The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-12
(Continued.)


rb,. notice 20 leave was very. bitter to
Mary Wells. for che was In the very act
of making a conquest. Young Drake.
very small farmer and tenant OF Sir
e Charles had faiien In love with her. and
she liked him and had resolved he should
marry her. with which view she was
playing the tender but coy maiden very
prettily. But Drake. though young ana
very much In love, was advised by his
mother. and evidently resolved 10 go the
old-fashioned way-keep company a year,
and know the girl before Offering the
ring.
Just before her month was out a more
serious trouble threatened Mary Wells.
Her low, artfui amour with Richard
Bassett had led TO It's natural results. BY
degrees she had gone further than she In
tended and now the fatal consequences
looked her In the face.
She found herself In an odious position;
for her growing regard for young Drake,
though not a violent attachment, was
enough TO set her more and more against
Richard Bassett, and she was preparing
an entire separation from the latter when
the fatal truth dawned on her.
Then there was a temporary revulsion
OF feelings; she told her condition 10 Bas-
sett. and implored him. with many tears
70 aid her TO disappear for a time and HIDE
her misfortune, especially from her sis
ter.
Mr.. Bassett heard her, and then gave
her an answer that made her blood run
cod. why did you come TO me7" said
re. why don't you go TO the right man
young DrakeT
Ee then told her he had had her watch
ed and she must not think TO make fooi
OF him. She was as intimate with the
young farmer as with him. and was In
his company every day.
Mary Wells admitted that Drake was
co,fStfng her. but said he was a CIVIL re-
epectfui young man. who desired TO make
her his wife. you have lost that" said
she, bursting into tears; and so. for
Gods sake, show yourself man for
once and see me through my trouble
The egotist disbelieved. or affected not
20 believe her, and said, When there are
two II is always the gentleman you girls
deceive. But you can't make fool or me.
Mrs. Drake Marry the farmer. and I'll
give you wedding present. that Is all
can do for any other mans sweetheart.
have got my own family to provide for,
and II IL all can contrfve to make both
ends meet"
He was cold and inf1exible to her pray
ere Then she tried threats. He laughed az
them Said re. The time is gone by for
that. II you wanted to sue me for breach
OF promise. you should have done II at
once; not waited eighteen months. and
come you played your little game You
made me come here week after week and
bleed n sovereign. woman that loved a
man would never have been so hard on
him az you were on me. I grinned and
bore H. but, when you ask me TO own an
other manS child. man OF your own
sort that you are in love with-you hate
me-that IL a little too much: no. Mrs
Drake: II that In your game we will fight
Il out-before the public II you like" And
having delivered this with a tone OF harsh
and loud defiance he left her-left her
forever. She sat down upon the cold
ground and rocked herself Despair was
cold at her heart.
She sat In that forlorn state for more
than an hour. Then she got up and went
10 her mistress room and sat by the fire,
for her limbs were cold as well as her
heart
She. sat there. gazing at the hre. and
eighing heavily. till Lady Bassett came
up TO bed She then went through hes
work like an automaton, and every now
and then deep sigh came from her
breast.
Lady Bassett heard her sigh. and look
ed at her. Her face was altered: a sort OF
eullen misery was written on II. Lady
Bassett was quick at reading faces. and
this look alarmed her Mary" said She
kindly, is there anything the matter?'
No reply.
Are you unwell?"
No"
Are you In trouble7"
"Ayl" with a. burst OF tears.
Lady Bassett let her cry. thinking IL
would relieve her, and then spoke 10 her
again with the languid pensiveness OF a
woman who has also her trouble you
have been very attentive TO Sir Charles
and a kind good servant TO me, Mary"
You are n1ocking me. ny lady" said
Mary bitterly. You wouldn't have turn
ed me or for a word II had been a good
servant"
Lady Bassett coored high. and was ST.