The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-02
JOSEPH ROCKING
by......

IIIIIIlII1altIlIaIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIllAS give away to an insulting remark then as if thinking better of it check ed himself. He rung a bell which
 stood by the table. A waiter came in answer to his summons.
 whisky" he said. "A large or small one, sir?'' Bring bring 8 bottle he said sav-
 agely.
 "I say, Leicester don't do that!
 said Purvis.
 Don't start drinking again" Again Leicester was almost over
 whelmed with anger. How dare these fellows seek to interfere with himl May I ask my dear Moody and Sanker when the control of my ac- tions came within your province ?'' he said with a strong effort at con- trol.
 Don't take it that way, old man I'm sure you are ashamed of the other business, and" What business?'' "You know what business. You can't go on with it. You would nev- CT have thought of it if you had not been drinking too much; and really, was awfully glad when I saw that yo1Y Wora frivipc if 11nD Leicester did not reply, but in
 stead looked steadily towards the
 waiter, who was coming towards him.
 He poured out a large portion of whisky into a glass, and then having added small quantity of soda-wa ter, he took a long draught. |. 'There," he said when he sci
 down the glass empty, "that for your platitudes my friends" The actions seemed to restore something of his equanimity, and it also brought back the old bravado
 which had characterized him. "The brave warrior seems to re- quire Dutch courage?' remarked
 Sprague who seemed bent on arous- ing all that was evil in him. Better than none at all," remark e Leicester quietly. "And let me tell
 you this, my friend, you can tell your
 mother that I shall not assist you in your drawing room meetings. By the way, what line are you on now? Is
 it Hottenta children, anti-smoking, or
 the conversion of the Jews?" The color had risen to his cheeks
 the old light had come back to his eyes.
 "As if I cared for your Dorcas
 meeting standards of morality he ! went on. What, you thought the poor sinner was repenting, eh? And you had all your texts, and your rag | tags of advice to pour into your will
 ing ears. Tell me, Sprague have you selected one of your women speakers 1 to speak a word in season? You know how partial I am to public Wo- | men,"
 "You tried togive up the drink for a whole week for one,' retorted | Sprague angrily. Did I, now? We'll then, I'll make up for my past misdeeds. I repent of my backsliding, my dear pastor forter."
 He poured out more whisky still
 with a steady hand, and looked al | them with a mocking smile. Have faith, Sprague," he said
 ''have faith, as your favorite women speakers say so eloquently at those
 dear drawing room meetings which you love so much, there's nothing | done without faith'.' Purvis, who was the better fellow
 of the two, looked really distresses He was ashamed of what had taken
 place. and had sincerely hoped that
 Leicester had given up his wild
 scheme upon which they had em- <, parked.
 1T am sorry for all this Leices- | ter," he said, land I confess frankly
 I hoped"
 That I had been brought to the
 stool of repentance. that I was
 ashamed of my misdeeds, and that
 was going to give up the game No
 my friends, I stand by what I said
 and what is more, I am going to
 carry it through. I am not convert.
 ed to your professed belief in the
 nobility of women, and as for being
 ashamed-tah, as though I cared fol
 your copybook moralityi" | Neither of the men spoke in reply
 They were almost afraid of the man
 He spoke quietly, and yet the
 strange light in his eyes showed how
 much moved he was.
 '.And what is more, dear Moody
 and Sankey,' he went on, .I'll hide
 none of my sentiments. I'll win this
 woman under no false colors. Why
 should I? There is no need. Whal did I say? Let women have thei, selfish ambition gratified, and noth. | ing else matters Come now, Leicester, you know i, | is not so. I should think your visit | to MT. Castlemaine's would at least