The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-27

. nave kept my eyes open uuAA SA1SSS lest ten years, that's all. You talk kDout my religious views and my re- ligious ideas on marriage, and what you call my cynicism generally. But let the best of women believe that man will give them a position they rovet and then he can believe what he likes and do what he likes. No, my dear pious friends,you needn't fear either about me or my future as long as you believe in your views about what are called my abilities
 "Thats a libel on woman," said Eprague.
 ''Pm willing to put my views to a test" replied Leicester.
 "what do you mean?"
 My language is pretty plain." re- piled Leicester.
 Each of the other men felt the in- euence of Leicester's stronger per sonality, and each of them resented 1t at the same time. They felt most angry that the man whom they had been plying as drunkard should so roolly hold them at bay"
 Tt is poor thing to say you'll put Four views to the test, when you know it cannot be done," remarked Eprague.
 Look here, my dear, exemplary Friends, who are so anxious for my moral reclamation" said Leicester in his quiet mocking tone, 'rve made a etatement. and I'll stand by it. I'm hot a marrying man. as you know; Btill am willing to sacrifice my feel lngs for the good of my fellows. So. Then, pick out your most pious and kigh- -principled young woman; Sum- hhay-school teacher preferred, warrant Id to be sound in doctrine, and having a proper horror of men like myself. Ehoose her carefully. and I am pre- pared to prove my words"
 of she'll have you.'
 That's the point. maintain that neither orthodoxy of life nor conduct weigh with women as long hs the suitor has the qualifications ] have mentioned. Now it is believed, rightly or wrongly, that Lam going Ito have what is commonly called a brilliant career. Well, choose your most pattern young woman-she must be what is called lady, of course, and I must stipulate that she hs passably good-looking, and is not penniless.'
 And then?"
 N 1T am prepared to put my views to hhe test. Of course, model young men like you would not, think of a mager; but if I don't succeed well. HI give hundred pounds to any Religious cause you like to mention
 The mans eyes flashed with a new light. The plan he had sketched seemed to amuse and excite him.
 "It's all nonsense" said Sprague. ss Test it, laughed Leicester.
 He had apparently imbued the oth- CTS with his own spirit. For the mo- ment they were eager to see what would happen
 Name your woman," said Leices- ter What are you afraid? Will you not support your doctrine of the mobility of women? I give it as my opinion that women are uniformly selfish, vain, and sordid. I maintain that what they want is 9. man who will give them position, name, and prominence. Given that, and every thing goes by the board. And I stand by it. I place a hundred pounds up pn it. All ask you to do is to name your woman"
 There was a wild glean in his eye and he was evidently prepared to stand by his words. As for the oth- lers. they yielded more and more tc his stronger personality.
 "No," said Sprague presently, "ft 6sn't fair. If either of us had a sis ter we would not like to make he1 the subject of such a proposition"
 But if you are right, my dear good friends" went on Leicester. 'Nc harm can be done. I propose to the 1ady, and am refused. What then dt is only another illustration of tht downfall of Radford Leicester, tht Ethletic, the cynic. the drunkard. Blu D am willing to risk it. All I say i! name the woman. Let her be the fbest you can think of, let her be tht  pnost exemplary, the most high-mind ed, the most orthodox, and I main tain that she'll not care a fig abou all my falling if she believes in the rbrilliance of my career.''
 eff you hadn't drunk so mucl whisky you'd not propose such { thing said Purvis.
 'Oh, you are backing out, are you 9 sneered Leicester. 'It is always tn. same. Fellows like you utter piou. platitudes; you proclaim the glory o women: you hold up your hands witt horror at a man who dares tell tht Hruth, and then you back out lik, towards. I say there is no woman but who has her price. You quot, that lying gossip about Miss Black stone refusing me because of m. fheresfes and my whisky drinking. Sell you it is lie, invented b,