The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-22
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3 A TERRIBLE Temptation {
BY
= CHARLES READE
; :
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CHARLES READE
(Continued.)

vist you only once more before his mar
rage, just to shake hands and part. with
mutual friendship and good wishes"
s"You are right" said she. softly; best
for US both, and only fair to the girl"
Then with sudden and eager curiosity.
lis she very pretty?"
II don't know"
What, hasn't he told your"
He says she Is lovely and every way
adorable; but then he Is in love The
chances are she Is not half SO handsome
as yourself"
And yet he is in love with herr"
over head and care.
II don't believe 1t. II he was really
just TO another. / couldn't He'll be
coming back TO me In few months"
God forbid"
THANK you, old gentleman"
Mr.. Oldfeld began to stammer excuses.
She interrupted him: "Oh. bother ali
that. like you none the worse Tor
speaking your mind" Then after pause,
Now. excuse me; but suppose Sir
Charles could change his mind, and never
sign this paper?"
81 pleoge my professional creiit'
5a'That't enough sir, l see 4 can trust
sou. Well, then. | consent 10 break on
with Sir Charles, and only see him once
more-as a friend. Poor Sir Charles!
hope he will be happy" (she squeezed
out tear for lhim)-'happier than | am.
And when he does come he can sign the
deed you know.
Mr.. Oldheld left her, and joined Sir
Charles at Longs. as had been previous
Is agreed.
.'It is all right. Sir Charles. she is IA
sensible girl. and VII give you no fur
ther trouble"
How did you get over the hysterics?'
1--WE dispensed with them. She saw
at once II was 10 be business. not senti-
ment. You are to pay her one more visit
TO sign and part friends. IL you please
IN make that appointment with both
parties. as soon as the deed is engrossed.
oh, by the way. she did shed tear or
two, but she dried them to ask me for
the PONIES and the brown mare
Sir Charles vanity was mortified. But
he laughed 1t of and said she should
| have them, OF course.
so now his mind was at ease, his con-
science was at rest, and he could give
his whole time where he had given his
heart.
Richard Bassett learned. through the
Servant that the wedding dresses were
ordered. He called on Miss Somerset.
She was out.
Polly opened the door. and gave him
look of admiration-due to his fresh
color-that encouraged him 10 try and
enlist her In his service
He questioned her. and she told him
in general way how matters were
going. But" said she, why not come
and tolk 20 her yourself? Ten TO one but
she tells you. She is pretty outspoken. V
MY pretty dear" said Richard, ''she
never will receive me-.
Er'Oh. but I'll make her" said Polly
ArAnd she did exert her influence as fol-
fows:
"I.ookee here the cousins a-coming to-
morrow, and I've been and promised he
should see you"
What did you do that for?"
h."Why. he's n well-looking chap, and a
beautiful color. fresh from the country
like me. And he's a gentleman, and got
an estate belize; and why not pu
yourn to hisn. and so marry him and be
lady7 You might have me about We al
the samc. TIL my turn comes"
NO no." said Rhoda: that's not the
man for me- II ever ] marry. n mus
be one OF my own sort, or else fool like
Marsh that ] can make slave Of
-"well, any way. you must see him, mo-
to make a fool OF me. for | did proms'
nm; which now I think ont. twas very
good OF me, for | could ind I'm my hear
to ask him down into the kitchen. instead
OF bringing him up stairs to you
'All this ended somehow, in Mr.. Bas
rett's being admitted
. To his anxious inquiry how natter
III.
and herself were parted by mutual con
sent.
n"what, after all your protestatons7 ?
said Bassett. bitterly
But Miss Somerset was not in an ira
scible humor Just then. she shrugge
her shoulders. and said:
er"Yes I remember | pat myself In
passlon. and said some ridiculous things
But one can't be always q fool. hav
come to my senses This sort Of thin
always does end you know Most q
them part enemies. but he and par
friends and well-wishers. "
And you throw me over as II l wa
nobody" sad Richard, white with anger
1"Why what are you 10 me? SAID IN
Somerset. "Oh. / see. You thought I
make a cats-paw OF me. Well you won
then"
..tr other words. YOU have been bough
off"
mo. have not. am not 10 be bougf
hy anybody-and I am not TO be insulte
by you. you runan!
e''How dare you come here and anront
lady I'm her own house-a lady whos
shoe strings your betters are ready TO "
YOU brutel IL YOU want 10 nc lanoe
proprietor, 60 and marry some ugly o
nag that's got II. and no eyesight LETT
see you're no gentleman Sir Charle
land you'll never have; better man M
got II. and means TO keep II for him ar
his. Here, POLY. folyt roiiS 'oND -
man down TO the kitchen, and teach nj
manners II you can: he IL not ht for n
drawing room. by a long chalk
Polly arrived in time 10 see the nashir
eyes, tho swelling veins. and TO hear u
fair orators peroration.
"What. YOU are in your tsntrun
again." said she. Come along, sir. Nee
must when the devil drives. You'll bret
blood-vessel some day. my lady, VI
your father afore We.
And with this homeiy suggestion. whl'
always sobered Miss Somerset. and.
deed. frightened her out 81 her wits. 81
withdrew the offender.
She did not take him into tho kitche
but into the dining-toom. and there
had long talk with her. and gave her
sovereign
She promised To inform him " anythi'
important should occur. lie went ava
wondering and scowline deeply.
Drt-n