The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-05
(Continued.)
n D...-.t .s~.-I


What. of marriage7'
Ruperta nodded archly.
ITO child like you? scandaicus. No.
for. after all. you look 10 or 20. And who
ts the highwayman that thinks to rob me
OF ny precious girl?'
"well. papa. whoever he is. he will have
to wait three years. and so told him. IL
Is my Cousin Compton"
What" cried Richard Bassett. 80
loudly that the girl started back dismsy-
ed That little monkey have the impu-
denoe TO offer marriage to my daughter
Surely. Ruperta. you have offered him no
encouragement
"N-no."
"Your mother promised me nothing but
common civility should pass between you
and that young gentleman"
q. "She promised for me- but she could not
promise for him. poor little fellowr'
MARRY a son OF the man who has
robbed and insulted your father7'
soh. papa, is II so? Are you sure you
"If YOU can think that n is useless 10
say more. | thought ill-fortune had done
its worst; but no: blow upon blow. and
wound upon wound. Don't spare me. child.
Nobody else has. and why should your
Marry my enemy's SON. HIS younger son.
and break your fathers heart"
At this, what could sensitive girl OF
is 10 but burst out crying. and promise,
arcund her fathers neck. never to marry
am one whom he disliked.
When she had made This promise her
father fondled and petted her. and his
-tepderness consoled her. for she was not
passionately In love with - cousin
Yet she cried a good deal over the let
ter in which she communicated this TO
Compton.
be lay in wait for her. but she banled
him for three weeks
After that she relaxed her vigilance. for
ehe had no real wish 10 avoid him. ana
was curious 10 see whether she had eureS
him.
He met her. and his conduct took her
by surprise. he was pale. and looked
He said solemnly. Were you testing
one but me?''
-"No. Compton. But you know. could
never marry you without pspa's consent;
might wish you 10 marry somebody
else
Then should refuse. win never
break my word TO you. cousin. am not
IN love with you, you are too young for
-that-but somehow feel could not ma>>a
YOU unhappy. Can't you trust my word!
You might. 7 come of the same people as
you. Why do you look so paie-we are
very unhappy.
Then the tears began 10 steal down her
e1seK icemp,on oo eonsulted SSte his 9 mother She
told him. with a sigh. she was powerless.
Sir Charles might yield 10 her, but she
had no power TO influence Mr.. Bassett at
present. THE time may come. said she.
She could not take a very serious view
OF this amouG. except with regard to It's
pacific results So Mr.. Bassetts opposi-
ton chilled her In the matter.
= While things were so something oc-
Cured that drove all these minor things
out OF her distracted heart
One sumemr evening. as she and Sir
Cha rles and Compton sat at dinner SER
want came In to say there was a stranger
az the door and he called himself Bas-
sett
:, Twhat Is he rke?" said Lady Bassett.
s'He looks like foreigner. my lady. He
says he is Ir Bassett," said the man, |
with a scandalized air.
Sir Charles got UP directly. and hurried |
TO the hall door. Compton followed Lady |
Bassett TO the door only, and looked.
Sure enough Il was Reginald. full |
grown. and bold. as handsome as ever, !
and darker than ever.
I'm that moment his misconduct In run |
ming away never occurred either 10 Sir !
Charles or Compton: all was eager and |
tremnulous welcome The hall rang with |
Joy. They almost carried him into the |
dining room.
The FIRST thing they saw was a train |
Of violet -colored velvet. half-hidden by 1
the table.
Compton ran forward with cry of dis
may.
II was Lady Bassett, In a dead swoon, /
her face as white as her neck and arms.
and these as white and smooth as satin.