The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-24
CHARLES READE
CHAPTER V.

not VhlDle.
She appeared. however. at last. in SUI
sperb silk dress, the broad luster OF
which would have been beautiful, only
the effect was broken and frittered away
by six rows OF gimp and fringe, But why
blame her? This Is a blunder In art as
universal as II Is amazing. when one
considers the amount OF apparent thought
her sex devotes to dress. They might
Just as well score a fair plot OF velvet
turf with rows OF box, or tattoo. bloom
ing and downy cheek.
She held out her hand. like a man.
and talked to Sir Charles on INDIFFERENT
topics. till Mr.. Oldfeld arrived. She then
retired into the background and left the
gentlemen 10 discuss the deed. When
appealed TO, she evaded direct replies,
and put on ianguid and imperial indif-
ference. When she signed, IL was with
the air of some princess bestowing
favor upon solicitation.
But the business concluded. she thawed
all in a moment. and invited the gentle
men TO luncheon With charming cordl-
ality. Indeed, her genuine oonhomie al
ter her affected indifference was rather
comic. Everybody was content. The
champagne flowed. The lady, with her
good mother-wit, kept conversation go
ing till the lawyer was nearly missing his
next appointment. He hurried away; and
Sir Charles only fingered. out OF good
In the course OF leave-takng he said he
was sorry ne left her with people about
her whom he had bad opinion. Those
women have no more feeling for you than
stones. When you lay in convulsions,
your housekeeper looked on as philoso-
phically as if you had been two kittens
at play-you and Polly"
"I saw her"
Indeed You appeared hardly in a
condition 70 see ANYTHING"
did. though. and heard the old
wretch tell the young monkey TO water
my lilac dress. That was to get IL for
her. Polly She knew I'd never wear
II aftsrward."
Then. why don't you turn her off?"
Who'd take such a useless old hag II
turned her off?"
You can carry a charity a long way"
II carry everything. What's the use
OF doing things by halves, good or bad?"
well. but that Polly. She's young
enough to get her living elsewhere; and
she Is extremely disrespectful TO you"
That she IL. II ! wasn't a lady, ia
give her a good hiding this very day
for her cheek"
'-rhen why not turn her off this very
day for her cheek7"
well, I'll tell you since you and I are
parted forever. No. don't like"
'Oh. come! No secrets between
1rlenQN.
"weil, then, the old has isis my
mother"
WHAT
And the young jade--is my sister"
GOOD Heavens
And the page-is my little brother"
''Ha, ha, ha!'
What. you are not angry"
Angry? no. Ha. ha, ha'
See what hornets nest you have es-
capped from. My dear friend those two
women rob me through thick and thin.
They steal my handkerchiefs. and my
gloves. and my very linen. They drink
my wine like fishes. They'd take the
hair OF my, head. IL IL wasn't fastened
by the roots-for a wonder"
why not give them a ten pound note
and send them homer"
They'd pocket the note. and blacker
me in our village. That was why ] had
them up here. First time 1 went home
after running about with that little
scamp. vandeleur-do you know him.
II have not the honor"
Then your luck beats mine. one
thing, he is going to the dogs as fast
"a he can. Some day he'll come begginf
now"
well. but you were saying"
Yes, went or about Van. Polly say,
I've a mind like running water. Well
then. when I went home the first time
after Van. mother and Polly raised 2
virtuous howl. AN right said for. nj
course, I know how much virtue there I;
under their skies. Virtue of the lower
ordersi Tell that to gentlefolks that dom
know them. do. I've been one Of then
II know all about that says T. 'Yo,
want 10 share the plunder. that II IN,
sense Of your virtuous cry So I hac
'em up here; and then there was no more
virtuous bowling. but a deal of virtuou:
thieving and modest drinking. and pure
minded selling ~ my street door 10 the
highest male bidder. And they will cor.
,rupt the boy and II they do, I'll cut theil
black hearts out with my riding whip
hut I suppose ! must keep them on: they
are nv own flesh and blood: and II
was TO be- III and dying. they'd do nj
they could 10 keep me alive-for theil
own sakes. I am their milch cow-thes'
country innocents."
sir Charles groaned aloud. and said
my poor girl you deserve a better fat
than this Marry some honest fellow
and cut the whole thing
I'll see about II, You try II first
and let US sec how you like IT..
And so they parted gayly.
In the hall Polly intercepted him. nj
smiles He looked at her. smiled In hi
sleeve. and gave her handsome present
" IN you please. SIT, saln snes an or
gentleman called for YOU
"when?''
"About-san hour ago. Deastways NJ
asked n Sir Charles Bassett was there
,ad yes. but YOU wouldn't see no one.
who could II be7 Why. surely yo,
never told anybody I was to be here to
day7'
ia. no. sir how could ~ said Polly
with a face ~ brass.
Sir Charles thought this very odd snC
felt even a little uneasy about n. All tn
way 20 Portman Square he puzzled owe
70: and ct last he was driven to th'
conclusion that Miss Somerset had beer
weak enough % tell some person. mal'
or female. 81 the coming Interview. and
90 somebody had called there. doubtless
to ask him a favor.
AZ nve o'clock he reached Portmai
souare. and was about 10 enter. as
matter Of course; but the footman stop
ned him. Il beg pardon. SIR Charles.
raid the man. looking pale and agitated
but have strict orders. My young lad,
n very H."
'ui Let me 60 to her this Instant"