The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-18
(Continued.)

let me detaln you, ohiieh' want something to eat, and Q ntte time to think of my speech And, by the way, don't want to be disturbed by any one, until a. quarter of an hour before the meeting. You under stand that?"
 Quite, MT. Leicester. I'm glad you approve of the steps I've taken.
 Delighted, delighted. You've done marvels."
 i've worked like slave all day; there's been a thousand things to ar range. But I'm what the Americans call bit of hustler, and I mean to win. One must not be too squeam- ish at times like these, you know. l was afraid few weeks ago that you were going to hamper me with fool ish restrictions, but I am afraid you give me a free hand"
 .Yes, go ahead. only be jud1c1ous. Don't give the other side any chance of making us come cropper.
 s.I'n see to that" and the agent departed.
 When he was gone, Leicester lay back in his chair and laughed bit terly.
 What's the odds?" he said. Let him do what he likes. don't care. The whole business is a piece of Job- bery. Smith thinks he's clever, and is trying to outwit the agent on the ,ther side, while he in his turn IS irving to outwit Smith. We'll, let them. I'll get into Parliament, and I'll play the game, and yes. I'll make Olive Castlemaine come to me on pended knees. hurt her pride, did ]. by making her the subject of a wager? We'll. she would listen to no explanation afterwards. and now she shall take the consequences. I see the meaning of Osborne's action John Castlemaine will have sent him some account of this business. and and-well it's no use worrying. I'll make them squirm before I've finish ed; yes. and I'll win my wager too"
 His eyes flashed with a dangerous light. High ideals. Moral purpose. Raise the standard of politics. Those were her words And he laughed mockingly.
 He was sitting in a private room ia the Red Lion Hotel, and, as he had said, he was glad that he was to have the liberty of the hotel, rather than suffer the restrictions which a private house would place upon him. Moreover, Bridget Osborne, as the friend of Olive Castlemaine. would learn something of the truth, and it would be impossible for him to stay there.
 .I will keep up the farce of re- spectability." he said; reports have been spread that I've turned teetotal- CT. Well, I'll play the hypocrfte."
 He rang the bell and a waiter ap- peared-
 aI'u have dinner alone here at seven o'clock he said.
 '.Yes. sir. Anything else, sir?"
 "Yes, bottle of soda-water."
 Nothing with it, sir?'
 NO, nothing"
 He laughed as the man left the room. The old peculiar look had returned to his eyes. After the waiter had brought bottle of soda water and tumbler, he went to his portmanteau, and took therefrom a bottle of whisky. He poured large portion into the glass, added a little soda water. and drank greedily.
 ''I shall suffer the torments of hell if I keep up this,'' he salt; but I don't care. It's better than eternally brooding Now I'll set to work on my speech. Oh yes, she'll be sure to get a copy of the Taviton papers, trust a woman for that,-well, she shall see that I can do without her."
 His brain was still clear, and he showed no outward signs of drinking. Men had said that his nerves were of steel, and that no spirits ever distill ed could affect him. He outlined the address he intended to publish next day, and then sketched the speech he meant to deliver that night. He laughed as his pen moved quickly across the papers.
 They want lies,'' he laughed, they want pious platitudes; we'll, they shall have them, and. they shan't suspect that the man who utters them is drunk, and that he's living in hell.'
 Again and again did he replenish his glass. and as often did he empty it; but it still had no outward effect, save that his eyes became glazed, and dull, and his face assumed an unhealthy look. His hand did not shake, his writing was as clear as ever His thoughts were expressed in clear and convincing form.
 "Yes,' he said presently, "that will do. Olives illness explained in vague terms, but still explicit enough to satisfy every one. I'll arouse their sentimental feelings, and get their votes. Of course the truth will come out presently, but what do I care? Further lies will put everything right rr~r- fhnxr -I11