The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-06-19

speaking, the saving power of his
life. The destiny of this strong man
was in her hands. What might he
not do and be if he were inspired
by great hopes and lofty ambitions?
His name could ge a household word
in the land. Millions of struggling,
starving people would have cause
to bless his name. And she, she
could be the means used by God
whereby all that was best and no
blest in this man would be realized.
For she, like all who knew him,
felt the wondrous possibilities of
his life. 1t might seem like boasting
when he said that with her by his
side he could do anything, but she
felt sure it was true.
Besides. Leicester appealed to her
woman's pride Every woman longs
for strength, masterfulness in the
man she loves; she would rather be
mastered by a strong man. than be
master of weak man. At that
moment she forgot Leicester's Gym
icism, his professed scorn for all she
held most dear; she thought of
him as the man he could be.
Behind all that was unworthy, the
real man lay strong and brave. He
might become Cabinet Minister,
Prime Minister He had power which
could fit him even for this. The
sphere of such a mans influence
was simply boundless. He could up
lift the whole tone of the nation
And then, more than all he loved
her. This was not the sneering. un-
fathers house a few weeks before,
who took a pleasure in laughing at
could accuse him of lack of ear
nestness today. He had almost
frightened her by the intensity of
his appeal, the passion of his words.
And did she love him? If perfect
love casteth out fear she did not
love him. Nevertheless, no man had
ever appealed to her like this
man. Others had asked her for her
love, and she had refused them
without hesitation; but Leicester
was different If she refused him, it
would be after many questions. it
woul3 be with an aching heart.
And yet she was afraid. She want
ed to think, she wanted to examine
her own heart in loneliness and in
silence. Yes, and she wanted to
speak to her father. Was this a sign
that she did not really love hiln?
1t was difficult to say. Leicester
bad been spoken of in her hearing
as one who sneered at all things
which to her We're sacred, and it
was out of harmony with her whole
life's thought to link her life with
such a man. But there was another
side of the question. He loved her,
and the thought of his love made
her heart beat quickly and filled
her with a strange joy.
These thoughts passed through her
mind in a flash. Nay, perhaps she
did not think them at all. They
became a kind of consciousness to
her, series of impressions which
her being without mental
activity on her own part Moreover.
Leicester, by a kind of mutton,
divned what was irn her mind. For
these two natures were closely akin
although their training, outlook, and
of life were entirely diff
ferent. If he were a keen4brained,
masterful man, she was in her
degree his equal. She loved Strength
even as he rejoiced in it. Although
in many respects presenting a strong
contrast, Mother Nature had cast
them in a similar mold.
Meanwhile. Leicester was watch
ing her closely. He tried to read
her face as he would read an open
book, with what eagnerness we need
scarcely say. What had begun in
grim and almost repelling jest had
resulted in terrible earnestness. This
man loved with all the strength of
his nature.
Il want your answer he said at
length. And | must only have one
answer Oh, forgive me if | seem
rude, but / cannot help it. | know
that I have not spoken as | ought;
that is because have spoken as
| was compelled. | know how un-
worthy sm-yes, | am in dead
earnest. | know | am not worthy
to brush your boots; but | love you
with all the strength Of my life.
Tell me. Olive Castlemaine, that !