The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-14

for gallop: but get some lunch, old man."
 Come on, if you have finished. We can get to Wimbledon Common in ar hour-in less than an hour. Ther we will give those horses of Bilson's chance to know what they can do. y But we must get some riding togs on, old man. You can't go a-riding with a. frock coat, and a top hat.' "Oh, I forgot; but that's soon remedied. We can be back by seven or eight o'clock, and by that time there should bean answer"
 A few minutes later, they were on their way towards Wimbledon Com mon. But for Winfield, Leicester would have galloped through the crowded streets, and more than once he was on the point of resenting his companions restrictions. When they arrived at the open country, how ever, he gave his horse rein, and tore across the Common, while Winfield kept close at his heels.
 "I wish I could ride to Brighton" said Leicester presently. This helps me to keep the devil down."
 "Why not?" said Winfield.
 'I must get back now" he replied 'sThere will be an answer to my let ter. It may be-you see-she is very just"
 What does a man want of women while he has a good horse under him, the open sky above him, and the country all around him?' asked Win fled, with a laugh.
 What does a man want with heaven when he's been living in hell? ?" asked Leicester.
 "As you will, Leicester" said his companion; 'but take my advice. Don't expect-too much, and make up your mind to have a good time, whatever may happen"
 Leicester laughed, and it was the laugh of a madman.
 Do you believe in the devil, Win
 
 "I don't see that the devil has anything to do with it," replied the other. "We are young, we have life before us, and-'
 But Leicester did not listen to him further. He struck his spurs into his horses sides. and the animal tore off at a mad gallop. Winfield's horse started to follow, but the young man held him back. Let him go." he said to himself, he's better without me. I've made mistake evidently, and, great heavens, I don't like to think of what will happen"
 Winfield watched the other. who galloped wildly across the broad open space, and then waited while he rode the mad passion out of himself.
 When Leicester returned, half an hour later, there was a quieter look in his eyes, his face looked more natural.
 ''I thought you'd gone, Winfield" he said; Tets get back to town. What a wedding-day I'm having, eh?''
 Both their horses were black with sweat when they returned them to the job-master from whom they had borrowed them, but Leicester did not listen to the mans remarks. He hur- ried back to the club, and went straight to the office.
 Any letters for me?" he asked.
 A number were handed to him which had come through the post.
 "Not these" he said impatiently. Has one come by private messeng- er?"
 "Oh yes, had forgotten. Here it is, sir."
 He took the letter. Yes, it was ad- dressed in Olive Castlemaine's hand writings and without a words he rush ed straight to his bedroom. He wanted to be alone. Feverishly he turned on the electric light, and then broke the seal. The envelope con- tained nothing but his own unopen- ed letter.
 For some time he stood still. No sound. no movement did he make. He felt now that the last thread which held him to hope was broken, and yet he could not realize what it meant. Ever since he had left The Eeeches that morning, he had lived in a kind of trance. The blow which had fallen had to an extent paralyzed him. Everything seemed long way off, even although he knew that a tragedy had taken place in his own life. Presently, however, it became real to him. Hope was gone, joy was gone, purpose was gone. The sun had gone down on his wedding day, and it had also gone down on his life. There was no light anywhere. For years he had lived hopeless life, for years he had been chained by degrading habit, for years he had ceased to believe in God, in virtue in anything that made life worth the living. Then a, new force had come into his life. Hope, faith, and more than all, love had sprung up in his heart. The world had become new, and he knew what heaven meant. Then, when the day had come on