The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-15
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3 A TERRIBLE TEMPTATION {
- BY ,
( CHARLES READE (
In
CHARLES READE

The things that startled and thrilled
Mr.. Angelo were those his Imagination
could Sc the fair mistress using. The
exquisite toilet-table. the Dresden mirror.
with It's delicate China frame mnsined
and rbboned; the great ivory andled
brushes, the array OF cut-glass, gold
mounted bottles. and all the artillery OF
beauty; the baths OF various shapes and
sizes, in which she laved her fair body ;
the bath sheets, and the profusion OF
linen fine and coarse; the bed. with it's
frilley sheets. its huge frilled pillows,
and its eider-down quilt, covered with
bright purple silk.
delicate perfume came through the
wardrobes where strata OF fine linen
from Hamburg and Belfast lay on. scent
ed herbs and this, permeating the room,
seemed the very perfume OF beauty It
self, and intoxicated the brain. Innagina-
ton conJured pictures proper to the scene
q goddess at her toilet that glorious hair
lying tumbled or the pillow, and burn
ing In contrasted color with the snowy
sheets and with the purple quilt.
From this reverfe he was awakened by
q soft voice that said. How can ever
thank you enough. sir?"
Mr.. Angelic controlled himself and
said. by sending for me whenever
pretending his danger. he added hastily.
And l fear am none whatever now a"
Then he rose TO go.
Lady Bassett gave hirn both her hands
again. and this time he kissed one OF
them, all In a furry: he could not resist
the temptation. Then he hurried away.
with his whole soul I'm a tumult. Lady
,Bassett biushed, and returned TO her
husbands side.
DR.. Willis came. heard the case. looked
rather grave and puzzled. and wrote the
Inevitable prescription; for the establish
ed theory Is that the man is cured by
drugs alone
sir Charles wandered a little while the
doctor was there. and continued TO wan
der after he was gone.
Then Mary Wells begged leave 20 sleep
in the dressing room.
Lady Bassett thanked her but said
she thought II unnecessary; a good
nights rest. she hoped. would make a
great change IN the sufferer
Mary Wells thought otherwise. and
quietly brought her little bed into the
dressing room and laid II on the floor
Her Judgment proved right; Sir Charles
was no better next day. nor the day
after. He brooded for hours at time
and. when he talked. there was an In
conference In his discourse: above all, he
seemed incapable OF talking long on any
subject. without coming back 10 the
fatal one OF his chfldlessness; and. when
IRE did return 10 this. II was sure to make
him either deeply detected. or else violent
against Richard Bassett and his son: he
swore at him. and said they were wait
ing for his shoes.
Lady Bassett's anxiety deepened: :
strange fears came over her. She put
subtle questions to the doctor: he re-
turned obscure answers. and went on
prescribing medicines that had no effect.
She looked wistfully int MARY Wells
face. and there she saw her. own thoughts
reflected
Mary" said she one day in low
voice. what do they say in the kitchen ?"
Some say one thing, some another
What can they say? They never see him.
and never shall while ! am here"
This reminded Lady Bassett that
Mary's time was up. The idea OF a
stranger taking her place. and seeing Sir
Charles In his present condition. was hor-
rible 10 her "Oh. Mary" said she
piteousiy surely you will not leave me
lust now"
do you wish me To stay. my lady?"
"Can you ask It? How can 7 hone 70
find such devotion AZ yours. such fidelity
md above all. such secrecy All. Mary
am the most unhappy lady In all Eng
land this day"
Then she began to cry bitterly, and