The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-25

to understand that if he were adopt ed it would not cost them a penny to fight the election. The meeting wanted to vote straight away and adopt Telsize without hearing Leices- ter, especially when they heard that he would contribute practically noth- ing to the funds. However, the chair man overruled this. He said it would not be courteous to ask a man down and not hear him speak; so they glance how things stood, and that put him on his mettle. In three minutes the meeting was at white heat, and before half an hour was over he was unanimously invited to fight their battles. A man who was there told me that Leicester's speech was the most remarkable thing he'd ever heard"
 'I don't care, he's ruining him self. The truth about him is sure to come out, and then he'll be drummed out of the place.
 'I suppose Miss Blackstone refused him because she had heard about this habit of his"
 "Oh, it wasn't that only Miss Blackstone is a very religious young lady, and as you know, Leicester is an agnostic. Not only that, but his views about marriage would not like- ly commend themselves to her. Fancy Radford Leicester being accepted by q girl like Miss BlackstoneI'
 They had been speaking in low tones. although they thought the young man was too much under the influence of whisky to take any no- tice of them, even although the sound of their voices could reach him plain ly. They were greatly surprised therefore, when he to whom they had referred as Radford Leicester rose from his chair and came close to them. He looked at them quietly, glancing first at one and then at the other. Each returned his glance, as if wondering what he would say.
 T was in doubts" he said, ''as to whether I was in one of Moody and sahkey'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 I heard some gossip which was as full of lies as the gossip of a Dorcas society usual ly is. When I opened my eyes was bit surprised. I found was in the smoking-room of my club, where women are not admitted. Am mis- taken? For the plan for my saliva ton was essentially feminine, while the gossip was scarcely up to the level of a woman's charity meeting"
 He drew a chair into the circle and sat down, each man looking rather uncomfortable as he did so.
 Don't you feel like a word of prayer?" he said mockingly. 'I am rather in the humor for it. What is the process? First conviction, and then conversion, isn't tt?" There was nC thickness in his voice, each word was carefully arti- culated. He gave no sign of drink ing, if 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 walk | ing in his fathers footsteps, while Sprague's mother is great at women's meetings. Sprague has evidently in- herited his mothers gifts'' sprague turned towards him an- grily.
 Steady, steady, old man," said | Leicester with a mocking smile on his lips. ''You can't deny that you assist your mother at her drawing room meetings, neither can you deny that the story of Miss Blackstone's refusal of me was born in one of them"
 "It might have been mentioned there," said Sprague, thrown off his guard.
 "It originated there," said Leices- ter lightly.
 ''why do you say that?" asked Sprague.
 Because it is safe to assume tfa, a story without any foundation ir | fact is afioat, especially if it is a trifle malicious, it was born in a religious meeting run by women. Besides, ] know your mother started this gos. sip"
 Each of the three men looked more
 uncomfortable. They had no ides that the quick ears of the man had heard every word.
 "Tm sad case," went on Leices. ter mockingly. I'm ruining my career, my nerves are breaking down and I shall be drummed out of my constituency. Let's see, how man, whiskies have I had tonight? Sure. ly, surely, you fellows who are SC l immaculate, should have a few word. of prayer. Come now, Purvis, a few words of exhortation. I will lister | pafjentJy'