The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-19
coco. Dy'''''' JOSEPH ROCKING
"A gentleman to see you, sir"

''Very well, tell him I'll be with him in a few minutes. Ask him to take a seat, will you, James,"
 He spoke in his old voice. After all, the event of the previous evening was only an episode. He was not really altered; perhaps he would be able to put all things right even yet.
 He determined that nothing should be left undone, on his part, to atone for the miserable past. He went to the bathroom, which adjoined his room, and plunged into cold water; after this he shaved himself, and then dressed with great care. When he appeared before MT. Grayburn there were no traces of the events of the previous night. His nerves stood him in good stead again. He was never more quiet and composed in his life, yet he felt like a man who had sign ed his own death warrant.
 'Ah, good-morning. MT. Gray hurn.''
 "Good-morning, MT. Leicester"
 Have you breakfasted? I see the man has set the table for one only, but that can soon be rectified."
 Thank you, have breakfasted."
 MT. Grayburn spoke very quietly, but he was evidently ill at ease. Had Leicester appeared before him hag- gard and trembling, his work would have been easier. It seemed impos- sible to take the superior attitude to- wards Leicester as he appeared at that moment.
 'I have come, MT. Leicester, at the request of the Executive Committee of our Political Association. As chair man of that committee, they thought I was the proper person. You will, of course, guess why"
 Leicester was silent.
 ''The events of last night will, of course, make it impossible for you to again appear in the Division as a candidate
 Excuse me- said Leicester; "but surely my illness of last night will not-'
 .Illness?" interrupted MT. Gray burn.
 well. call it what you like. Say I was intoxicated. Is that enough to nu'lify all the work I have done in the constituency for the past three years?''
 '"The member for this Division must be gentleman whose personal character is stainless said MT. Grayburn. "It is true that many would excuse last night in view of your recent disappointment, but only few. And even they would turn against you as soon as certain facts come to light"
 What facts?'
 Facts which MT. Osborne could reveal if he would. At present he simply characterizes them as dis graceful
 Leicester still fought on grimly. Why, he hardly knew.
 ''I take it that even a political or ganization will not be so mean as to believe vague and improved charge" he said
 When it comes from a man like MT. Osborne, yes.'' Leicester laugh ed bitterly-his old cynical laugh.
 "Oh, see,'' he said, ''the hero of one day is the criminal of the next. Of course, three years service and hundreds of pounds spent go for nothing. We'll, I might have ex- pected it.''
 "One of the chief blanks of our political platform is temperance re- form," said MT. Grayburn. ..How can the people believe in your sin cerity?''
 Again Leicester laughed.
 'If I were a brewer. and made A huge income out of the drink, l should be believed in," he said.
 Possibly. if you did not appear in-
 DAdCliy. MY great Sln IS, not that I drink whisky, but that I hap pened to drink it at the wrong time. Why, my dear fellow, I have seen you in this very room hilarious by the whisky you have drunk at my expense. have heard you sing comic songs in most melodious tones, and I have had to send for cab to take you home"
 'But never in public" said MT. Grayburn uneasily.
 Just so. I see my failing. MT. Grayburn, allow me to congratulate you on your high moral standard. Drink as much as you like, only don't let any one know it.''
 Look here, MT. Leicester" said the other. 'I am as sorry for this as any man, and if I only considered myself-well, things would be differ ent. But I'm only one. There are these teetotalers to think of, and they are a strong party here. I tell you the people are mad with you: if you appeared outside the hotel now, you'd be hooted If you ap- peared at meeting you'd be hissed off the platform; nay, more, I don't believe you'd be safe to go into the streets. You'd be pelted with rotten eggs, and the refuse of the town"