnly. lie they were books, at any rate, and she there. Do you forgive knew them by heart. Of the cloth Woman, said the man, I have knew the story, too. him, my child? asked the old man as that he had left, she had fashioned for come back to you. herself such simple garments as were Man," returned the woman, oblivi- he, too, turned away to leave these suitable to her situation, rejoicing that ous of those who stood around, hold- two alone. "With all my heart, answered the she was no longer compelled to wear ing the lights, to whom she gave no the rough, coarse, chafing grass tunics single thought indeed they were woman. And do you forgive me? asked of the past. Man, she those who knew her well The greatest blessing, however, of asked, true to her resolution, do you Charnock softly. With all my heart, again anall that had been left to her was the love me a3 much as on that night? swered the woman, but with a change More, a thousand times! writing paper, the note books and in the intonation that made all the difAnd do you think me worthy ? pencils. They had given her occupaDo not ask! It is I who am un- ference in the world between the two tion after all other things had failed statements. her, for she had written down the worthy of you. She turned her face toward him, I can die now, said the woman story of her life. Not imagining that they would ever be seen by human softly, lasping into unconsciousness reaching her arms up to his neck, forgetting the pain in her foot in the eyes, she had poured her whole soul agairf. out on the pages. Every incident had Great, God! cried the man, strain- long kiss he pressed upon her upbeen gone over. Not Rousseau him- ing her to his breast again, have I turned lips while he held her close there in that still and starry night on self had been franker in his "Confes- found her only to lose her! Let me look, said the surgeon, that gemlike island of regeneration ia sions, but here was only sweetness and light. She had restricted her whom by good chance they had picked the far Pacific sea. THE END. She didn't writing to a certain number of mo- up at San Francisco. ments daily in order to prolong the look like a dying woman a moment occupation as much as possible, and since. Lay her down, man, and stand Joy. Some people get married merely for she had carefully considered every- back. Whittaker and the chaplain pulled the purpose of having a good time for thing ere she put it down. Twice daily she had gone to the Charnock aside. The surgeon took his three or four weeks before the heaven-kissinhill high in the center place by the prostrate figure. i min-instere- d |