im to use his sense; but it's beyond my power to make
him understand. There's a devil in him and nobody can cast it out."

"He won't speak to me now. Poor Abel--yes, it's something like a
devil. I'll tell his father. We were very hopeful about the future
until--But if he gets to work, it may sweeten him. He'll have good
wages and meet nice people."

"I wish it had been farther off."

"So did I," answered Estelle; "but his father wants him under his own
eye and will put him into something better the moment he can. You won't
mention this to Abel, and he won't hear it there, because the workers
don't know it; but Raymond has a large interest in the Mill really."

"I'll not mention it. I'll go to-morrow, and the boy will know nothing
save that I've got him a good job."

"He can begin next month; and that will help him every way, I hope."

So things fell out, and within a month Abel was at work. He believed his
mother solely responsible for this occupation. She had yet to find a
home at Bridport, so he came and went from Bridetown.

He was soon deeply interested and only talked about his labours with a
steam engine. Of his troubles he ceased to speak, and for many days
never mentioned his father's name.

CHAPTER XX

IDEALS

An event which seemed more or less remote, came suddenly to the
forefront of Raymond Ironsyde's life, for ill-health hastened the
retirement of the sitting member and a parliamentary bye-election was
called for.

Having undertaken the constituency he could not turn back, though the
sudden demand had not been expected. But he found plenty of enthusiastic
helpers and his own personality had made him many friends.

It was indeed upon the significance of personality that much turned, and
incidentally the experiences into which he now entered served to show
him all that personality may mean. Estelle rejoiced that he should now
so swiftly learn what had so long been apparent to her. She always
declared an enthusiasm for personality; to her it seemed the force
behind everything and the mainspring of all movement. Lack of
personality meant stagnation; but granted personality, then advance was
possible--almost inevitable.

He caught her meaning and appreciated what followed from it. But he saw
that personality demands freedom before its fullest expression and
highest altitude are attainable. That altitude had never been reached as
yet even by the most liberty-loving people.

"There's no r