The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-06-14

| | hoped"
That | had been brought to the
stool of repentance, that l was
ashamed of my msdeeds, and that
/ was going to give up the game.
No, my friends, stand by what
said and what is mere | am going
to carry it through. | am not con-
verted to your professed belief in
the nobility of women, and as for
being ashamed-'bah, as though
cared for your copybook morality"
Neither of the men spoke in reply
They were almost afraid of the man.
He spoke quietly, and yet the
strange light in his eyes showed how
much moved he was.
And what is more, my dear Moody
and Sankey," he went on, III hide
none of my sentiments. I'll win this
woman unler no false colors. Why
should /? There is no need. What
did I say? Let women have their
selfish ambition gratified, and roth
ing else matters
Come now, Leicester, ycu know
it is not so. l should think your
visit to Mr.. Castlemaines would at
least have cause! you to drop that
rubbish"
He had by this time finished his
second glass of whiskey, and while
as on the former occasion it showed
no effects on his perfect articulation,
and while he spoke very quietly. it
doubtless made him say and do
what without its influence he would
never think of doing.
Il say, Purvis," he said, lying
back comfortably in his chair and
lighting a cigar, did hide my
sentiments at Mr. Castlemaine's? Did
pose as a moral reformer? And
what is more, did you spare me?
Did you not with great and loyal
friendship, give both Mr.. and Miss
Castlemaine your views concerning
me? Did you not tell Miss Castle
maine of my reputation at Oxford,
and Of my terrible opinions? Did
you not tell Mr.. Castlcmaine that
was an atheist. that | had laughed
at Christian morality, and that
was a hard drinker? Come now.
ieny it. if you can"
You know what you said to me-"
said Purvis, looking on the floor
like man ashamed.
"Of course, | did, my dear fell -w,
Don't look so miserable about it.
Well, did my worst, and you did
your worst Now look at that"
He threw letter to Puryis as he
spoke.
Am | 10 read ito"
Else why did l give it to you?"
Purvis opened the letter and read
it. 1t was an invitation to Mr.. Cas-
tlemaine's to dinner.
Are you going?" asked Purvis.
"Of course | am Do you think
am going to let such an opportunity
slip? Oh, you need not be afraid
to show it to Sprague. 1t is not
an invitation to a drawing room
meeting. it is only to a dinner"
We'll, that means nothing" said
Sprague.
NO? | think it proves my state
ments to the hilt, That invitation
would not have come from John
Castlemaine without his daughters
consent-perhaps it was at her in
stigation. And yet she knows that
| am-well-all you've described me
to be. | am an atheist, I've thrown
copybook morals overheard. | am a
hand drinker But what then? con
form to the conventions; no man
has ever seen me drunk; but more
than all that. | am mentioned as
one who is going to have a career
hence the invitation"
"An invitation to dinner means
nothing urged Sprague.
Hence the invitations, and hence
the future justification of my state
ments," he persisted. Coed night,
my friends, am sorry l cant stay
longer"
He walked out of the room quite
gaily. a casual passerLby, if he had
him, would at that moment have
thought of him as happy man.
And yet, although Sprague and
Purvis did not know it, Leicester
had entered the smoking room of the
club that night with a strong incli-
nation to refuse the invitation to
John Castlemaine's house. He had
been ashamed of making a woman
the subject of a wager, and more