The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-28
(Continued.)

This correspondence led eventually TO
some unexpected results; but am
obliged to interrupt II for a time, while
I deal with a distinct series Of events
which began about five weeks after
Lady Bassett's visit TO Mr.. Rolfe. and
will carry the reader forward beyond
the date we have now arrived at.
II was the little dining room at High
more; a low room, OF modest size. plain
ly furnished. An enormous fireplace. paw
ed with plain tiles, on which were placed
iron dogs; only wood and roots were
burned in this room.
Mrs Bassett had just been packed off
10 bed by marital authority: Bassett and
Wheeler sat smoking pipes and slipping
whisky and water. Bassett professed
TO like the smell OF peat smoke In whis-
key: what he really liked was the price.
After a few silent whiffs. said Bas-
sett II didn't think they would take II
so quietly: did your"
"Wen, 4 really did not But after all.
what can they do? They are evidently
afraid to go TO the court OF chancery.
and ask for a jury IN the asylum; and
what else can they do?"
"Humph. They might arrange an es-
cape. and hide him for IA days; then we
could not recapture him without fresh
certificates. could we?'
Certainly not"
And the doors would be too well
guarded: not a crack for two doctors
TO creep In at"
You go too fast You know the law
from me, and you are daring man that
would try this sort of thing; but a tim
ID woman. advised by a respectable mum
like oldheld! They will never dream OF
such a thing"
"Oldheld Is not her head man. She has
got another adviser. and he is the very
man TO do something plucky."
"I don't know who you mean"
Her lover? Lady Bassett's lover!''
"Ay. the young parson."
Wheeler smiled satirically. You GER
tainly are A good hater. Nothing Is too
bad for those you don't like. II tAt;
Lady Bassett is not a true wife, where
will you find one?''
"sne is the most decettful Jade IN
England"
"Oh. OH
"Ahl you may sneer So you have for
eotten how she has outwitted US. Did
the devil himself do a cunninger thing
than that? tempting a fellow into a
correspondence that seemed piece of
folly on her part, yet II was a deep dia-
boiics. trick TO get my handwriting. J III
you sec hor gamer No more THAI. iii
You csucked at her writing letters 10
tne rialnuff pendente lite. Ne were
b)th children. setting our wits against
a woman's. ] tell you i dread her. es-
pecially when / see her so unnaturally
quiet, after what We have done. When
you hook large salmon. and he makes
a great commotion. but all OF a sudden
lies like a stone, be on yeur guard; he
means mischief
WELL" said Wheeler this is all very
true, but you have strayed from the
point What makes you think she has All
improper attachment
lis II so very unnatural?" He is the
handsomeest fellow about. she Is the
loveliest woman: he is dark. she is fair
and they are thrown together by circum-
stances Another thing; / have always
understood that women admire the quail
ties they don't possess themselves
strength. for instance. Now this parson is
a Hercules He took Sir Charles up like
a boy, and carried him in his arms all the
way from where he had the At. Lady Bas-
sett walked beside them. Rely on II, a
woman does not see one man carry an
other so without making a comparison in
favor OF the strong. and against the weak.
But what am talking about? They walk
like lovers. those two
What. hand In hand? he. he!''
mo. side by side: but yet like lovers for
all that"
You must have a good eye"
II have a good era-glass."
Mr. Wheeler smoked In silence.
We'll. but" said he. after a pause. 'if
this is so. all the better for you. Don I
you see that the lover will never really
help her 70 get the husband out OF con-
finement? 1t is not In the nature OF
things. He may struggle with his own
conscience bit, being a clergyman, but
he won't go too far: he won't break the
law 10 get Sir Charles home, and so end
the charming duets with his lady love-
by Jove. you are right" cried Bassett.
convinced in his turn. 81 say. old fellow,
two heads are better than one. think we
have got the clew, between us. Yes, by
heaven! II IL so; for the carriage used to
be out twice a week, but now she only
goes out about once In ten days BY and
by IL will be once a fortnight, then once
a month, and the blue-eyed rector will
preach patience and resignation. oh, IL
was master stroke, clapping him I'm that
asyluml All we have got to do now Is TO
let well alone. When she Is over head and
ears In love with Angelo she will come 10
easy terms with U.S. and so I'll move