The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-02
(Continued.) CHAPTER V.
The Strengthening of the Chain.

The Strengthening of the Chain.
 For the next few days following the night of the dinner at John Cas- tIemaine's house, a change seemed to come over Radford Leicester He became less hopeless, and he did not drink so freely. It might seem as though an evening spent in the socie- ty of a good woman had a beneficial effect upon him. He did not take any further steps to carry out his avowed intention, but when he spoke of women it was with less bitterness
 Both Sprague and Purvis noticed this. and both wondered what il portended Could it be that Leices- ter meant to reform, or did it mean that he was simply playing part in order to win the woman he had boasted he could win?
 Nevertheless he was moody, and seemed unhappy. He met these men sometimes at the club, but spoke lit tie. Moreover, in public he was very abstemious, so much so that even the waiter noticed it.
 ''Is he turning over new leaf!' asked Purvis of Sprague.
 'If he is, he is not playing the game" replied the other.
 ''why do you say that?'
 Because it was understood that he should win her on the under standing that he was an atheist and a drunkard."
 But you surely don't object to his reforming?"
 NO, of course not should be only too glad if he did, only in that case all the point of our discussion would be gone"
 They were, during this converse ton. sitting in the club where we first met them and just as Purvis was about to reply to the other Leicester entered the room. He looked ever paler than usual, and the rings around his eyes suggested either pain physical, or mental No sooner did he see them than he walked towards them, as if glad of an opportunity of companionship.
 How are you Leicester?"
 'T have a beastly headache" he replied.
 Sprague and Purvis looked at each other significantly, a look which Lei icester noticed.
 No" he said, "don't draw youl conclusions. I have not been drink. ing. It's that confounded constitu. lency."
 ''No-nothing of importance. It: only the old game. This time this man has to be written to and ther the other man has to have cer' tain statement explained. I'd give uI the whole thing for twopence.."
 where would your career be then Leicetser ?''
 Hang the career,'' he said mood fly.
 Its all very we'll to say that, olt man. but a great deal depends or it"
 ''what?"
 ''Well, your future in Parliament and your future matrimonial arrange. ments-"
 He gave the two men an angry look.
 f1s, y,o c,ai1 1
 Sorry to contradict you, old man but it is our affair tooo. That hun dred pounds, you know
 Leicetser gave expression to a sen timent which was more forcible thar elegant.
 Sprague looked at him eagerly Ever since the night when we frs met these men, he had cherished anger in his heart towards Leicester He felt that this man despised him and he was glad of an opportunit! of giving him one, as he termed it .-on his own account
 '-Our gallant warrior is afriad tc fight" he said with a sheer.
 Leicester started as though h' were stung. The look on Sprague'i face maddened him. For Leicester was in a nervous condition that night His abstention from spirits was tellins on him terribly. Every fibre of hi being was crying out for whiskey and every nerve seemed on edge.
 What do you mean Sprague?" h' demanded.
 T mean that our gallant warrior is pulling down his flag said Spra gue- He has found out that the cita del cannot be easily taken, and he'' ready to give up without striking z blow
 Leicester looked on the ground moodily. In his heart of hearts hs was ashamed of the whole business but he felt he would rather do any thing than confess it before those fellows.
 "I hear he's turned teetotaller, too went on Sprague, who seemed anx ious to pay off old sores. Who knows? We may also see Leicester posing as a temperance advocate yet"
 r.foes<ex rose to his feet as if nm