The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-16
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, A TERRIBLE Temptation {.
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CHARLES READE (
A
CHARLES READE

the very sight OF him she trembled and
said. Richard Bassett?
Yes" said Mr. Oldheld "he Is In the
field again. He has been TO the Court OF
Chaneery exparte. and obtained an in
junction ad interim TO stay waste, Not
another tree must cut down on this es-
Thank heaven II is no worse than that.
Not another tree shall be felied on the
grounds" i"
there. II we do not move 10 dissolve the
Injunction, ! fear they will 60 on and
ask the court 10 administer the estate,
especially those OF the heir-at-law and
What. while my husband lives?
III they can prove him dead in law.
II don't understand you. Mr.. Oldheld."
cal men that he Is insane" -
and put her hand TO her heart.
And. OF course, they will use that ex-
traordnary fall of timber as a further
proof. and also as reason why the cours
should interfere 10 protect the heir-at-
law Their case is we'll got up and very
strong" said Mr.. oldheld resretfully.
We'll. but you are lawyer and you
have always beaten them hitherto.
Il had law and fact on my side. IL
is not so now. To be frank, Lady Bas-
sett don't see what can do but watch
the case. on the chance of some error or
illegaiity. 1t is very hard TO fght a case
when you cannot put your client forward
and / suppose that would not be safe.
How unfortunate that you have no chill
drenl
Children. How could they help usT'
What a qvestion. How could Richard
Bassett move the court IL he was not the
After a long conference. Mr. Oldneld re-
turned TO town TO see what he could DO IN
the way OF procrastination. and Lady
turend TO cure Sir Charles In the mean
time. Mr.. Oldheld was 10 write imme-
diately II any fresh step was taken
sett ~ "rn pondered % ,r every W. Word he had said.
and. mild as she was. her rage began 10
rise against her husbands relentless enc.
my. Her wits worked. her eyes roved
in that peculiar half-savsge way ! nave
described. She became intoleraoly rest
less; and every one acquainted with ner
sex might see that some strange CONNECT
Every now and then she would come
and cling 10 her husband, and cry over
him; and that seemed TO still the tumult
OF her soul n little.
She never slept all that night: and next
da,, clEging in her helpless agony 10 the
nearest branch. she told Mary Wells what
Bassett was doing, and said: Wnat
so very precarious a state that. II they
get at him TO torment him, they VIII
drive him mad indeed
my sI0 lady y vors sad . Msry no ws n.e in mssns
him. and II we don't you'll never rue II
but once. and that will be all your nte.
IT should look on myself with horror
afterward were l TO deceive him now
mo, my lady. you are too fond OF him
for that Once you saw him happysyou'd
be happy. too, no matter how II came
about. That Richard Bassett will turn
him out OF this else. l am sure ne VIII,
he is a hard-hearted william"
Lady Bassetts eyes flashed IRE: then
her ewes roved; then she sighed deeply.
Her power OF resistance werebeginning
20 relax AS FOR Mary Wells she gave
her no peace: she kept instilling her mind
into her mistress with the pertinacity
OF small, but ever-dripp'ng fount, and
we know both by science and poetry that
small incessant drops of water will wear
a hole in marble
'GLtta cavat lapidem non vi sed .saepa
cadendo"
Anl in the midst OF all letter came
ron Mr. Oldfeld. to tell her that Mr..
Bassett threatened TO take out commits
sion de lunatico. and she must prepare
Sir Charles for an examination; for. IL
r,norted insane the court would ad-
r.jnister the estates; but the heir -at-law,
Mr. Passett would have the ear OF the
court and the right ~ application, ana
become virtually master OF Huntercompe
and Bassett; and. perhaps, considering
the spirit by which he was animated.
WoU4u CoHiIlNe w pNN"fS 80
itself Lady Bassett was In the dressing
room when she received the blow. and II
drove her almost frantic She bemoaned
her husband: she prayed God to take
them both. and let their enemy have his
will She wept and raved. and at the
height OF her distress came from the
other room a feeble cry. 'Childless.
chidless, childless!
Lady Bassett heard that, and In one
moment. from violent she became un-
naturally and dangerously calm. She
saie firmly 10 Mary Wells, This IL more
thar I can bear. You pretend you can
save him-do It,.
Mary Wells now trembled little In
her turn: but she seized the opportunity.
MY lady. whatever l say you II stano
to-"
whatever you say I'll stand TO-"
(To be Continued)