The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-05

A TERRIBLE TEMPTATION
CHARLES READE
~ -NH\NN%N~H>NNN(
CONTINUED

The Judge lie Is an educated man, ana
knows the duty he owes 10 God and the
defendant. Takn time. Mr.. Bassett. and
recollect. Did you write that letter?
NO my lord
Counsel waited for the Judge to note
the reply, then proceeded.
You have lately corresponded with
Lady Bassett, l Think"
Eyes. Her ladyship opened a corre-
spondence with me-"
1T is a ne," roared Sir Charles Bas-
sett from the door of the grand jury
| room.
silence in the court
The Judge-Who made that unseemly
| remark?
Sir Charles--I did, my lord My wife
| never correspouded with the cur.
] The Plaintiff-lt is only one insult more,
gentlemen. and as false as the rest. Per-
init me my lord. My own|counsel would
never have put the question would not
for the world give Lady Bassett pain. but
Sir Charles and his counsel nave extorted
open correspondence with me. and
friendly one.
The PLAINTIFFS Counsel--wir your lord
| ship ask whether that was after the de-
! fendant had written the libel?
The question was put and answered in
the affirmative.
Lady Bassett hid her face in her hands.
Sir Charles saw the movement and
| groaned aloud
| The Judge-I beg the case may not be
! encumbered with Irrelevant matter.
Counsel replied that the correspondence
would be made evidence I'm the case (To,
the witness)-"You wrote this letter to
Lady Bassett?"
And every word in it?'
! And every word in It," faltered Bas-
sett. now ashy pale. for he began 10 see
| the trap
Then you wrote this word character.
and this word injured and this w/sd-
The Judge (peevishly)-He tells you ne
wrote every word lin those letters to Lady
| Bassett. What more would you have?'
Counsel-If your lordship will be, good
enough TO examine the correspondence
| and compare those words In II have un-
| derlined with the same words In the
| anonymous letter, you will perhaps hnd
know my business better than you seem
| to think. (The counsel who ventured on
this remonstrance was a sergeant)
Brother Eitherside," said the Judge,
with charming manner, you saushed
me OF that, TO my cost, long ago, when-
ever / had you against me In a case.
Please hand me the letters"
While the Judge was making Keen
comparison. counsel continued the cross
examination.
You are aware that this letter caused
a separation between Sir Charles and the
lady he was engaged tor
II know nothing about IL"
Indeed, Well. were you acquainted
with the Miss Somerset mentioned in this
letter."
Slightly"
You have been at her house?"
once or twice.
which, Twice is double as often as
once. you know"
Twice"
mo more?"
mot that I recollect."
you wrote TO her?'
II may have"
Did you. or did you not?'
Il did" ,.
'I can't recollect at this distance or
time"
ION your oath. sir. did you not write
urging her TO CO operate with you 10 keep
SIR Charles Bassett from marrying his
affianced. Miss Bella Bruce, TO whom that
anonymous letter was written with the
same obJect?"
The perspiraton now rolled in visible
drops down the tortured liars face. Yet
still by gigantic effort he stood nrm,
and even planted blow.
Il did not write the anonymous letter
But | believe told Miss Somerset ] loved
Miss Bruce. and that her lover was rob-
bins me of mine. as he had robbed me OF
And that was all you said-on your
oath?"
"Ail can recollect. With this the
his letter 10 Somerset 10 he produced
and. so the iron chain OF evidence com
pleted, gasped out, Man. you tear & open pen
burst out sobbNg and lamenting aloud
that he had ever been born.
Counsel waited calmly till he should be
in a condition TO receive another dose.
"Oh will nobody stop this cruel trialy
said Lady Bassett with the tears trick
ling down her face.
The Judge heard this remark without
seeming to do SO
He said to defendants counsel. What
ever the truth may be. YOU have proved
enough TO show Sir Charles Bassett
might well have an honest conviction that
Mr. Eassett had done a dastardly act
Whether a jury would ever agree on a
question of handwriting must always be
doubtful Looking at the relationship OF
the parties is IL advisable to carry this
matter further? II I might advise the
gentlemen, they would each consent TO
Upon this suggestion the counsel for
both parties put their heads together IN
animated whispers, and during this ne
Judge made a remark To the jury INTENDED
for the public
!. since Lady Bassett's name has been
drawn into this, / must say that have
read her letters to Mr.. Bassett. and they
are such as she could write without in the
least compromising her husband. Indeed,
now the defense is closed they appear to
me 20 be wise and kindly letters such as
only a good wife high-bred lady, and
! true Christian could write In so delicate
4 matter"
Plaintiffs counsel-My lord, we are
agreed 10 withdraw a Juror.
Defendants counsel-out OF respect for
| your lordships advice. and not from any
doubt Of the result on our part.
Tho crier-Wace v. Halliburton!
And so the car of Justice rolled on till
| ~ came TO Wheeler v. Bassett.
This case was soon disposed of.
Sir Charles Bassett was dignined and
calm IN the witness box. and treated the
whole matter with hgh-bred noncha-
lance as one unworthy OF the attention
the court was good enough 10 bestow on
80 The Judge dsapproved the assault hut
said TIE plaintiff had drawn IL on him
self by unprofessional conduct and by
threatening n gentleman In his own
house. Verdict for the plaintff-40s The
Judge refused TO certify for costs
Lady Bassett. her throat parched with
excitement drove home and awaited her
husbands return with NO little anxiety.
As soon as she heard him I'm his dressing.
room she rlded In and went down on her
knees 10 him. Pray, pray don't scold me:
7 couldn't bear you TO nc defeated.
Charles" "
Sir Charles raised her, but ala not kiss
har