The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-01
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; A TERRIBLE Temptation {
BY
CHARLES READE (
INH~NC~N
CHARLES READE

I asperate this villain the better Besides.
he slandered me behind my back: I'll have
| the writ served upon himself. I'll do ev-
erything / can. TO take him down. II a
man wants 10 be my lawyer he must en-
ter into my feelings a little"
Wheeler. to whom he was more valu-
able than ever now. consented somewhat
reluctantly. and called at Huntercoombe
hall next day with the writ. and sent in
his card.
Lady Bassett heard Of this. and asked
II II was Mr.. Bassett's friend.
The butler said he though II was.
Lady Bassett went to Sir Charles in his
study. "oh. my dear" said she. here
is Mr.. Bassetts lawyer
"Well?"
why does he come here7'
II don't know"
Don't see him"
why not?"
II am so afraid OF Mr.. Bassett He IL
n thmemtbas tTtH bgtytyptfa NJ btm
our evil genius. Let me see this person
instead OF you. May II"
Certainly not
Might | see him first, love"
You will not see him at all.
mo, Bella cannot have these ami
mails talking to my wife"
But. dear love. am so full OF forebod-
presume TO meddle but / am in torture
about this man. IL you receive him may
] be with you? Then we shall be two to
one"
mo. no." said Sir Charles testify. Then,
seeing her beautiful eyes MI at the re-
fusal and the unusual tone. he relented.
You may be in hearing II you Hike. open
that door. and sit in the little room"
"Oh, thank you"
She stepped into the room-a very small
sittins-room. She had never been In IL
before. and while she was examining II.
and thinking how she could improve its
appearance Mr.. Wheeler was shown into
the study, Sir Charles received him stand
ing To Intimate that the Interview must
be brief. This. and the time he had been
kept waiting in the hall roJfsed wheelers
brusquely than he Intended
Sir Charles Bassett, you wrote let
ter 20 Mr.. Hardwicke rejecting on my
client, Mr.. Bassett-=p most unjustihable
"Keeep your opinion to yourself. sir.
wrote a letter. calling him what he is"
mo; sir; that letter is a libel"
1T is malicious libel, sir; and we
shall punish you for IL. I hereby serve
you with thte copy Of a writ. Damages.
ave Thousand pounds
noticed by the men. for their voices were
now raised I'm anger.
And so that Is what you came here for.
Why did you not go 60 my solicitor? You
HlhSt tt db bTcdl ~ DfdGkEudFO as your
client, to serve your paltry writs on me
in my own house,
Not blackguard enough to insult
gentleman In my-own house. II you had
been civil r might have accommodateS
matters; but now I'll make you smart
ughr'
Nothing provokes a hign- spirited man
more than a menace. Sir Charles. thyat-
ened In his wife's hearing. shot out his
right arm with surprising force and ra-
pidity and Knocked Wheeler down in a
moment
In .came Lady Bassett. with scream
and saw the attorney lying doubled up.
and Sir Charles standing over him. blow
ing like grampus with rage and excite
ment.
But the next moment he staggered and
gasped. and she had to support him to a
sew She rang the bell for aid then
kneeled. and took his throbbing temples
to her wifely bosom.
Wheeler picked himself up. and seated
on his hams. eyed the pair with concen-
trated fury.
AHA You have hurt yourself more than
me. Two suits against you now instead
Of one
Conduct this person from the house.
said Lady Bassett to a servant who en-
tered that moment.
IAN right. my lady" said Wheeler
Tll remind you OF that ward when this
house belongs TO us
(To be Continued)