The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-24

, A TERRIBLE TEMPTATION {
BY 7
CHARLES READE (
Z>N DCNA
CHARLES READE

twenty miles from ffunlertoihoe 'h''
changed the wheelers, two fresh horses
having been sent on at night.
They drove in at the lodge gate or
Bellevue House which was left osten-
tatiously open. and soon drew up al the
hall door. and set many pale race
peeping from the upper windows
The door opened the respectable ser
want came out with n respectful air.
"Is Mr. salter at home. sir2''
mo, Madam. Mr.. Coyne Is In charge
today"
Lady Bsssett was glad To hear that
and asked II she might be allowed TO see
Mr. Coyne.
Certainly. madam I'll tell him al
once, was the reply.
Determines to- enter the place. Lady
Bassett requested her people 10 open the
carriage door. and she was in the act or
getting out when Mr.. Coyne appeared.
little oily. hustling man. with good
humored, vulgar face. liable 10 sub
selvient pucker: ne wore II directly at
sight OF hne woman. fine clothes, fine
footmen. and fine horses
mir. Coyne. ! believe" said Lady Bas-
sect. with a fascinating smile.
at your service. madam"
MAY j have a word in private with
yDi. sir?"
Certainly, madam"
I'VE have come a long way. May the
horses be fed?"
Il am afraid" said the little man apo
logt tIcally. II must ask you 10 send them
t. the inn II is close by"
"By all means" (To one OF the out
riders.D You will wait here for orders"
Mary Wells had already been instruct
ed t. wait In the hall and look out sharp
for Sir Charles keeper and nurse, and
tell them her ladyship wanted to speak
10 them privately, and IT would be money
ir their way
Lad; Bassett, closeted with Mr.. Coyne.
began first TO congratulate herself. "Mr.
Bassett" said she. lis no friend OF mine.
but he has done me a kindness In send
ing SIR Charles here, when he might have
ssnt him TO some place where he might
have been made worse instead OF better.
Hcie. conclude, gentlemen OF your
ability Will soon cure his trifiing disorder,
VIII you not7'
II have good hopes, your ladyship; he
Is betttr today"
Now ! dare say YOU could tell me to
a month when he will be cured =
"oh, your ladyship exaggerates my
skull too much"
Three months?'
THAT is a short time 10 give us; but
your ladyship may rely on II we will do
our best"
result oh, by the bye, DR.. Willis want
ell ne TO take a message 10 you, Mr..
Coyne. He knows you by reputation"
Indeed. Really / was not aware that
my humble"
Then you are better Nr$wn than you
In your modesty supposed. Let me see
what Is the message? oh. II was a pc
cuiarity in Sir Charles he wished you TO
know. DR.. Willis has attended him from
o Ia aha 70 t.,Il bn
me rphia and other sedatives have some
very bad effects on him. / tod DR.. Willis
you would probably find that and every
thing else out without hint fiom him or
any one else
YES; but will make a note OF II. for
all that"
THAT Is very kind OF you. IL will hat-
ter the doctor. the more so as he has so
high an opinion OF you. But now, Mr..
Coyne. ! suppose II am very good, and
promise TO soothe him. and not excite him,
/ may see my husband today?'
Certainly. madam. You have an order
from the person who
II forgot to bring It with me. relied
on your humanity"
That Is unfortunate. I am afraid, /
must not" He hesitated, looked very un-
comfortable, and said he would consult
Mr.. Appleton: then. suddenly puckering
his face into obsequiousness, Would
your ladyship like TO inspect some Of our
arrangements for the comfort OF our pa
tients2'
Lady Bassett would have declined the
proposal but for the singular play of
countenance; she was herself all eve and
mind. so she said gravely: II shall be
very happy, SIR"
Mr.. Coyne then led the way. and show
ed her a large sitting room, where some
IL - a
tions and amusements: they kept more
apart from each other than ladies do in
general, but this was the only sign q far
more experienced observer than Lady
Bassett could have discovered. the nurses
having sprung from authoritative into
unobtrusive positions at the sound OF MIR
Coynes footstep outside.
What" said Lady Bassett; ARE all
these ladies'" She hesitated.
Every one. said Mr.. Coyne. land
some incurably."
"Oh. please let us retire; | have nc
right TO crafty my curiosity. Poor
thinRsi they don't seem unhappy"
unhappy" said Mr.. Coyne. I'VE don't
allow unhappness here; our doctor is toe
fond of them he is always contrivins
10 please them"
At this moment Lady Bassett looked uI
and saw a woman watching her over the
rail OF corridor on the nrst floor. She
recognized the face directly. The woman
made her rapid signal. and then disap.
peared into one OF the rooms
Would there be any objection 20 oui
going upstairs. Mr. Coyne? said Lady
Bassett. with a calm voice. and a heart
humping violently.
''Oh. none whatever. I'll conduct YOU
but then am afraid must leave you FOL
a time"
He showed her upstairs. blew a whistle
handed her over 10 an attendant, and
bowed and smiled himself away gro
tesquely
Jones was the very keeper she had fed
last visit She flushed with Joy az sight of
bull-necked. burlv Jones. oh Mr..
Jones' said she. putting her hands TO-
gether with look that might have melted
a hangman.
Jones winked. and watched Mr. coyne
out OF sight
Il have seen your ladyships maid"
said Jones conhdentially. 1T Is all right.
Mr. Coyne have got the blinkers on. Only
pass me your word not 20 excite him"
"Oh, no, sir: | will soothe him" And
she trcnbled all over
Sally" cried Jones'