The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-15

/ Mary Wells cried with her and said she
wnstld stay as long as she could: but said
she, 81 gave you good advice, my lady,
and so you Will find
Dady Bassett made no answer what
ever. and that disappointed Mary, for
she wanted discussion.
The days rolled on and brought no
change for the better Sir Charles con-
tinued to brood on his one misfortune He
refused 10 go out OF doors. even into the
garden. giving as his reason that he was
not nj 20 be seen. II don't mind a
couple OF women" said he graveiy, but
no man shall see Charles Bassett in his
present state. No. Patience. Patience!
I'll walt till heaven takes pity on me-
After all, II would be shame that such
race as mine should die out and these
fine estates go 10 blackguards. and
poa achers, and anonymous-ietter writer's ="
Lady Bassett used 10 coax him TO walk
In the corridor: but, even then. he order
ed Mary Wells to keep watch and let
none OF the servants come that way
From words he let fall. II seems hss
thought "Childlessness" was written on
his face. and that IL had somehow de-
graded his features
Now n wealthy and popular baro-
net could not thus immure himself for
any length OF time without exciting GU
riosity and setting all manner OF rumors
afioat. Visitors poured into Huntercomb be
20 inquire
Lady Bassett excused herself 10 many
but some OF her own sex she thought II
best 10 encounter. This subjected her TO
the insidious attacks OF curiosity admir-
ably veiled with sympathy. The assail-
ants were marvelously subtle, but so was
the devoted wife. She gave kiss for kiss
and equivoque She seemed grateful to-
each visit: but they got nothing out of
her except that Sir Charles nerves were
shaken by his fall. and that she was
playing the tyrant for once. and insisting
on absolute quiet for her patient
One visitor she never refused-Mr An
gelo. He. from the first. had been her
true friend; had carried Sir Charles away
from the enemy. and then had dismissed
the gaping servants She saw that he
had OWNED her calamity. and sne knew
from things he said 10 her that he would
never breathe a word out Of doors She
confided In him. She told him Mr.. Bas-
sett was the real cause OF all this mis-
cry: he had insulted Sir Charles. Tho
nature OF this insult she suppressed.
And. oh. Mr.. Angelo" said she. that
man is my terror night and day. ! don't
know what he Will do. but feel he viii
do something II he ever learns my poor
husbands condition.
II trust Lady Bassett. you are con
vinced he will learn nothing from me.
Indeed I will tell the rufian anything
you like. He has been sounding me a 1T
tie: called 10 inquire after his poor
cousin-the hypocrite"
How good you are Please tell him
absolute repose is prescribed for time
but there Is no doubt OF Sir Charles ul-
innate recovery"
Mr.. Angelo promised heartily
Mary Wells was not enough; a wonla n
must have a man 10 lean on in trouble
and Lady Bassett leaned on Mr.. An
gelo. She even obeyed him. One day he
told her that her own health would fail
II she sat always In the sick room; she
must walk an hour every day.
Must II" said she sweetly.
Yes. even II IL is in your own gar
den.
From that time she used to walk with
him nearly an hour every day.
Richard Bassett saw this from his
tower OF observation: saw a. and
chuckled Aha" said he. Husband
sick In bed. wife walking In the gar
den with young mana parson too.
He is dark she is fair. Something will
come OF this, Ha. ha,'
Lady Bassett now talked Of sending 10
London for advice: but Mary Wells dis
suaded her. "Physic can't cure him.
There is only one can cure him, and