The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-04
CHAPTER XII

CHAPTER XII
(Continued.)
ssMr Bassett-I am sure both yourself
and my husband will suffer in public esti-
nation, unless some friend comes in be-
tween you. and this unhappy lawsuit IS
given up.
do not think me blind nor presumpt-
nous: Sir Charles. when he wrote that
letter. had reason 10 believe you had done
him deep injury by unfair means. Many
will share that opinion II this case ~
tried. You are his cousin, and his heir
at-iaw. i dread to see an unhappy feud
tnfamed by a public trial. Is there no
personal sacrifice by which | can com
pensate the affront you have received.
without compromising Sir Charles Bas-
sett's veracty. who is the soul OF honor?
] am, yours obedientl. .,
She posted this letter. and Richard Bas-
sett had no sooner received IL than he
mounted his horse and rode 10 Wheeler
That worthy's eyes sparkled. "capitalr''
said he. I'VE must draw her on, and
write an answer that will be read In
court"
He concocted an eplstle just the oppo-
site OF what Ricnard Bassett left TO him-
self. would have written. Bassett copied
and sent II as his own.
Lady Bassett--I thank you for writing
70 me at this moment, when ] am weigh
ed down by slander. Your own charac-
ter stands so high that you would not
deign 10 write 10 me II you believed the
abuse that has been lavished on me With
you i deplore this family feud. II Is
not of my seeking, and as for this law
suit, IL is one In which the plaintiff is
really the defendant. Sir Charles has
written a defamatory letter. which has
closed every house in this county 10 his
victim. IT, as | now feel sure; you Siro diso -
retract H. The rest our lawyers can
settle. Yours very respectfully.
RICHARD BASSETT."
When Lady Bassett read this, she saw
she had an adroit opponent. Yet /he
wrote again
Mr. Bassett-There are limits to my
influence with Sir Charles. / have no
power 10 make him say one word against
his convictions.
But my lawyer tells me you seek pc
cuniary compensation for an anront; 4
offer you out of my own means. which
are ample. that which you seek-offer II
freely and heartily, and honestly think
you had better receive IL from me than
expose yourself TO the risks and mort-
fcations OF a public trial / am. yours
obediently BELLA BAsSETT."
Lady Bassett-You have fallen into a
very natural error. II is true sue Sir
Charles Bassett for money. but that is
only because the law allows me my rem
edy in no other form. What really brings
me into court is the defense OF my IN
-Jured honor. Hew do YOU meet me You
say. virtually. Never mind your char
acter. here is money. Permit me TO
decline II on such terms pubic IN
suit cannot he cured In private.
Strong in my innocence and my wrongs
court what you call the risks OF pub
lie trial
Whatever the result. you have played
the honorable and womanly part OF peace
maker; and II is unfortunate for your
husband that your gentle influence Is linn
tied by its vanity. which perseveres In
cruel slander, instead OF retracting 1t
while there is yet time.
IL am, madam, yours obediently
RICHARD BASSETT."
"Mr Bassett--I retire from corre-
epondence which appears TO be useless,
and might. II prolonged. draw some
bitter remark from me, as II has from
you.
after the trial. which you court and |
deprecate. you will perhaps review my
letters with a more friendly eye
II am. yours obediently.
BELLA BASSETT"
In this fencing math between q law
yer and a lady each gained an advan-
tage. The lawyers letters as might have |
been expected were the best adapted TO
be read TO a jury; but the lady, subtler
in her way, obtained at a small sacri- /
fee, what she wanted. and that without |
raising the slightest suspicion OF her true |
motive In the correspondence.
She announced her success TO Mr. Old |
with terror at the thought Of what Sir |
Charles would say 10 her for writing TO
Mr.. Bassett at all.
She now. with the changeanleness OF |
her sex hoped and prayed Mr. Bassett |
would admit the anonymous letter. and |
so all her subtiety and pains prove super
fiuous
Quaking secretly. but with lovely /
face and serene form, she took her place |
at the asszes before the Judge. and got /
as near him as she could. The court /
was crowded and many ladies present.
Bassett v. Bassett was called In a loud /
voice: there was hum OF excitement, |
then a silence OF expectation. and the /
plaintiffs counsel rose 10 address the !
jury.
CHAPTER XII
May II please your Lordship, Gentle |
men OF the Jury--The plaintf In this
case is Richard Bassett Esquire. the |
direct and lneal representative OF that
old and honorable family whose monu- |
ments are TO be seen I'm several churches /
n this country, and whose estates are |
the largest. believe. In the country He l
would have succeeded. as a matter OF |
,ourse. TO those estates. but for an ar
-angement made only year before he
was born, by which. contrary 20 nature
and Justice, he was denuded OF those
sstates. and they passed to the defend
ant The defendant Is in nowise 20
blame for that piece OF Injustice: but he
prohts by IT, and IL might be expected
that his good fortune would soften his
heart toward his unfortunate relative.
say that n uncommon tenderness might
be expected 20 be shown by anybody 70
this deserving and unfortunate gentle
man " would be by Sir Charles Bassett.
VINO enjoys his cousins ancestral estates
end can 60 well appreciate what that
cousin mas lost by no fault OF his own"
Hear, hearY'
Silence In the COURT
The Judge-I must request that there
may be no manifestation of feeling
COUNSEL will endeavor 20 provoke