The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-08

a purposeless man to devote his life to some gross and worthy cause, so really and truly as the love of wo- man whom he knows to be worthy of the name of woman? If there is, I do not know of it. If the old, old story that sin came upon the race by a woman is true, it is more that good women are Gods greatest means of purifying the world of it's sin. Radford Leicester had not been a good man. If he had not fallen as low as some, it was because of innate pride, and because his nature coarser forms of sin. He had not been filled with high purposes, he had lived wholly for self; but as he kissed Olives hand, such contribu- tion, such shame as he had never known before came into his heart. Proud man as he was. he found him. self saying what he would have laughed to scorn a few months be- fore.
 Thank you, Olive," he said, still holding her hand, you have given me new life to live" He hesitated a moment, and then went on speak ing again. "I want to tell you this, !" of you, I will try and make myself worthy. That promise I made yes terday I will keep. Yes. I will keep it. And if there is a God, will find him.
 He spoke the words reverently. There was not touch of the cynic in his voice, it was even as he felt. God had used this woman to lead him the first step towards his saliva ton.
 ''You have no doubt, no fear. Olive 2" he said.
 "No." she said quietly, mot one. I believe you. I trust you implicitly. 9
 And you love me?"
 "Yes," she said.
 IsC01Ay 01o VI h1ys LOo hIOW w what mean?" He spoke quietly and slowly, but his voice trembled.
 Flow could say what have said -else ?" There was sob in her voice as she spoke, and yet the sob sounded like a laugh.
 Thank God"
 He did not believe, this man, that God existed, and yet it was the only way that he could express the great joy of his heart. Never, until then, had he known what happiness meant. The old, hopeless, purposeless past vas forgotten; that night his history began anew
 After dinner that night, John Cas- tlemaine and Radford Leicester talk ed long and earnestly. It was no light matter to the father to promise his child in marriage; moreover, al- though he admired Leicester, and while he believed that a great career was possible to him, he did not feel quite happy. For John Castlemaine belonged to the old school of thought, and he took no sympathy with the modern looseness of ideas. He came of a stock who for more than a hun dred years had fought the battle of religious liberty, and who had been ready to sacrifice their goods, even their lives, for principle. He was a Puritan of the best order He re- tained all their strong characteristics he stood for their noblest ideals, without adhering to much that was sunless and repugnant He was a happy. genial man, kind almost to went. but he was strong in his hatred of the so-called morals of that class to which Leicester was supposed to belong. Moreover, Olive was his only child. Upon her he had poured the wealth of his affection, and thus the thought of giving her to a man was no light matter. Could he then give Ter to Leicester? It was a hard struggle; but in the end Leicester won. He spoke to John Castlemaine freely and frankly, and he spoke with such fervor. such strength ot purpose. that in spite of all he had heard, John Castlemaine was con- vinced of the others worthiness.
 "But not yet" said the older man T cannot bear to lose her yet"
 "But why need we wait?" asked Leicester. we are neither of us children, and need her, MT. Castle. maine. She is all the world to me-
 'I say not yet because without her I shall be alone. Fancy me liv. ing in this great house without Olive It will become like a vault, an empty vault, and I do not know how I car bear it."
 T am free to live where you like, said the young man. 'I will build 2 house close by here if it is your will or I will buy one. I saw one for sale on my way here"
 ''Then why not live here?" asked John Castlemaine. The thought O, having his son-in-law always nea, him was pleasant.
 "If Olive is willing, I will gladI, consent" he replied, '.and in that case you will not insist on a long en gagement.