The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-14

way lIlc1I IItOc w SOA4y AAS AASN> given his promise.
 After they had got into the train and were on their way back to Lon don, Leicester spoke again.
 Winfield" he said, "do you think she meant what she said? that is, dc you think she will ever be led to change her mind?"
 "All things are possible" said Win. field
 "Yes, but do you think she willy
 "No," said Winfield, 'I do not be- lieve she ever will" He was sorry after he had spoken, that he had not fenced with the question. so terrible was the look in Leicester's eyes.
 "Ah,'' he replied, T was only cur ious to know what you thought. have always looked on you as a level headed fellow"
 T think" said Winfield, that her pride was wounded, that she was very angry at being made the sub- ject of @ wager. What woI1an wouldn't? Then that conversation we had together few weeks ago was made to look very lack. Of course you might write letter, giv- ing a full explanation. By tomorrow she will be able to see things in a clearer light"
 "No," said Leicester, ''she never will"
 Winfield was silent.
 ''Still. I'll write the letter."
 T should"
 ''I'll write it as soon as we get back to the club. I'll state the whole truth. I ought to have done it be- fore"
 Tt would have been best. But who would have thought that those two fellows would have-'
 Don't talk about them yet. Win field. Please don't-ff-if-but nev- CT mind that now.''
 The mans face was contorted with passion, but he spoke quietly, almost coldly. Winfield shivered as he spoke, however. If ever murder burned in a mans eyes. it burned in Leicester's at that moment.
 Directly they arrived at the club, he seized a pen and wrote rapidly, while Winfield remained near him smoking a cigar. Page after page l1v "a cit ar writiax when he had finished he p s:ed what he had written t, Winfield.
 Its mean of me to bother you" he said. ''but I'm quite bowled over I hardly know whether I've set ev- erything down exactly as it occurred. Would you mind reading what I've written ana tell me whether I've made the whole affair plain?"
 Winfield read the letter from the first word to the last
 |Yes." he said; nothing could be more clearly stated. Nothing could be more plain or straightforward"
 Thank you. I wanted to be sure l was in my right mind. I'll not trouble you with the rest of the let ter"
 Again he wrote; and this time it was evident by the look on his face that he was setting down what was only for Olive Castlemaine's eyes. As matter of fact. he was pleading with her as only a. desperate man can plead. He threw his bride to the winds, and prayed her mercy and her forgiveness.
 What time is it?" he said, when he had finished.
 Three o'clock" said Winfield looking at his watch, ''and I've had no lunch"
 No; you expected-that is. we ex- pected to--I say, Winfield, I'm going to send this by hand"
 Wait until tomorrow"
 No; tomorrow is an eternity. I must send it now. Great God vou don't know what this means to me. Get your lunch, Winfield; I'll be back presently
 He left the room as he spoke. while Winfield went into the dining room.
 Poor beggar," said the young man as he examined the menu, '.he's got It bad, and no wonder; for it was a. knock-down blow. We'll, it must be kept out of the papers, anyhow"
 When he had nearly finished his lunch Leicester joined him.
 'I've sent it off," he said. "and have told the man to wait for an answer
 Better if you'd waited until to- morrow" said Winfield
 T couldn't, man. Most likely she'll go away somewhere tonight-that is -unless-you know. If I'd waited until tomorrow she'd never have got my letter. she'd be on the way in the Continent, or-heaven knows where. No, I've done right"
 Perhaps you have. Anyhow, sit down and get some lunch. 4 man must eat, you know"
 T could just as easily fIv. An. and that reminds me. Winfield. let's go for ride out in the country. We can get couple of horses at Bilson,s He has a mad mare that T us,+ +o