The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-18
CHAPTER Xxx.


sir Charles observed that ne was never
trusted alone. He remarked this. and
inquired. with a peculiar eye, why that
was.
Lady Bassett had the tact 10 put on
an innocent look. and smile, and ssay,
.sThat II true dearest. have tied you
20 10y apron string without mercy. But
A serves you right for having its and
frightening me. You get well, and my
tyrany will cease at once"
However, after this she often left him
alone In tho garden. TO remove from his
mind the notion that he was under re-
straint from her.
Mr.. Bassett observed this proceeding
from hts tower.
One day Mr. Angelo called. and Lady
BASsett left Sir Charles In the garden,
10 60 and speak 10 him.
She had not been gone many minutes
when a boy ran 10 Sir Charles, and said:
"Oh, sir, please come TO the gate the
lady has had fall and hurt herself,
Sir Charles. much alarmed. followed the
boy who took him TO a s4de gate open
ing on the highroad. Sir Charles rushed
through this. and was passing between
two stout fellows that stood one on each
side the gate. when they seized him, and
lifted him in a moment into a close car
risge that was waiting on the spot He
struggled. and cried loudly for assist
ance but they bundled him in and sprang
in after him third man closed the door
and got up by the side OF the coachman.
He drove of. avoiding the village soon
got upon a broad road, and bowled along
at a great rate. the carriage being light,
and drawn by two powerful horses.
So cleverly and rapidly was II done
that. but for n woman's quick ear. the
deed might not have been discovered for
hours. But Mary Wells heard the cry
d. AA1.< ~ stW.AA
ognized Sir Charles voice and ran
screaming down stairs 20 Lady Bassett.
che ran wildly out. with Mr.. Angelo. 20
look for Sir Charles. He was nowhere
10 be found Then she ordered every
horse in the stables 10 be saddled; and
she ran away with Mary to the place
where the cry had been heard.
For some time no intelligence whatever
could be CLEANED; but at last an old man
was found who said he had heard some
body cry out, and soon after that a car
riage had come tearing by him, and gone
around the corner; but this direction was
OF little value, on account of the many
taken.
However. II left no doubt that Sir
Chmarles had been taken away from the
place by force.
Teror-stricken. and pale as death. Lady
Bassett never lost her head for a mo-
FIRE; she sent of coacrmen and srooms
10 scour the country. and rouse the gem
try to help her1t she gave them money.
and told them not 10 come back till they
had found Sir Charles.
Mr.. Angelo said eagerly. 'Tll go 10 the
nearest magistrate. and We will arrest
Richard Bassett on suspicion"
God bless you. dear friend!' sobbed
Lady Bassett. "Oh. yes, IL is his doing
murderer
or went Mr.. Angelo on his errand.
He was hardly gone when a man was
seen running and shouting across the
fields. Lady Basett went 10 meet him,
surrounded by her humble sympathizers.
II was young Drake he came up, pant
ing. with a double barreled gun in his
hand for he was allowed to shoot rab-
bits on his own little farm. and stam-
mered out, "Oh. my ady-Sir Charles
they have carried him off against his
will"
who! Where? Did you see him?"
"Ay. and heard him and all. was fer
reting rabbits by the side OF the turn
pike road yonder and carrigae came
teal ring along. and Sir Charles put out his
head and cried 20 me. Drake. they are
KIDNAPPING me Shoot" But they pulled
him back out OF sight
'Oh. my poor husband. And did you
let them? Ohr'
Couldn't catch EN-. my lady; so I did
as ] was bid; got TO my gun as quick
as ever I could, and gave the coachman
both barrels hot"
What, kill him?"
Lord. no; twas 20 yards OF; but made
him holler and squeak good 'un. Put
IS or 40 shot into his hack. I know"
"Give me your hand. Mr.. Drake I'll
never forget that shot" Then she began
90 cry.
"Doant ye, my lady. doant We" said
the honest fellow. and was within an
ace OF blubbering for sympathy."we amt
a lot % babies to see our squire kidnap-
ed. II you will lend Abel Moss there
and me couple o. nags well catch them
yet, my lady
THAT we WILL" cried Abel "You take
me where you fred that shot. and we'll
follow the fresh wheel-tracks They
can't beat Us while they keep TO road"
The two men were soon mounted. and
In pursuit. amid the cheers OF the now
excited VILLAGERS
But stlll the perpetrators OF the outrage
had more than an hours start and an
hour was twelve miles
And now Lady Bassett. who had borne
up go bravely was seized with a deadly
fn'ntDess. and supported into the house
All this spread like wildhre. and reused
the villagers and they must have hand
IN H. Parson had said Mr. Bassett was
% blame; and that passed from one 10
enother. and so fermented that In the
more house and dema nded Mr. Bassett
The servants were alarmed. and said
he was not at home.
Then the men demanded boisterously
what he had done with Sir Charles and
threatened 10 break the windows unless
they were told; and as nobody in the