The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-04
(Continued.)

As for Richard Bassett. he had turned
on his heel. Indignant as soon as the
preachers admonitions came his way.
Sir Charles Bassett stood his ground
rather longer. being steeled by the con-
viction that the quarrel was none or MS
seeking. Moreover. he was not aware
what good friend this woman had been
10 him nor what a good vile sne nau
been TO Marsh this seventeen years. HIS
mind therefore. made q clear leap from
the Rhoda Somerset. the vixen or HYDE
Park and Mayfair. TO this preacher, ana
he could mot help smiling: than which a
worse frame for receiving unpalataple
truths can hardly be conceived. And SO
the elders ware obdurate. But Compton
and Ruperta had no armor OF old age.
egotism or prejudice 10 turn the darts or
honest eloquence. They listened. as To the
voice OF an angel; they gszed. as on the
face OF an angel; and when those silvery
accents ceased. they turned toward each
other. and came toward each other. with
the sweet enthusiasm that became their
years "Oh Cousin Ruperta!" Inavered
Compton "Oh. Cousin Compton," cried
Ruperte the tears trickling down her
lovely cheeks.
They could not say any more for ever
so long
Ruperta spoke nrst. She gave a final
gulp. and said. II will go and speak TO
her and thank her"
oh Miss Ruperta. we shall be late for
tea - suggested the maid.
''Tea!' said Ruperta. "Our souls are be.
fore our teal must speak to her. or else
my heart will choke me and kill me. i
will go-and so will Compton"
''Oh yes. said Compton.
And they hurried after the preacher.
They came up with her. flushed and
painting: and now II was Compton's turn
20 be shy: the lady was so tall and state
~ too
But Ruperta was not much afraid Of
anything IN petticoats "Oh, madam.
said che. III you please, may we speak to
you9"
Mrs. Marsh turned around. and her
somewhat aquiline features softened in
stantly al the two specimens of beauty
and innocence that had run after her.
Certainly. my young friendse and she
smiled materially on them. She had chill
dren Of her own.
''who do YOU think We are7 We are the
two naughty children you preached about
80 beautifully"
What! YOU the bsbes In the woods7''
Yes. madam. II was a long. long while
ago. and we are sixteen now-are we not.
Cousin Compton,"
Yes. madam"
And we are both so unhappy at our
parents quarreling. At least am"
And 80 am ].
And we came TO thank you. Didn't we.
Compton,"
Yes Ruperta.'
And to ask your advice. How are we
70 make our parents be friends? Old peo-
pie will not be advised by young ones.
They look down on us so: IL is dread
full"
Marsh. Il will try and answer you: but
let me sit down minute; for. after
preaching, I am apt 10 feel a little ex-
hausted Now sit beside me- and give me
each "a hand, II YOU please
well, my dears. I have been teaching
YOU a lesson: and now you teach me one.
and that is how much easier II Is TO
preach reconciliation and charity than IL
Is 10 practice N under certain cIrcum-
stances. However, my advice to you Is
first TO pray 10 God for wisdom In this
thing. and then to watch every opportu-
nifty. Dissuade your parents from every
unkind act: don't be afraid to speak-with
the word OF God at your back. I know
that YOU have no easy task before you.
Sir Charles Bassett and Mr. Bassett were
both among my hearers. and both turned
their backs on me, and went away un-
softened they would not give me a
chance: would not hear me TO an end,
and | am not a wordy preacher neither"
Hero an interruption occurred. Ruperta,
so shy and cold with Compton. flung her
arms around Mrs. Marsh's neck, with the
tears in her eyes. and kissed her eagerly.
"Yes, my dear" said Mrs. Marsh, after
kissing her I'm turn. "I was little morti-
fed. But that was very weak and foolish.
I am sorry, for their own sakes, they
would not stay: II was the word OF God:
but they saw only the unworthy instru-
ment. Well then. my dears, YOU have a
hard task: but you must work upon your
mothers. and win them to charity"
"Ah! that will be easy enough. Ny
mother has never approved this unhappy
quarrel"
mo more has mine"
rs IT so? Then you must try and get
the two ladies TO speak TO each other. But
something tells me that way will be
opened Have patience: have faith; and
DO not mind check or two; but persevere
remembering that blessed are the peace
makers.
her.
Give me a kiss. children" said she.
You have done me a world OF good. NV
own heart often flags on the road. and
you have warmed and comforted Il! God
bless your
And so they parted.
Compton and Ruperta walked home
ward Ruperta was very thoughtful. and
Compton could only get monosyllables out
OF her. This discouraged. and at last vex-
ed him
what have done" said he. that you
will speak TO anybody but me-
Don't he cross. child" said she; but
answer me n question. Did YOU put your
tippet around me In that wood??'
Il suppose SO"
'oh. then you don't remember doing e..
eh7"
mo: that don't"
Then what makes YOU think YOU did?'
Because they say so. because ] must
have been such an awful cad II didn't
And 7 was always much fonder Of you
than you were OF me. NV tippetl Ia give
my head sooner than any harm should
come To you. Rupertal''
Ruperta made no reply. but. being now
az Highmore. she put out her hand to
him. and turned her head away. lie kiss
ed her hand devotedly. and so Nhey part
ed
Compton told Lady Bassett all that had
happened. and Ruperta told Mrs. Bassett
Those 1adfaa roadfIv pror,aised 40 ha of,