The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-07-26

stranger"
81 am afraid l have not thought
much about it," replied Olive.
Still. now that have been re-
ceived so kindly | think | ought to
explain. While l was in London
| met a man. had affairs with him.
named-let me think, yes. Winfield.
| grew tired of Lonion. and he told
me of this place. and of you. He
described the work you had done
here, and your gracious influence in
the village and neighborhood His
story appealed to me. | longed to
see this beautiful Vale Linden, and
being lonely man without ties
well, that is all think, signorina.
But now | am here, | want to say
for time at least. | recognize the
fact that | can no longer benefit by
your boundess charity to the needy
and"
Surely, Signor Ricordo. there is
no need for yon to leave The Home
stead"
Yes there is. | could not stay
there, when-well, many who may
ncei your kindness are waiting for
admission. But the place has come
to have charm fo- me, signorina.
The quiet restfulness. the rustic
beauty, the pure air--the associations
have conquered me. | have wonder.
ed whether it would be possible for
you to have me as a tenant. "A neigh.
bor. There Is delightful house
which | am told was occupied by the
steward of the late owner, and which
is now empty. l would either buy
or rent it. Would it be possible.
signorina?"
That is scarcely matter which
falls within my province" replied
Olive. my father manages the es.
tate. Since he has partially retired
avn" ""Si'iCSo' ~ 10 HIS great nODDS.
Pardon me, signorina. everything
depends on you"
"On me?"
Yes. In this way. could not
think of remaining here unless the
thought of it were pleasing to you. I
am a lonely man, signorina, a man
whose friends have either died or dis
appeared, and the thought of living
IN the same neighborhood as your.
Selt brings JOY to me; but ! would
hof do 50 unless the scheme had
your appreciation"
They had by this time come TO
/ the road which led down the hill
! towards Vale Linden. and Olive was
turning towards it, when Ricordo
put out his hands as if to stop her.
Pardon me-" he said. there is
another path to Vale Linden. 1t is
little longer; it leads over the
moors, and it is very beautiful. May
! plead with you to take the longer
road?"
Almost without demur, she consent.
ed. Although she did not realize it,
the man had again exercised kind
ot fascination over her. For the mo.
ment his will became hers. As for
the man, he too seemed more than
ordinarily interested. There was
tone of pleading and of intensity in
his voice which she had never heard
before. He was revealing himself
in new light.
Thank you," he said. as they
walked along the moorland path; ~
almost hope that your consent to
take the longer path augurs well for
. nv plan. For your English life
signorina. Yes, who have known
the east with its mystery, its great
silent spaces, and its wonderous life,
confess it. 1t has taught me the
meaning of your English word
home" And have never known it
in practice, signorina, never"
Still, l should think your life IN
the east must be very fascinating?"
4 strange expression flashed
across his face. but the smile on his
lips was hidden by his thick mus.
tache.
Fascinating, great Allah, yes. |
snculd like to tell you of Il some
time, signorina-the story of my life.
1. would interest you; yes, prom
ise you that it would interest you.
II would take long time. | am
afraid, but you would listen, yes, you
would listen to the very end "
He SPOKE quietly. but there was an
intensity in MS tone. and as he spoke
Olives heart began to beat more
rapidly. Again she was reminded OF