The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-31
cContinued.)

tience. After several vean efforts TO
restrain himself he shouldered his gun,
and. followed by his friends. went burst
ing through the larches TO Richard Bas-
sett
',Mr. Bassett." said he. this is most
ungentlemanly conduct"
What is the matter. sir? Am i on
your ground?"
mo: but you are taking a. mean ad-
vantage of our being out. Whoever
heard OF a gentleman beating his boupda-
ries the very day a neighbor was 'out
shootins, and filing them with his
-"oh. that Is it7 When justice Is against
you, you can talk OF the law. and when
law Is against you, you appeal 10 justice.
Let US be In one story or the other.
please. The Hunteroombe estates belong
20 me by birth. You have got them by
legal trickery. Keep them while you
hve. They VIII come 20 me one day.
you know. Meantime leave me my lit
tie estate oe Splatchetts. For shame,
sir: you have robbed me OF my inher-
tance and my sweetheart; do you grudge
me few cock pheasants? why You have
made me so poor they are an object TO
me now!'
'Oh!" said Sir Charles, 'ff you are
stealing my game 10 keep body and soul
together, ] pity you. In mat case, per-
haps you will let my friends help you
. I'LL your larder."
Richard Bassett hesitated a moment;
but Wheeler. who had drawn near at the
sound of raised voices made him a signal
70 assent
by all means" said he adrotly "Mr
Markham. your father often shot with
mine over the Bassett estates. You are
welcome to poor little Splatchet's' Keep
your men or. Sir Charles; they are noisy
hsf nj A. Ao-
Here. Tom, Bill beat for the gentlemen
They shall have the sport. / only want
the birds"
Sir Charles drew back. and saw pleas
ant after pheasant thunder and whir In
the air. then collapse at a report. and fall
like lead. followed by a shower of feath-
ers.
His friends seemed 10 be deserving him
for Richard Bassett He left them in
charge Of his keepers and went slowly
home.
He said nothing to Lady Bassett TIL
night and then she got II all from him.
She was very indignant at many OF the
things; but as for Sir Charles all his
cousins arrows glided off that high
minded gentleman. except one. and that
one auivered in his heart Yes. Bella" 4"
said he. "he told me he should inherit
these estates. That Is because we are not
blessed with children"
Lady Bassett sighed. But we shall
be some day. Shall W. not,''
God knows" said SIR Charles gloom
fly. II wonder whether there was really
anything unfair done on our side when
the entail was cut ofY7"
''Is that likely. dearest7 Why7"
Heaven seems to be on his side
ION the side OF wicked man?"
"But he may be the father OF innocent
children 50
"He will marry. he will not throw
chance away. 1t makes my head
dizzy and my heat sick. Bella. now
can understand two enemies alone in
eome solitary place. and one killing the
other In a moment OF rage; for when this
scoundrel insulted me i remembered this
anonymous letter. and all his relentless
malice. Bella, I could have raised my
gun and shot him like a weasel"
Lady Bassett screamed family. and
nuns her arms around his neck. "Oh.
Charles, pray 10 God against such
thoughts. You shall never 60 near that
man again. Don't think Of our disap-
pointment: think OF all the blessings we
enjoy. Never mind that wretched mans
hate. Think OF your wife's love. Have
/ not more power 10 make you happy
than he has to afflict you, my adored?'
These sweet words were accompanied by
a wife's divine caresses. with the honey
of her voice and sbe liquid sunshine Of
her loving eyes. Sir Charles slept peace
fully for that night. and forgot his one
grief and his one enemy for a time.
Not so Lady Bassett. She lay awake
all night and thought deeply OF Richard
Bassett and ''hs unrelenting. impenitent
malice" Women OF her fine fibre when
they think long and earnestly on one
thing. have often dyinations. The dark
future seems TO be lit moment at a
time by flashes OF lightning. and they dis
cern the indstinct forms Of events 10
come. And so II was with Lady Bas-
sett: In the stilly night terror OF the
future and Richard Bassett crept over
her-a terror disproportioned TO his past
acts and apparent power. Perhaps she
was oppressed by having an enemy-she.
who was born to be loved At all events
she was full OF feminine divinations and
forebodlngs, and saw. by flashes. many
poisoned arrow fly from that culver and
strike the beloved breast. II had already
discharged one that had parted them
for a time. and nearly killed Sir Charles.
Daylight cleared away much of the
dark terror. but left a sober dread and n
strange resolution. This timid creature.
stimulated by love. determined to watch
the foe, and defend her husband with all
passed through her head but were re-
jected, because, II Love said. do Won
ders," Timidity said, 10 nothing that
you have not seen other wives do"
So she remained. scheming. and long
ing and fearing, and passive all day.
Bot the next da veshe conceived vague
idea. and. ell I'm heat. rang for her
maid While the maid was coming she
fen 70, bushing at her own boldness.
and Just az the maid opened the door.
her thermometer fell so low that-she
cent her upstairs for a piece OF work
on, lame and impotent conclusioni
Just before luncheon she chanced 10
look through window, and 10 see the
head gamekeeper crossing the park. and
coming 10 the house Now this was the
very man she wanted 90 speak TO. The
sudden temptation surprised her out of
her fimidty. SHE rang the ben again,
and sent for the man.
The Colossus wondered in his mind. and
felt uneasy at an invitation so novel.
However, he ciattered IN the morning
room. In his velveteen coat. and leathern