The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-06-26

I lOlF hAFi'4% 'l'' NpOl NAOocu III Hlo
| face
However much truth there may
be in what you say" he said, speak
| ing still quietly, Il think the right
of explanation is due me. Nay more,
think | might have been allowed
70 answer whatever charges were
made against me before-before the
church caretaker had his orders"
Il could not see how any man
could desire to make explanations
said John Castlemaine. Personally,
| think | should have thought less
badly of you If shame had kept you
away. The information l have re-
ceived was 80 exact, so convincing,
so we'll authenticated, that there was
no room for doubt Your whole be.
hayior, your every visit has been an
insult to my daughter"
Insult"
Insult. | can use no milder term.
Still, you mention explanation. If
gave you no chance TO make it be-
fore annulling arrangements, l give
it now. Much against my will. it is
true; but | give it,"
The words gave Leicester a ray Of
light. If this interview was against
Mr. Castlemaine's will, then Olive
must have influenced him. He turn
Ell towards her eagerly.
You at least will hear me- he
said; you will understand what
your father cannot"
Il think | told you to address your
remarks to me- said John Castle
maine co!dly; my daughter wishes
no further intercourse with you
During their conversation Olive
had remained standing by the fire
place, her face rigid, her eyes fixed
on the window Nevertheless, it was
evident she had heard all that was
said. AT her fathers words she
aroused herself and said:
mo, let him say what he will;
it will be interesting"
Leicester felt the scorn of her
words. At that moment he felt that
she regarded him as a creature be-
meath contempt. Still, he was fight.
ing for life, nay more than life.
Il will admit" he said. that ap-
pearances are against me" Here he
hesitated like man who cannot
find words to express his thoughts.
He looked around almost helplessly,
but only silence followed his words,
who gave you this-this infor-
mation?" he demanded.
That is no concern of yours or
mine at present" she replied, see
ing you cannot deny the truth of
what my father has repeated"
"There-are eXtenuating circum-
stances" he stammered.
Yes, l suppose there were" she
said coldly You were drunk: at
least, l suppose that is the extenu-
ating circumstance to which you re-
| fer. While you We're in this cOndi-
tion you said that all women We're
base, and without honor. You said
they could be all bought for a
price. 1t seems that my price was
the position which you could offer
me. Satisfy my ambition, and then
would consent to be the wife of
any man who might choose to ask
me"
Never until then did he realize the
meaning of what he had done. Even
In the hours when he had regretted
his wager most, he never felt it's
purport as he felt it then Her
words burnt him like hot iron, but
he still spoke quietly.
You put the case unfairly" he
said; 1T has never occurred to me
in that light
Then give it your own version" ."
she said; as | said it will be inter
esting."
He tried to speak. but could not
He tried TO think of some means
whereby he could put the whole
sordid business in a more favorable
light, but his tongue refused to obey
his will Nothing but the horrible
naked truth as she had put it ap-
peared TO him.
She looked up at him scornfully
''You do not answer, she went
Oh in the same quiet, bitter tones.
You admit then, that l was the
subject of a wager. the wager being
that you could satisfy my ambition.
and that therefore | could be won as
your wife OF course l feel greatly
-honored. Who would not? I believe
that l was suggested by this other