The Man Who Rose Again

ent a great deal of time at The Beeches. Not that he was idle during those five months. Rather he worked as he had never worked before. He was anxious to prove himself worthy of the woman

eir institutions, which they said were for the good of humanity. All the same, he rose greatly in the estimation of the people as a whole. They rec

rman. One was by one of the most important leaders of the Opposition, and the other by Leicester, who was to speak as the accepted candidate. Of course the hall was packed. The ex-Cabinet Minister was spoken of as the ablest speaker in the party, and his name was a household word. Naturally, moreover, the ex-Cabinet Minister had the place of honour. For more than an hour he spoke,

been listening to this great man for more than an ho

ed nothing more to say. Still Leicester, as the accepted candidate, was called upon to speak, and as he rose the people gave him a great welcome. The air was hot and stifling, the audience had liste

on. He must prove worthy of her confidence, of her hope, of her love. He had told her that he could do anything with her by his side, and he longed to show her

ng criticism, and searching analysis there was a great moral fervour. For the moment he cast aside his old hopelessness; and his words were glowing with warmth, and convincing because of the ardent sincerity of his own beliefs. The meeting forgot

ven the congratulations of the ex-Cabinet Minister seemed nothing to him: his eyes were keenly scanning the faces of those present, in order to see some one who ha

her side; he did not speak, but wai

" she said i

atisfied?"

gestion of what I f

n him, and the great future which lay before him. And with it all came the consciousness that she had caused the change. She was giving him nobler thoughts of life; she was making him realise the great powers whi

e saw him the leader of a people, voicing their wants, and interpreting their language; she saw him a prophet, revealing to the world the deeper meanings of a nation's life. And she was the instrument chosen for his salvation.

the great leaders. She was sure that Leicester's powers were of the same order as the powers

life seemed enlarged, her purpose in living seemed greater. She was willing to forget herself, to sink he

octrines, was also carried away by the brilliance of Leicester's speech. He felt proud of his

his wife. Sometimes the craving had been terrible, but he had resisted. He had even borne the covert sneers of his acqua

ead lest in some way it should come to her ears. More than once, after his engagement had become known, he had sought to obtain an interview with Purvis and Sprague an

e evening with Olive, and had come back by the last train. As may be imagined, neither Sprague nor Purvis felt very kindly towards him. No man looks

could Leicester, the cynic, the scoffer at women, the man who when under the influence of whisky had made a wager th

aine, he, who for years had avoided women, realised how wrong he had been. He has evidently fallen deeply in love, and I for my par

ve he is simply playing a game. As for his giving up the drink, yes, that may be possible. I believe Leicester

know, she will be a great heiress. There must be pots o

be stopped,"

we desired, we cannot hinder them from marrying. I am

on why she should

mised to hold our tongues, and

e have no right to allow a woman to wreck h

infield. "Leicester is in love, and Lei

love means. The man who is capable of such a wager is

"Besides, we've promised to hold our tongues,

e of a mistaken idea of honour-well, is

fair go on," said Purvis. "At

her he made his way towards them. He was, as we have said, a

a happier, healthier expression. It is true he often suffered from nervous attacks. Mother Nature will not be abused as he had abused her without exacting a terrible

ame up to them, "and I think myself lucky in fi

shone. He had not forgiven Leicester for the many times he had held him up to ridic

king with an effort, for as may be imagined the thoughts in his mind we

ed for hi

continued presen

at was it? Guy's Hospital. All the same, I think it is time that this farce should cease.

ster. The thought of the woman he loved more than all

also wants to know. Having fulfilled our part of the business, you wil

very quietly. "If any cheque

ve heard is false, and that t

roviding I send the cheque," replie

aid Sprague, with a sneer. "I hear he has adopted quite a different to

lf under control, although

ed, you ought to give up this unworthy business; if you

nd my own busines

e error of your ways? Have you turned moral ref

if I

it ought to be duly report

der control, nevertheless Sprag

The understanding was that you were to win her as an atheist, hard drinker, a

's not your

you admit that this en

icester; "if I send the cheque to the hospital, th

t you are a reformed character?

our profession or your drawing-room meet

imply playing a part

ve, what is

tion to drift into such a channel. But the man angered him almost beyond words,

one of moral earnestness which you have introduce

in any of the whining sentimentality of the world? Have I

when he saw these men, but they had, in spite of

lemaine ought to k

mean to tell

ught of it,

no profession of religion, and therefore will act squarely; but I say this to you two fellows-you, Sprague, and Purvis-if ever Miss Castlemaine hears of it, I know it will come from one of you two.

to bring himself to it; but to go to Sprague and Purvis and to tell them that he really loved Miss Castlemaine, and to ask them to refrain from mentioning what had passed between them, was too much. Had they been men of a different order, he might have done it; but afte

ur. He knew now that the man who had laughed at him was afraid of him, and he determin

e you are playing," said Sprague, "and if you will promise

m to finish the sentence. He r

anger him so. "You mistake yourself," he said. "A gentleman does not argue with a cabman, or invite his laundress to dinner. You are presuming too far." He hesit

cester's words, was a

Whatever part I play elsewhere, I'm not playing a part now. I am in deadly earnest, and the devil always helps the man who is faithful to him. Well, I say this: if either of you breathe one word concerning that compact of ours-one word, mark you, especially to Miss Castlemaine-the

uld throw you ov

am in earnest about this. Winfield I know is safe, he is a gentleman,

e, while the three men look

er was gone, and a new and happier man had taken his place. It is true Olive was not demonstrative in her affection towards him, but he was content, and as the wedding-day drew near it seemed to him that his happiness could not continue. The sky of his life was too bright, the joy was too great. Especially did he

dford?" asked Olive; "i

o-I don

ed at hi

ing you," she said.

dding-day. I-I want to ask you somethi

eringly, and then wait