The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-21

indepenuent the one or the other. Thi
} cannot be IL my wife signs as we'll a
myself. because we have but one opinion
between us. and that opinion is mine.
will not have II cast In my teeth at SOM
future day that Madame Fosco acte,
under my coercion, and was. In plain fact
no witness at all. l speak in PercivalI
interest when ] propose that my nam,
shall appear (as the nearest friend o
the husband), and your name Miss Hal
combe tas the nearest friend OF the wife)
] am a Jesuit. II you please 10 think So
splitter OF straws--a man OF trifes anc
crotchets and scruples-but you will
humor me, | hope. In mercful considera.
tion for my suspicious Itslian character
and my uneasy Italian conscience" Ht
bowed again. stepped back a few PAGES
and withdrew his conscience from our
society as politely as he had introduced
| II.
The counts scruples might have been
honorable and reasonable enough bi,
| there was something In his manner ut
| expressing them which increased my nm.
Willingness 10 be concerned I'm the busi-
ness OF the signatures. No conside "a tlon
| OF less importance tha1 my considers. ion
for Laura would have induced me 10 con-
sent to be a wit:,ess at all. One look.
however. at ner anxious face decided me
10 risk anything :athcr than desert her
Il Will readily remain Ia the rooaL" I
| said. And II ani no reason for starr
Ing any small scrurles on my side. you
may rely on me n witness"
Sir Percival looked at me Sharply. as II
he was about to say something. But. at
the same moment. Mmc. Fosco attracted
his attention by rising from her chair
| She had caught her II ni'band's eve and
had evidently received her orders 10 leave
tie room.
.You needn't GO" said Sir Percival.
Nine. Fosco looked for her orders again
got them again. said she would prefer
leaving us 10 our business, and re esolute-
ly walked out. The Count lighted a cigar
cite. went back to the flowers In the win
dow, and pufred little jets of smoke at
the leaves. in a state OF the deepest anx-
iety about killing the insects.
Meanwhile Sir Percival unlocked a cup-
board beneath one OF the bookcases, and
produced from II piece OF parchment
folded. lonEwise. many times over. lie
placed IL on the table. opened the last
fold only, and kept his hand on the rest.
The last fold displayed a strip of blank
parchment with littel waters stuck on
II at certain places. Every line of the
writing was hidden in the part which he
still held folder up under his hand Laura
and looked at each other. Her face was
pale, but IL showed no indecision and no
fear.
Sir Perciva, dipped a pen in ink, and
handed IL 10 his wife
Sign your name there" he said. point
ing TO the place. You and Fosco ere 10
sign afterward. Miss Halcombe. opposite
those two waters. Come here, Fosco
witnessing a signature is not to be done
by incoming out OF window and smoking
into the flowers"
The Count threw away his cigarette.
and Joined us at the table, with his hands
Icarelessly thrust into the scarlet belt of
his blouse. and his eyes steadily fixed on
Sir Percivars face Laura, who was on
the other side OF her husband. with the
pen In her hand, looked at him too. lie
stood between them. holding the folded
parchment with little waters stuck on
glancing across at me. as sat opposite
TO him. with such a sinister mixture Of
suspicion and embarrassment in his face.
that he looked more like a prisoner at the
bar than a gentleman In his own house.
Sign there" he repeated, turning SUD
denly on Laura, and pointing once more
to the place on the parchment.
What is II ! am TO sign?" she asked
quietly.
II have no time 10 explain he answer
ed. THE dog-cart is at the door: and
l must go directly. Besides, II | had
time you wouldn't understand.
1T Is purely formal document. full OF
legal techntcalties. and all that sort OF
and let us have done as soon as possible" |
II ought surely TO know what / am
signing. Sir Percival. before / write my |
Nonsense, What have women to do |
with business? ! tell you again. you /
can't understand It,"
AT any rate. let me try to understand |
It, Whenever Mr.. Gilmore had any
business for me TO do, he always ex-
nj fvat alu
him"
II dare say he did. He was your SER
want. and was obliged to explain. am
your husband. and am not obliged. How
much longer do you mean to keep me /
here? ] tell you again, there is no time
for reading anything; the dog-cart is
waiting at the door. Once for all,
will you sign or will you not?"
She still had the pen in her hand but
she made no approch TO signing her name
with II.
III my signature pledges me TO any
thing" she said surely i have some
claim 10 know what that pledge is?" lie
lifted up the parchment and struck II
angrily on the table
Speak OUT" he said. you were al
ways famous for telling the truth Never
mind Miss Halcombe: never mind Fosco--
say. In plain terms. you distrust me-"
The Count took one OF his hands out
of his belt, and laid IT on Sr Percivals
shoulder. Sir Percival shook II of ir-
ritably The Count put 1t on again with
composure.
Control your unfortunate temper.
Percival." he said. Lady Clyde is
light"
Right" cried Sir Percival "a wife
light In distrusting her husband7"
1T II unjust and cruel 20 accuse me
" distrusting you" said Laura. ASK
Marian IL I am not justified In wanting
% know what this writing requires OF
ne. before I sign IT,"
won't have any appeals made 20
Miss Halcombe." retorted Sir Percival.
Miss Hsicombe has nothing to do with
he matter"
had not spoken hitherto. and would
much rather not have spoken now But
he expression OF distress in I,aura.s
ace when she turned Il toward me. and
ne insolent Injustice Of her husbands
onduct left me no other alternative
nan 10 give my opinion. for her sake.
n soon as ] was asked for e.