The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-06-23
CHAPTER TX.
The Night Before the Weddin

CHAPTER TX.
The Night Before the Wedding,
He looked up into her face, MS
eyes all afire with the ar4or of his
love. With her by his side, all things
| with regard 10 others, but he no
more doubted Olive than he doubted
the sunlight She was beyond sus-
piccn and yet his very faith in her
made him fear that the coming day
could never fulfill his hopes.
Il am not fit that you should be
my wife" he said 81 know | al
not, and yet | would murder the
man who tried TO take you away
from me. Oh, am in earnest; /
would Why, you don't know what
you are to me. You are hope, faith,
motive power. heaven
He started up, and walked away
from her as though he were asham-
ed to stay by her side. But he
quickly came back.
oh, yes | hate professions II
faith" he went on. Il despise re-
penteLt sinners. ! would a thousand
times raher have to do with
good pronounced blackguard than
with your whining convert. And yeI
| know ! shall be a good fellow with
YOU as my wife. And | never break
promises. was never so mean as
that. Oh. yes, was whiskey-sodden
when ! knew you first, and | was
plaything to the habit; but since
that 5ay-you remember, Olive-lNe
never touched it. and l never will
10, never will
Olive Castlemaine was little
frightend at the intesity of his
words; nevertheless, she was proud
o: her power over her lover. What
woman would not be?
And yet | am removed from you,
Olive. | don't know why, but | feel
il You love me, don't you?'
For answer, she put her hand in
his. and looked steadily into his
eyes.
You know, Radford,' she sail
Yes" he said; yes, know; but
net as l love you. No, no, you could
not. There's not enough in me TO
love. You are the only woman in
the world TO me; could no more
marry another than | could rise from
the dead. Could you marry anotner
man."
"Of course not" said the girl; you
know | could not
Say that again. he said passion
ately, Say it again. Tell me that
whatever may happen-yes, repeat II
whatever may happen, you'll never
marry another
"Radford. what is the matter with
YOU" she cried. His face was as pale
as death and his eyes shone with
strange light.
Matter with me-" he cried. at is
our wedding day tomorrow; just think
of it. | am going 10 be at the church
early, and | am going to wait there
till noon, and then you will come,
and the minister will read the ma
riage service, and you will promise to
take me for better or worse, and you
will vow to keep me as long as we
both shall live. Yes, I've been reading
the marriage service. Ny God, the
wonder of it. That's why | am afraid.
If / lost you, | should sink into a
deeper hell than ever Dante saw in
his wild journeyings. No thrilling re-
gons of thick-ribbed ice no bottom
less pit full Ct fire and birthstone
could be as terrible as the hell to
which | should go If ! lest you.
That is what is the matte with me.
And you promise me, doIt YOU?
Whatever may happen, you'll never
marry another man.
NE" she said, Il will never
marry another man.
You could not. could you?' he
said. almost plaintively.
No" she replied, 81 could not
And to you promise is sacred.
isn't it? You are not like other
women, to whom a promise is no
more than a garment which is out
of the fashion
"Of course. a promise is sacred to
me-" she replied.
He looked at her with fierce, de-
vouring eyes. He tried to read he:
very soul.
Look at me- he said
She Looked at him, and their eyes
met, his burning with the light of
his passion, yet steady with the
strength of the man behind them
hers steady too, and fervent with
the love and admiration which fill
ed her heart.
Say it again"
Say what again?'
Say you will never marry anoth-