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

; A TERRIBLE TEMPTATION {
BY
Z CHARLES READE
L>NH>NNH%C ONNNA
CHARLES READE

(Continued)
Mary replied she had been used 10
twork. and would rather work for her
. husband than any other master.
On another occasion she asked HIM
| quietly whether a gentleman ever broke
. his oath.
Never" said Richard.
In short. she gave him no opening. She
would not quarrel. She adhered 10 him
rs she had never adhered 90 anything
but lie before.
Then he gave up all hope OF smoothing
the matter. He coolly cut her; never
came TO the trystng- place: did not answer
her letters; and. being a reckless egotist.
| married Jane Wright all In hurry by
| special license.
He sent forward to the clerk OF Hunter
| combe church. and engaged the ringers
to ring the church-bells from six O'Clock
until sundown. This was for Sir Charles
"ear."
IT was a balmy evening I'm May Lady
Bassstt was commencing her toilet in
an indolent way, with Mary Wells in at
tendance. when. the church bells OF Hun
tercombe struck up merry peal.
sAh!' said Lady Bassett what is that
for? DO you know. Nary
e"No, my lady. Shall | ask"
-"No: dare say II ls village wedding ="
mo. my lady. there's nobody been mar
ried here this six weeks. our Kitchen
maid and the baker was the last. you
know I'll send and know what il is
| for"
Mary went out and dispatched the first
housemaid she caught for intelligence.
The girl ran into the stable TO her sweet
heart and he told her directly.
Meantime Lady Bassett moralized upon
church bells.
They are always sad--saddest when
they seem to be merr.est Poor things!
they are trying hard 70 he merry now:
but they sound very sad 10 me-sadder
than usual somehow"
The girl Knocked at the door. Mary
half-opened H., and the news shot IN:
'"Tis for Squire Bassett; he Is bringing
OF his bride home TO Highmore today"
e"Mr. Bassett-marred-th is sudden.
Who could he find TO marry him."
There was no reply The housemaid
rad flown off TO circulate the news. and
Mary Wells was supporting herself by
clutching the door. sick with the sudden
blow.
Close as she was her distress could
not have escaped another womans eye.
but Lady Bassett never looked az her.
After the first surprise she had gone
into reverie, and was conJuring up the
future 10 the sound of those church bells.
She requested Mary to so and see Sir
Charles; but she did not lift her head.
even 10 give this order.
Mary crept away. and knocked at Sir
Charles dressing-room.
"Come in" said sir Charles, tn mixing.
OF course N was his valet.
Mary Wells just opened the door and
held II ajar. MY lady bids me tell you.
SIR bells are ringing for Mr Bassett: he's
married. and brings her home tonight. ."
dead silence marked the effect Of
this announcement on Sir Charles. Mary
Well. waited
May heavens curse Light on that mar
rage. and no child OF theirs ever take
my place IN this house"
"A-a-men! vaid Mary Wells.
THANK you. sir. said Sir Charles. He
took her voice for n mans. so deep and
gutteral was her "A-a-men" with con-
centrated passion.
She closed the door and crept back to
her mistress.
Lady Bassett was seated at her glass
with her hair down. and her shoulders
bare Mary clenched her teeth. and set
about her usual work; but very soon
Lady Bassett gave start and started
into the glass. Mary" said she. what
r. the matter? You look ghastly, and