The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-05
(Continued.)

(Continued.)
 For the first part of the dinner but little of note was said. The conver- sation passed from one topic to an other Motor-cars, a continental e1- hibition the latest new novel of note. and the political laws were each dis cussed in their turn. Society scandal was not indulged in, and the sayings ma doings of actresses and music hall singers were not to be mention ed. Thus, when one comes to think about 1t, the conversation was of & considerably higher standard than that often indulged in at society func- tions. But then 1t must be remem- hered that John Castlemaine was a middle-class man, who professed the Christian religion. and the atmos- phere of his house was not favorable to smart" talk.
 Indeed, if the truth must be told, Radford Leicester grew rather restive under it. He noticed too. that both Eprague and Purvis were watching him closely, and listening to all he had to say. He instinctively knew of what they were thinking, and more he felt certain that If his host and hostess were aware of the circun- stances which led to his being their xuests that night, a servant would have shown him to the door. More over, although he was not afraid of the outwardly effect of taking much wine a4 dinner, he was obliged to be abstemiouA Olive Castlemaine had heard of his weakness. and would doubtless take note of the number of times the waiter filled his glass.
 Presently, when discussing politics. some one remarked on the amount of self-sacrifice which had been prac- tised by members of Parliament, es- peciaIly by those who held a posi- ton in the country.
 MT. Leicester does not believe in that" remarked Purvis. 'He is of opinion that it all is great fun"
 All eyes were turned toward Lei cester.
 You are mistaken" he replied, T believe the self sacrifice of these men is very great"
 MT Leicester has. surely altered his opinion of late,' remarked sprague. Behold, a Saul among prophets"
 Not in the slightest, I assure you" replied Leicester. "1 believe that hosts of these men sacrifice themselves a great deal. If you ask me whom they sacrifice themselves for, I should say-themselves."
 Then the candidate for Taviton sacrifices his leisure for"
 The candidate for Taviton, exact Iy. My dear Sprague, you have hit on the situation with your usual feli- city"
 II don't think MT. Leicester is fair to himself" remarked Olive Castle maine. looking questioningly into Lei cester's face.
 | | oester. Indeed I am inclined to think that the people who are called self-sacrificing are very undesirable reople to associate with"
 Come now Leicester, you don't be- lieve that" said Purvis.
 ''I assure you do most sincerely" replied Leicester quietly. The other day I was at a house where there were six people present, and they were waiting to play some game where only four could take part. Well, four of them were self-sacri- ficing people, and wanted to give way to the others. Two were selfish, and desired to engage in the game. We'll none of these four would give way in their unselfishness-wi the re- suit that the game was never played at all. The evening was spoiled by unselfish people"
 He looked so serious as he spoke that Olive Castlemaine laughed out right
 Many an evening which might have been pleasant" went on Leices- ter, "has been spoiled for me by these unselfish people making them selves and everybody else uncomfort- able, under the pretense that they were trying to make us comfortable. Of this I am sure, if people were really and truly honest, and were openly selfish, then each man would seek his own enjoyment and find it. |"
 And be miserable when he found it," remarked Olive quietly.
 T assure you that is fa1lacy," said Leicester, "else why is it that the so called moral and unselfish peo- pie are the most disagreeable to deal morose and unhappy people 1 have met are these moral reformers"
 linen what would you suggest %
 "A good healthy organism. I know this is an awful heresy, but can any reasonable man say that the English with all their religious institutions, are 70 happy as the old Greeks were?"
 I've can't accuse Leicester of hid fns his light under a buShel,' said sprague to Purvis, after dinner, dur xz IT.