The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-09
(Continued.)

ACoHtAhtot-y
Compton restrained himself till the emo
Of that dance. and then stepped up to
Reginald. and whispered him. Mamma
wants to see you directly
Tell her I'm busy"
II shall tell her nothing of the kind.
You know she is very I'll. and has not
seen you yet; and now she wants to- So
come along at once, like good fellow.
''Youngster," said Reginald. 'it is a
rule with me never TO leave young
woman for an old one"
''Not for your mother?"
"No, nor my grandmother. either.
'-Then you were born without n heart.
But you shall come whether you like IL
or not-though l have to drag you there
by the hroat."
LEARN to spell able first
TN spell It on your head. II you don't
come"
"oh. that is the game. young 'un. is Il"
"Yes"
.-Well, don't let us have a shindy on
the bricks: there is a nice little paddock
outside Come out there, and III give
you lesson"
Thank you: don't feel inclined TO as
stst you In degrading our family.
Chaps that are afraid TO night shouldn't
threaten. Come, now, the first knock
down blow shall settle 1t. II win. you
stay here and dance with us. II you
win. go TO the old woman"
Compton consented, somewhat reluct-
antly: but to do him justice. his reluct-
ance arose entirely from his sense OF re-
lationship. and not from any fear of his
senior.
The young gentlemen took on their
coats. and proceeded to spar without any
further ceremaony
Reginald, whose agility was greater
than his courage, danced about on the
tips OF his toes, and succeeded In plant
ing a tap or two on Compton's cheek.
Compton smarted under these and pres
emily, In following his antagonist. who
fought like a shadow he saw Ruperta
and her mother looking horror-stricken
over the palings.
Infuriated with Reginald for this ex
posure, he rushed In at him. received a
severe cut over the eye. but dealt him
with his mighty Anglo-Saxon arm a full
straightforward smasher on the forehead,
which knocked him head over heels like
a ninepn.
That active young man picked himself
ND wondrous slowly: rheumatism seemed
10 have suddenly seized his well-oiled
Joints; then he addressed his antagonist.
IN most ingratiating tones-"All right.
SIR" said he. You are the best man. III
4 70 to the old lady this minute"
ly; "and mind can run as we'll as hit;
so none of your gypsy tricks with me"
Then he came sheeplshly TO the paling.
and said, "It is not my fault. Miss Bas-
sett; he would not come to mamma with
out, and she wants TO speak TO him"
"Oh! he Is hurt he Is wounded" cried
TO Ruperta. Come here to me-"
He came 10 her, and she pressed her
white handkerchief tenderly on his eye
brow: 1t was bleeding little.
well are you coming?' said Reginald
ironically, "or do you like young women
better than old ones?"
Compton instantly drew back a little.
made two steps, laid his hand on the
palings, vaulted over, and followed RegiS
nald.
That's your boy" said Mrs. Bassett.
Ruperta made no reply but began 10
gulp.
"what IL the matter darling7"
"The fighting-the blood" said Ruperta,
sobbing
Mrs Bassett drew her one side. and
soon soothed her.
When their gentle bosoms got over
their agitation, they rather enjoyed the
thing. especially Ruperta she detested
Reginald for his character. and for hav-
ing insulted her father.
All Of a sudden, she cried out. HE has
taken my handkerchief. How dare her.
And she affected anger.
Never mind dear" said Mrs. Bassett,
coolly. I'VE have got his tippet.
CHAPTER XIII.
Could any one have looked through the
keyhole at Lady Bassett waiting for
Reginald. he would have seen. by the
: very movements of her body, the terrible
agitation OF her mind. She arose-sat
down-she walked about with wild ener-
gy. she dropped on the sofa. and ap-
40 sri,, "a fn1nossihle. btlt
ere long that deadly languor gave way TO
impatient restlessness again
At last her quick ear heard a footstep
I'm the corridor. accompanied by no rustic
OF petticoats, and yet the footstep was not
Compton's.
Instantly she glanced with momentary
terror toward the door.
There was tap.
She sat down, and said. from tone
from which all agitation was instantly
banished. "Come In"
The door opened, and the swarthy Regi-
nald. diabolcally handsome. with his
black snaky curls entered the room.
She arose from her chair. and hxee her
great eyes on him. as II she would read
him soul and body before she ventured
TO speak.
Here am. mamma; sorry to see you
look so Ill"
THANK you. my dear" said Lady Bas-
sett. without relaxing for moment that
searching gaze.
She said. still covering him with her
eye. Would you cure me IL you couldY'
To appreciate this opening, and Lady
Bassetts sweet. engaging manner, you
must understand that this young man
was. In her eyes, a sort OF black snake.
Her flesh crcpt with fear and repug-
nance. at the sight OF him. Yet that is
how she received him. being mother de-
Tending her favorite SON.
"of course I would" said Reginald.
"Just you tell me how"
Excellent words But the ladys calm.
IN failible eye saw a cunning twinkle In
those black twinking orbs. Young as
he was, he was on his guard. and waiting
for her. Nor was this surprising Regi-
nald naturally intelligent. had accumu-
lated large stock OF low cunning In his
travels and adventures with the gypsies.
a smooth and cunning people. Lady
Bassett's fainting upon his return, HIS
exclusion from her room. and one or two
minor circumstances. had set him think