The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-02-11
FOURTEENTH 1NSTALLMENT
cELESTIA HEARS THE TRUTH.

The sound was not repeated. Grad
ually the professors snarled lips re'
laxed and closed over his teeth. But
for some time longer he stood listen
ing and trying TO see into the shadows.
Then he turned to Celestia and, after
moment of silent and greedy contem-
plation, spoke. 4
I'VE are going to be married" he
said 1--WE are about to enter the
church" And he followed suggestion
by suggestion. it is not quite clear why,
unless ne had in him a streak of that
quality which causes cat to play with
a mouse.
In Celestia's mind rose a shadowy
picture of an altar, of clergyman in
a white surplico, of candles that
burned in candelabra, Of an altar boy.
of "A great bell made of flowers. She
was standing facing the clergyman
and the altar, at the foot of the steps
which led to it.
Now she was being married. The
clergyman was asking her some long
solemn question. Now she was repeat
ing words after him. but only with her
lips.
81, Celestia, take"
Freddie the Ferret had never been
more puzzled in his life. He was not
very familiar with the marriage cere-
mony. but still he recognized the fact
that Professor Sulliter and Celestia.
standing little way from the log hut.
were going through something OF the
kind
Driven by n curiosity which over
mastered his fear Of Sulliter Freddie
Crept out of his hiding place and adj
vanced over a broad outcrOpping OF
granite on feet which made no sound
The mockcry OF a marriage service
over, Professor Stilliter no longer
made any effort at selfcontrol; he
seized her in his arms, and was him,
self seized by the collar and jerked
vigorously backward.
II was so sudden and so unexpected
that for moment Professor Sulliter's
heart stood still, and he almost died
OF fright. Then with kind of whin-
ing cry he tore himself loose and faced
about
Something bright and shining
flashed in the moonlight there was u
sound Of glass shiyered to atoms and
for the moment Professor SulIiter was
stone blind
lie gave a gruut Of rage and reached
into his wais,coat pocket for the case
which he supposed contained his one
remaining spare pair of glasses. AS
we know, the case was empty.
Unnamed by this horrible surprise,
the professor forgot his intended vic.
tim for moment and Freddie, seiz.ng
the golden opportunity made a des'
perate effort, capsizod the professor,
eluded the snatch which the latter
made at him. and won free.
Professor Sulliter rose slowly to
his feet. his face pale as with the an
ucipaulu of death So he stood mo-
ment. and then in a voice that shook,
he called 10 Celestia who had re.
mained standing in front OF the hut
Come here. Crlestia." he called.
She moved obedieutly toward him.
But the Ferret threw himself in her
way Some instinct told him that
these two people must be kept apart.
Celestia did her best 90 reach Su,liJer,
but Freddie prevented her by force.
lie threw his skinny arms around her
and dragged her slowly in an opposite
direction.
Sulliter did not repeat the order to
come" He merely called 70 her to
hurry" And obcdiently she hurried;
but in the direction which Freddie had
been forcing her TO take She had hur'
r.ed a hundred feet before Sulliter
realized his mistake he called TO her
10 stop. TO turn back. TO come 20 him,
and aiI these things she tried TO do,
but Freddie would not let her.
Professor Sdllter's commands TO
CJss-ia grew fainter and fainter un'
t.I at last they could no longer be
heard And now the moon had sailed