The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-06-05

understand that IL he were adopted II
would not cost them a penny TO fight
the election. The meeting wanted to
/ vote straight away and adopt Telsize
without hearing Leicester, especially
when they heard that he would con-
tribute practically nothing 10 the
funds. However, the chairman over
ruled this. He said 1t would not be
courteous TO ask a man down and not
hear him speak so they called him In.
Leicester saw at a glance how things
stood and that Dut him on his mettle.
In three minutes the meeting was AZ
white heat, and before half al hour
was over, he was unanimously invited
II fight their battles. A man who was
| there ;old me that Leicester's speech
was the most remarkable thing he'd
ever heard
II don't care. he's running himself.
! The truth about him Is sure TO come
out. and then he'll be drummed out
OF the place"
Il suppose Miss Blackstone refused
him because she had heard about this
habit of his"
"Oh. it wasn't that only. Miss Black
stone is very religious young lady
and. as you know, Leicester is an az
nostic Not only that, but his views
about marrying would not likely com
mend themselves TO her Fancy R9
ford Leicester being accepted by
girl like Miss Blackstone
They had been speaking in low
tones. although they thought the
young man was too much under the
| influence of whiskey to take any no.
tice of them, even although the soun
of their voices could reach him plain
/ ly. They We're greatly surprised, there
| fore. when he to whom they had re-
ferred as Radford Leicester arose from
| his chair and came close to them. He
/ looked at them quietly, glancing first
at one and then at the other. Each re-
/ turned his olance. as if wondering
what he would say.
| 81 was in doubts" he said, "as to
whether ! was in one OF Moody ana
| Sankey's meetings or whether some
strange fate had thrown me into the
midst of a Dorcas society
/ why. old man."
! Because at first I heard some
scheme for snatching a brand from
burning, and afterwards J heard some
gossip which was as full Of lies as
/ the gossip of a Dorcas society usu-
ally is. When | opened my eyes | was
a bit surprised I found | was in the
smoking room of my club, where
women are not admitted. Am | mis-
taken9 For the plan of my salvation
was essentially feminine, while the
gossip was scarcely up to the level
of womar's charity meeting
He drew a chair into the circle and
sat down, each man looking rather un
comfortable as he did so.
Don't you feel like word of pray
err" he said mockingly. 81 am rather
in the humor for it. What is the pro
cess. First conviction, and then con
version, isn't it,
There was no thickness in his voice
each word was carefully articulated
He gave no sign of drinking, II we
except the peculiar look in his eyes
Your father is a parson, isn't he
Purvis?" he went on. He'll be pleased
, to know that his son is walking IN
his fathers footsteps, while Sprague
mother is great at womens meetings
Sprague has evidently Inherited MS
mothers gifts
Sprague turned toward him angrily
STEADY. steady. old man. said Lei
cester. with a mockng smile on his
lips. you cant deny that you assist
your mother at her drawing room
meetings. neither can you deny ina,
the story of Miss Blackstone's refusa
of me was born in one OF them
"It might have been mentioned
there. said Sprague, thrown off ms
guard.
ut originated there" said Leices-
ter lightly.
Why do you say that asked
Sprague.
Because it is safe to assume that
a story without any foundation IN
fact is afloat, especially If 1t is a
trifle malicious. it was born in a
religious meeting run by women. BE
sides. know your mother started
this gossip
Each of the three men looked
mere uncomfortable. They had no
idea that the quick ears OF the man
had heard every word.
I'm sal case went on Lelces-
ter mockingly. I'm running my ca
Ieer. my nerves are breaking down
and shall soon be drummed out
OF my constituency. Let's see, no"
many whiskies have ! had tonight.
Surely, surely, you fellows who are
50 immaculate, should have few
words of prayer. Come now, Purvis,
a few words of eXhortatiion. | will
listen patiently
we said nothing wrong, Leices
ter" said Purvis. and we meant
nothing wrong. We only said what
those who know you best and like
you best. are thinking. You may
keep the fact OF your hard drinking
from the public a little longer hut
rot much Such things are bound
To leak out"
Especially when ! have such 10y
al Friaufe 90