The Worshipful Master.

baronet , but an out-and-out Eadical , who had contested the seat many times , but who had hitherto been unsuccessful . He was just appointed Provincial Grand Master of Wessex , and , no doubt , large numbers of the Masons would pocket their political opinions and vote for him simply because he was their beloved chief . It was , therefore , necessary that a Mason should be put up in opposition , and for this reason partly , ancl because Lord Earsdon was a very

wealthy and powerful nobleman , Lord Esme ' s name was freely mentioned as the proper man . His uncle , Lord Eiversdale , was a great landed proprietor in Wessex , and was ready to champion his nephew if need be . However , everything was undecided , and the Liberals were certain that at last they would carry their man . The Lod ge of Harmony had their monthly meeting always at the full moon . Some peojde said because they were lunatics , ancl most affected about that time .

It was October , and . the hunt ball was fixed , as it happened , for the same night . This suited a good many of the brethren , who were thus enabled to attend to their lodge duties and enjoy the ball afterwards ; and , in the anteroom , and before the lodge was opened , speculation was rife as to whether the Provincial Grand Master would go in unopposed or not . It was thc night for the installation , of the Worshipful Master , our friend Diggory Wroath , who was in the Civil Service , being H . M . Inspector of Factories under the Home

Office , and stationed at Gippingswick . There had been a meeting of the Past Masters previously , to consult as to the officers for the ensuing year , when the W . M . elect , as was the time honoured and much to be commended custom , took counsel with the fathers of the lodge . It was then decided to offer Lord Esme , who was very popular , the Senior Warden ' s chair , so as to make him W . M . next year ; but he had declined , much to Diggory ' s relief , who was not quite so well inclined towards the young Lord as he had been . But only one man guessed why .

It therefore fell to Dr . Penhaligon ' s lot to be Senior Warden . The ceremony of installation was very impressively performed by the venerable Deputy Provincial Grand Master , assisted by Bro . Romer , the handsome , white-haired Director of Ceremonies , and the usual banquet followed . St . John ' s Festival was rightl y kept on St . John ' s Day , and not any time in December or January , as is the custom of some lodges ; and the brethren always attended Divine serviceby special dispensation in Masonic clothingon that dayjust as the

, , , media . val guilds used to do , and as the modern church guilds do also nowa-days . Nothing was said in the lodge , of course , as to Lorcl Esme ' s possible candidature , but it Avas understood that Sir Knighton Verryn would be at the ball , and probably something definite would be known there . The Speaker had issued his writthe nomination would take lace next

, p day , and the election the usual time ( a few days only ) after that . " Well , Sir Knighton , " said Dr . Oldham , as he piloted his way slowly through the well-dressed mob , and accosted his Masonic chief , " I suppose we may congratulate you at last on being Member for Wessex . " " I don't know , I am sure ; but it looks like a walk over this time , as the Conservatives can't find their man . "

Dr . Oldham , who was on the Conservative committee , knew that they had found their man , who , however , was very loath to be brought forward in opposition to so genial and kindly a friend as the Provincial Grand Master . There was a hitch somewhere . The time was late , Lord Esme Earsdon had not returned , but the Conservative lawyers and agents , Messrs . Carthew and Raggett had been instructed to arrange the nomination of Lorcl Esme the following morning , when he would be nominated b y his uncle , Lord Eiversdale , an Irish Peer , and seconded by the local Conservative M . P ., Mr . Chamberlain ,-unless anything unforseen happened .