The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-29
(Continued.)
CHAPTER XXvI.

That very night, after Wheeler had
gone home. Richard Bassett wrote
cajoiing letter to Mary Wells, asking her
20 meet him at the old place
When Mary got this letter she felt
little faint for moment; but she knew
the man, his treachery and his hard
egotism and selfishness SO well, that she
tossed the letter aside. and resolved TO
take no notice. Her trust was all In
her mistress. for whom. indeed. she had
more real affection than for any living
Creature; as for Richard Bassett, she
Absolutely detested him.
AS the day wore on she took another
view of matters: her deceiver was the
enemy OF her mistress; she might do her
a service by going to this rendezvous.
might learn something from him, and
use II against him.
So she went to the rendezvous with a
heart full OF bitter hate.
Bassett, with all his assurance. could
not begin his tnterrogntory all I'm a mo-
ment. He made n sort OF apology, said
he felt ne had been unkind, and he had
never been happy since he had deserted
her.
She cut that short. II have found a
better than you." said she II am going
TO London very soon-to be married"
II am glad to hear II.
"No doubt you are"
"I mean for your sake"
"For my sake? You think AZ httle OF
me as do OF you. Come now, what do
you want OF me-without lie. IL you
can?"
IT wanted to see you. and talk to you.
and hear your prospects.
well, / have told you And she pre-
tended to be going
Don't be In such hurry. Tell us
the news liz ~ true that Lady Bassett
e. expected - ="
."Oh, that Is no news"
"It is 10 me-
rTaint no news In our house. Why,
we have known II for months"
This took away the mans breath for
a minute.
At last he said with a great deal OF
intention:
Twin Il be fair or dark7"
LAS God plesses."
I'll bet you Ave pounds 10 one that
n IL dark"
Mary shrugged her shoulders contempt
uously. as X these speculations were too
childish for her.
ITS my lady you want TO talk about.
Is IL? thought II was TO make me we'd
ding present"
He actually put his hand into his pock-
ct and gave her two sovereigns. She took
them with a grim smile.
He presumed on this TO question her
minutely.
She submitted to the interrogatory.
Only as the questions were not always
delicate, and the answer was invariably
an untruth. IL may be as well 10 pass
over the rest OF the dialogue. Suffice II
to say that, whenever the girl saw. the
drift OF a question. she He'd admirably;
and when she did not, still she lied upon
principle: It may be a good thing 10 de-
ceive the enemy.
Richard Bassett was now perplexed.
and saw himself I'm that very position
which had so CALLED Lady Bassett six
weeks or 40 before He could not make
any advantageous move. but was obliged
TO wait events. All he could do was TO
spy little on Lady Bassett. and note
how often she went TO the asylum.
After many days watching he saw
something new.
Mr.. Angelo was speaking TO her with
a good deal OF warmth, when suddenly
she started from him, and then turned
around upon him In a very commanding
attitude. and with prodigious fire. Angelo
seemed then 10 address her very humbly.
But she remained rigid. At last Angelo
retired and left her so: but he was no
sooner out OF sight than she dropped
into a garden seat, and. taking out her
handkerchief. cried a long time
why doesn't the fool come back?'
said Bassett from his tower OF observa-
tion.
- He related this incident to Wheeler,
and Il Impressed that worthy more than