The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-19
(Continued.)

(Continued)
Next day Lady Bassett with instructive
curiosity, asked Master Reginald how he
came to put such question as that TO
Mr., Rolfe.
Because | wanted to know"
but what put such words into your
head? I never heard gentleman say
such words: and you must never say
them again, Reginald"
.Ten me what It means. and won't"
said he.
oh" said Lady Bassett. since you
bargain with me. sir. | must bargain
with you. Tell me first where you ever
heard such words"
.slvhen I was staying at nurses All,
that was jolly
''You IKE that better than being here?'
'Yes."
Il am sorry for that. Well, dear. did
nurse say that? Surely. not?'
ooh, no: It was the man"
'.what man?'
.'yyhy. the man that came to the gate
one morning. and talked to me. and
talked 10 him. and that nasty nurse run
out and caught us, and carried me In,
and gave me such a hiding. and all for
nothing -,
"A hfd..lg! What words the poor child
picks up
"But don't understand why nurse
should beat you
For speaking TO the man. she SAID ne
was bad man. and she would Kill me IT
over spoke TO him again
"Oh IL was n bad man, and said bad
words--to somebody he was quarreling
with"
mo. he said them to nurse, because she
took me away.
'.yyhat did he say. Reginald?'' asked
Lady Bassett becoming very grave and
thoughtful all AT once.
',He said. That's too late; I've seen the
persons's brat.
Ohw
'sAnd I've asked nurse again and again
what It meant but she won't tell me.
She only says the man is liar. and |
am not to say II again; and so did never
cay II agaIn-for a long time; but last
nIaht. when Rolfe the writer said he
knew everything. IT struck my head
what IL the matter, mamma?
'.Nothing; nothing"
'sYou look so white. Are you Ill, man.
MAJ and ne went 10 put his arms around
her. which was a mighty rare thing with
him.
She trembed a good deal and did not
either embrace him or repel him. She
only trembled.
After some time she recovered herself
enough TO say In voice and with man
ner that impressed itself at once on this
sharp boy: Reginald. your nurse was
right Understand this; the man was
your enemy-and mine the words he said
YOU must not say again. II would be
like taking up dirt and iinging some on
your own face and some on mine.
II won't do that" said the boy firmly.
'Are YOU afraid OF the man, that you
look so whittier
"a man with a womans tongue-wno
can help fearing?"
rDon't you be afraid. as soon as / am
big enough. I'll Kill him
Lady Bassett looked with surprise at the
child he uttered this resolve with such
a Steady resolution.
she drew him to her, and kissed him on
thf forehead a..
nox shed blood: u is as wicked 10 kill our
entrnies az to kill any one else
rI3ut never speak TO him. never even
listen To him. II he tries 20 speak TO you,
run away from him. and don't let him
he Is our enemy.
That same day she went 20 Mrs. Mey-
rick. tc examine her But she found the
Mrs Meyrick whose affection for her
was not diminished. was downright vexed.
Dear me- said she: IL aid think had
krpt that from vexing OF YOU. To think
os.the dear child hiding It for night two
years. and then TO blurt It out like thatl
NOBODY heard him, | hope?"
i"Others heard but
ssDldnt heed: the Lord be praised for
thsL"
@%,,Mary," said Lady Bassett solemnly.
81 am not equal To another battle with
Mr, Richard Bassett; and such battle!
Hetter tell all. and die
ErDons think Of it," said Mary. You re
sAfe from Richard Bassett now. Times
are changed since he came spying to my
gAte His own boy Is gone. You have
gtt two. He'll lie stll II you do. But
itsyou tell your tale. he must hear ont.
aid he'll tell his For Gods sake. my
lddy. keep close 1t is the curse Of
woman that they can't just hold their
tongues, and see how things turn. And
ia this time to SPIN good liquor? Look
at Sir Charles why, he is another man:
he have got nesh on his bones now, and
color into his cheeks. and twas you and
] made a man OF him. II IL my belief.
you'd never have had this other little
angle but for us having sense and cour-
age 10 see what must be done, Knock
down our own work, and send him wild
handler You'll never be so mad.
Lady Bassett replied The other ans
wered: and 60 powerfully that Lady Bas-
sett yielded and wenf home sick at heart.
bit helpless. and In sea Of doubt
Mr. Angelo did not call Sir Charles
asked Lady Bsssett II ne had called on
her.
She said No"
'iThat is odd" said sir Charles Per
hape he thinks we ought 70 welcome him
home Write and ask him to dinner
r'Yes dear. or you can write7"
VERY we'll. I will. No ! will call"
Sir Charles called. and welcomed him
home and asked him 20 dinner. Angelo
received him rather stiffly at first. but ac-
cepted his in ttatlon
he came. looked a good deal older ana
grayer: but almost as handsome as ever
only somewhat changed I'm mind. He had
become n jealous clergyman. and his roui
appeared to be IN his work He was dis