The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-25
JOSEPH ROCKING
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e CHAPTER l.
 A Cynic'S Challenge.

-Four men sat in the smoking room If London club. They were alone. That is scarcely to be wondered at, Tor it was far past midnight. More over. it was not a large club, and even when the place was most fre- suented large numbers were seldom present. Three of the men were shatting cursorily about a defeat of l he government which had taken place that night, but the fourth, by l far the most striking looking man Of he auartette, sat almost by himself, moody and silent. They were all young men. The eldest had barely reached his thirty fifth year. while the youngest was evidently less than thirty. All of hem gave evidence of being young men of leisure, and each of them would claim to belong to that class which is vaguely termed English gen. flemen. will the Government resign, do 
 ''No.'' another replied.
 Why? It could hardly be called snatch division"
 NO, but governments don't resign anless the country is against them"
 And it is.''
 .1n a sense; yes; but in another sense, no. The question tonight was brewers question. We'll, if they resigned and went to the country they would be returned again. The brewers, for whom the Government has been fighting, would be sufficient y strong at the polls to secure the return of their supporters" Therefore the Government will resign"
 They went on discussing the ques- lion neither saying anything worthy of record. The man who sat apart, however, took no note of the con- Fersation. He could by listening care- fully have heard all that was said, but his mind seemed elsewhere. Neither did he speak to the others, although he know each one intimate Iy. Of what he was thinking it would be difficult to tell. There was a strange vacant look in his eyes, and has face was very pale.
 He seemed utterly oblivious of the near. as if to remind the party that he was very sleepy, this young man especially took no note of his pres ence-
 rang a bell which stood on the table It his elbow. sThe waiter came toward him sleep Py.
 ''whiskey," he said. "Yes, sir''
 "A large one."
 ''Yes, sir.''
 And make haste about it.
 The waiter left the room, while the others glanced at each other signi- hcantly.
 How many is that tonight?" said Dne in low voice.
 Heaven knows, I don't. He's or the drink again."
 If I had taken what he's had. should have to be carried to bed"
 Pity, isn't it? He's ruining hi. eareer''
 T don't know. He never show. he's been drinking. He's always al his best when he's drunk"
 Hes never drunk
 Well. you know what I mean. He gan never do himself justice now unless he's had what would make any one of us incapable
 .'Yes but that kind of a thing can iast No constitution could stand it In time it'll destroy his nerves, ana then"
 "yes, it's a pity"
 The waiter brought the young mar bottle of soda-water. He poured { small quantity of soda into the whis key. His hand was steady and h. did not seem to be in the least affect ed by what he had drank.
 He lifted the glass to his lips ant uearfy drained it. Then he sat bacl ln the chair and closed his eyes.
 '1 should think he will soon b. asleep now," whispered one.
 Not he."
 '1t's an awful pity. Don't vol think one ought to try and war him?"
 ''Try it. I would not like to-
 "But he's ruining his life. A fel low of such brilliance, too. Do yo, remember that speech he made a the EcIectic?"
 Remember, Who doesn't? Yo, know the constituency he's candidat Tor? Well, the story of his adoption For that constituency by the genera committee is worth telling. I don nuite know how it was, but througl h misunderstandinS two men wer Invited on the same night to com md address them with view t Adoption. Well, the other man wa koung Lord Telsize, an able. capabl Fellow bv no means a bad sneaker