The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-06
(Continued.)

-svsvvvOvvoveveeeO0 eO0vveOvSsvssS
 (Continued.)
 Leicester had noticed, when he tolo he cabman to drive to The Beeches hat the man had treated him with marked respect. Visitors Of Jonr castlemaine were not to be regaroec lightly.
 ..WiIl you wait a minute" said Leicester to the cabman, as he drew ip to the door. He was not sure shether the one he had come to see night be disposed to see him. H. ang the bell. realizing that his heart vas beating faster than was its wont
 'Ts MT. Castlemaine at homer" ht ,sked.
 'sNo, sir"
 Perhaps Miss Castlemaine is in?"
 ''Yes. sir''
 The servant recognized him again md took his card to Olive with mile.
 will you walk in. sir?" he said presently. and then Leicester. having dismissed the cabman entered the iouse for the third time.
 Everything was strangely quiet. The iouse might have been in the heart If the country. To the young man it selt almost like a temple. so different rom the daily decorated club where ,e spent so much of his time. When he servant left him, and he looked tround the room into which he had been shown he left like a. man in iream.. It seemed to him as though ae had entered a new world. The air of refinement and culture which ae had realized when he first entered his room seemed more than ever present. Then a great pain shot through his heart. Why was he there? What had led to his being here?
 He heard a rustic of garments out tide, and Olive Castlemaine entered. He felt as though this was the first lime he had seen her at home. Evi- aently she had expected no visitors md she was dressed for no functions He noticed that she looked younger SOW than when he had seen her on other occasions. more girlish. more han ever a child of nature. He pre- rerred to see her in this way. It had always seemed to him that women ap- peared at their worst in attire which society demands for evening functions. It gave the impression of artif1ciality, pf being dressed for show But now all was different She stood be- fore him in a simple. close fitting aress, which perfectly harmonized with her glossy dark brown hair and per- feet complexion. and also revealed to ldvantage her finely moulded form.
 sI make no apology for taking a great liberty. Miss Castlemaine. he raid. T have called this afternoon pn the chance of seeing you. because could do no other"
 She gave him a quick glance. but quick as it was. it revealed that Lei rester's mocking cynical manner was zone. The flash of his eyes. the stern set features showed that he was dead ty in earnest.
 You frighten me-" she said with a laugh T hope you have brought nc bad news
 T have not the slightest idea how you will regard it.' he said. "but have come to ask you a favor."
 What is it?'.. she said. still smiling ITS it to give a subscription to some charity which you have been in the habit of condemning?''
 'eNo." he replied. T have come tc ask you to listen to me patiently foI T few minutes"
 She froze somewhat at this. Per haps the look in his eyes made hel feel somewhat uncomfortable. She realized that it was somewhat unusual for a comparative stranger to come 1T such a way.
 '1 am afraid I am a poor listener, she said. "and what is more. I am al a loss to conceive how I can advantage you by doing so.''
 .Still, you will hear me out. wont you?"
 II have no choice. have r" she said almost nervously.
 .I want to be frankly egotistic." he said T want to speak about a worth less subject-myself.'
 She IelI n6T heart uull0rlnS, UuI SIie spoke composedly.
 Then I think we had better si down." she said.
 She suited the action to the word but Leicester continued standing Ht laid his hat and gloves on a chair. but stood before her. his body almost rigid.
 q have seldom been in earnest dur ing the last few years" he said, "bu' when have been. I always wanted 70 stand up. I am in earnest now"
 Olive Castlemaine did not reply. but she sat watching him. There was nc longer R tone of mockery in his voice and his pale and earnest eyes gave nc suggestion of the cynical faithlessnes: which characterized him at their frs meeting. She felt as though she would like to refuse to listen to him. but his presence forbade her. He was strong and masterful. even in his appeal.
 Miss Castlemaine," he said, e imagine that you have heard but little that is good of me. You have beer told that I am an atheist. man with. out faith in man. or in God. and what you have heard is in the main ths truth. Not altogether. but in tht main. am not what is called 2 good man. indeed I cannot claim tc have been even an admirer of good. ness. Certainly I have believed ir very little of it.
 Olive interrupted him. AS a strong