Part 35 (1/2)

CHAPTER XXVI

AT THE PARTING OF THE WAYS

Again the colony entered on a period of active and efficient industry.

Every man was at his post and did the work a.s.signed him.

Eight hours was fixed as a working day in all departments. The first acts of insubordination were promptly suppressed. The discipline of an army was strictly enforced--the guard-house and whipping-post were found sufficient.

No report except the most favourable had ever reached the outside world, and thousands of applicants in San Francisco were clamouring for admission. The new colony house with accommodation for two thousand had been completed, and another of like size was under way.

Wolf had urged Norman to admit a new colony at once and prepare for the third. But the difficulties of government and the fights within the Brotherhood had alarmed the young leader. He hesitated, and the big new building as yet remained empty.

As the day for the annual meeting of the a.s.sembly drew near, doubts of the future grew darker in the young regent's mind. He had the power, under the deed of gift, to prolong the experiment another year, holding the t.i.tle to the property for further experiment, or divide the profits between the members and reconvey the gift back to its donors, or by deed convey at once the whole property to the Brotherhood and end his trustees.h.i.+p.

Which should it be?

His faith in his fellow man had been shaken by the events of the past year, and yet the colony had succeeded. Its wealth was great and its prospects greater. With the perfect discipline recently inaugurated and wisely administered, no limit could be fixed to the productive power of such an organization.

That he should hesitate a moment after the achievements of the year was a stunning shock to Wolf. The moment he realized the import of the crisis, he at once appealed to Barbara.

”You alone can save us, child,” he urged. ”You must act at once. You promised to lead him captive in your train. You have failed for one reason only----”

”Yes, I know,” Barbara interrupted. ”I haven't tried. I confess it.”

”There is not a moment to lose,” Wolf urged. ”We are entering on the most wonderful development in the history of the human race. The only thing lacking for its triumphant achievement is faith and leaders.h.i.+p.

Secure from our young dreamer the t.i.tle to this island and you will achieve an immortal deed--you will not hesitate or fail?”

”No,” was the firm answer. ”I will not fail. I'm going with him to-day on a mountain climb. Just for fun, if for nothing else, I'll test my power.”

”You'll report to me the moment you return?” Wolf urged.

”Yes,” she answered, dreamily.

Norman found Barbara in a mood resistlessly charming. She seemed to have utterly forgotten that she was grown up or had ever been the herald of a revolutionary cause. She was a laughing girl of eighteen again, with the joy of youth sparkling in her eyes and laughter ringing in every accent of her voice.

Instantly the mood of the man reflected hers. He threw to the winds the cares and worries of the great adventure that had brought them together, and the island of Ventura became the enchanted isle of song and story.

”We shall be just two children to-day--shall we not?” she asked.

”Yes,” he responded gaily, ”two children who have run away from school, tired of books, with hearts hungry for the breath of the fields.”

For half an hour hill and dale rang with laughter as they ascended the path of the brook. They came to a wide expanse of still water. And Norman said with a bantering laugh:

”We leave the stream here and climb the hill to the left. I must wade and carry you across this place if you're not afraid?”

”Who's afraid?” she asked with scorn.

”All right.”