At Love's Cost - Page 150/342

Stafford was moved to his inmost heart, and for a moment, as he held

her within the embrace of his strong arms, he could not command his

voice sufficiently for speech. At last he murmured, his lips seeking

hers: "Ida! I swear that I will love you forever and forever!"

"But--but--if you break your vow, you promise that you will not come to

me--tell me? I shall know. Promise, ah, promise!"

"Will nothing less content you? Must I?" he said, almost desperate at

her persistence. "Then I promise, Ida!"