The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-08


a. for his hobby. that was on her side.
Now. learning TO read and write was
wormwood 10 Mary Wells but the prize
was so great She knew all about the
Huntercombe estates, partly from her
sister, partly from Bassett himself (He
must tell his wrongs even 10 this GRID
So she resolved TO pursue matrimony.
even on the severe condition OF becoming
scholar. one day that she was doing
Lady Bassett's hair she sighed several
times. This was 10 attract the sdy's
attention. and IL succeeded.
us there anything the matter. Mary?"
No my lady"
Il think there is.
We'll my lady. | am in little trou-
bile; but IL is my own peoples fault for
not sending OF me to school. l might be
married tomorrow II could only read
and write.
And can you not?"
NO my lady.
Dear me! thought everybody could
read and write nowadays
la. no. my lady! not half OF them In
our village"
Your parents are much 10 blame, my
poor girl Well. but II is not too late.
Now | think of H. there Is an adult
school In the village. Shall arrange for
you 10 go to it?'
Thank you, my lady. But then
"well?"
IAN my fellow servants would have
laugh against me-
THE person you are engaged TO. will
he not instruct your
"Oh he have no time TO teach me.
Besides. | don't want him 10 know,
either. But | wont be his wife 10 shame
him" (Another sigh)
Mary" said Lady Bassett, in the in
nocence Of her heart. you shall not be
mortified. and you shall not lose good
marriage. | will teach you myself.
Mary was profuse In thanks. Lady Bas-
sett received them rather coldly She
gave her a few minutes instruction I'm
her dressing room every day and Mary.
who could not have done anything intel
lectual for half an hour at stretch. gave
her whole mind for these few minutes
She was quick. and learned very fast.
In two months she could read great
deal more than she could understand. and
could write slowly hut very clearly.
Now by this time Lady Bassett had De-
come so interested I'm her pupil that she
made her read letters and newspapers 10
her at those parts OF the toilet when her
services were not required,
Mary Wells though a great chatterpox'
was the closest girl I'm England Limpets
never stuck to rock as she could SUCK
to lie She never said one word TO Bas-
kept strict silence till she could write
letter: and then she sent him line TO
say she had learned TO write for love OF
him and she hoped he would keep his
promise Bassetts vanity was fiattered
by this But on reflection he suspected ~
was a falsehood He asked her suddenly,
al their next meeting, who had written
that note for her.
You shall see me write the fellow 10 ~
IL 10
Bassett resolved 10 submit the matter to
that test some day. At present. however.
he took her word for IL, and asked her
who taught her.
II had 10 teach myself Nobody cares
enough for me 10 teach me. Well. Ill Tor
give YOU II you will write me nice letter
for mine
what when we can meet here and say
everything"
mo matter: I have written 10 you, and
YOU might write To me They all get let
ters. except me: and the tades hold EN-
up Ia me; they see never get one When
Won are out post nfe a letter now and
then. IT will cost you only penny I'm
sure don't ask you for much
Bassett humored her In this, and In one
of his letters called her his wife that was
10 he. This pleased her so much that the
next time they met she hung round his
neck with good deal OF feminine grace.
Richard Bassett was q man who now
lived I'm the future Everybody In the
country believed he had written that
anonymous letter, and he had no hope OF /
shining hy his own light. II was bitter TO
resign his personal hopes: but he did and
sullenlv resolved to he obscure himself
but the father OF the future heirs Of
Huntercomhe lie would marry Mary
Wells. and lay the blame OF the match
upon Sir Charles, who had blackened
him In the county. and put II out OF his
power 10 win a ladys hand.
lie told Wheeler he was determined 20
marry hut had not the courage to tell
him all at once what wife he had select
ed The consequence Of this half confess
sion was that Wheeler went TO work TO
find a girl with money, and not under
county influence.
one Of Wheelers clients was retired
citizen. living I'm a pretty villa near the
market town. Mr. Wright employed him
in little matters, and found him active
and attentive. There was a Miss Wright.
n meek little girl pahsh, on whom her
father dotted. Wheeler talked to this girl
OF his friend Bassett. his virtues and his
wrongs. and interested the young lady In
him. This done. he brought him TO the
house. and the girl being slight and
delicate, gazed with gentle but undis-
guised admiration on Bassetts torso.
Wheeler had told Richard Miss Wright
was 10 have seven thousand pounds on
her wedding day. aud that excited a cor
responding admiration In the athletic
gentleman.
After that Bassett often called by
himself, and the father encouraged the
intimacy. He was old. and wished to see
his daughter married before he left her.
and this seemed an eligible match,
though not a brilliant one: a bit OF land
and good name on one side. smart bit
OF money on the other. The thing went on
wheels. Richard Bassett was engaged 10
Jane Wright almost before he was aware
Now he felt uneasy about Mary Wells.
very uneasy: but II was only the uneasi-
ness Of selhshness
He began 20 try and prepare; he AFFECT
"a business visits 20 distant places. etc.