The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-17
(Con tinued.)
CHAPTER XVIII.

Mary Wells like other uneduca ted
women. was not accustomed TO think
long and earnestly on any one subject
20 use an expression she once apple I'd
with far less justice TO her sister, her
mind was like running water.
But CESSATION affects the brains OF
such women. and makes them think more
steadily. and sometimes very acutely; /;
added TO which. the peculiar dangers and
difficulties that beset this girl during that
anxious period stimulated her wits 10 the
very utmost Often she sat quite still
for hours at time. brooding and brood
ing. and asking herself how she could
Not so much does mental force depend
on that exercise OF keen and long atten-
ton. in which her sex is generally de-
, ncient, that this young woman's powers
: we're more than doubled since the day
she first discovered her condition. and
began TO work her brains night and day
for her defense.
Gradually, as events / have related un-
folded themselves she caught a glimpse
; OF this idea, that IL she could get her
mistress To have a secret her mistress
would help her TO keep her own. Hence
her insidious whispers. and her consta II
praise OF Mr.. Angelo. who. she saw. was
infatuated with Lady Bassett. Yet this
designing creature was actually fond Of
, her mistress; and so strangely COMPOUND
ed Is heart OF this low kind that the
extraordinary step she now took was
half -affectionate impulse half -egotistical
design.
She made motion with her hand m
viting Lady Bassett to listen, and step
ped into Sir Charles room
Z "Childless! chidless, childless!"
Hush. sir" said Mary Wells. Don I
say so. We shan't be many months
without one. please heaven"
Sir Charles shook his head sadly.
Don't you believe me?"
No"
what did ever tell you a lie?"
NO; but you are mistaken. She would
have told me-"
We'll. sir. my lady is young and shy.
and I think she Is afraid, Of disappoint-
ing you after all: for you know. sir.
there's many a slhp twixt the cup and
the lip. But tbs as tell you, sir"
Sir Charles was much agitated. and he
ad Il hs ss wss wssa se sE Where 0nans is % aarns
wife? Why do hear this through SER
vant7"
rf Mary wells cast n look AT the door, ana
said: for Lady Bassett TO hear. She is
receiving company. Now. sir. have told
you good news; will you do something TO
oblige me? You shouldn't speak or II
direct TO my lady just yet: and IL you
want all to go we'll you mustn't vex
my lady. as you are doing now. What |
mean, you mustn't be so downhearted-
there's no reason for't-and you mustn't
coop yourself up on this floor; IL sets the
folks talking, and worries my lady. You
should give her every chance. being the
way she is"
sir Charles said eagerly he would not
vex her for the world. 'I'll walk In the
garden. said he: but as for going abroad
you know / am not in fit condition yet;
my mind Is clouded.'
Not as / see
"Oh. not always. But sometimes a cloud
seems TO get into my head; and IL was
in public / might do or say something
.discredita BILE. | would rather die"
La. sirl" said Mary Wells. in a broad.
hearty way--"a cloud In your head.
You've mad bad fall and a At at top
ont and no wonder your poor head do
ache at times. You'll outgrow that-if
you take the air and give over fretting
about t'other thing. tell you you'll
hear the music OF a chiid's voice. and lit
tie feet a-pa ttering up and down this here
corridor, before very long-if so be you
take my advice. and leave off ftettng
my lady with fretting yourself You
should consider: she is too fond OF you TO
be well when you be H."
: 'Ill get we'll for her sake" said Sir
Charles firmly.
the door. Mary Wells opened II so that