he looked to it that Abel should be powerless to renew disturbances.
He warned those who controlled the remaining meetings not to admit him,
and henceforth kept at the doors a man who knew Abel. Mr. Legg also saw
Sabina, who was now much in Bridport concerned with a little house that
she had taken, and the boy's mother implored him to do no more evil. To
her surprise he admitted that he had been wrong. But he was dark and
stormy. She saw but little of him and did not know how he occupied his
leisure, or spent his wages.

There is no doubt that, at this time, Abel sank out of mind with those
most interested in him. Estelle was entirely preoccupied with the
election, and when once the lad's new work had been determined and he
went to do it, Raymond dismissed him for the present from his thoughts.
He felt grateful to Sabina for falling in with his wishes and hoped
that, since she was now definitely on his side, a time might soon come
when she would be able to influence her son. Indeed Sabina herself was
more hopeful, and when Estelle came to see her in Bridport, declared
that Abel kept regular hours and appeared to be interested in his work.

Neither she nor anybody belonging to him heard of the boy's escapade at
the meeting, for upon that subject Job Legg felt it wisest to be silent.
And when the penultimate meeting passed, the spirit of it was such that
those best able to judge again felt very sanguine for Ironsyde. He had
created a good impression and won a wide measure of support. He had
worked hard, traversed all the ground and left the people under no
shadow of doubt as to his opinions. Bridetown was for him; West Haven
and Bridport were said to be largely in his favour, but the outlying
agricultural district inclined towards his rival. Raymond had, however,
been at great pains to win the suffrage of the farmers, and his last
meeting was on their account.

Before him now lay the promise of two days' rest, and he accepted them
very thankfully, for he began to grow weary in mind and body. He had
poured his vitality into the struggle which, started more or less as a
sporting event, gradually waxed into a serious and all-important matter.
And as his knowledge increased and his physical energy waned, a cloud
dulled his enthusiasm at times and more than once he asked himself if it
was all worth while--if this infinite trouble and high tension were
expended to the wisest purpose on these ambitions. He had heard things
fr