The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-27


cry now and then at her close driving
and told him all and showed him what
she was pleased TO call her little game.
He told her II was too romantic. Said
he: You ladies read nothing but nov
els but the real world is quite different
from the world OF novels" Having delv
cred this remonstrance-which was toll
efably just for she never read anything
but novels and sermons--he submitted
like a lamb. and rectived her instruc-
tions.
She drove as fast as she talked so
that by this time they were at Admiral
Bruce's door.
Now Mr.. Oldhod took the lead. as per
Instructions Mr. Oldhead, solicitor, "a nd
lady--on business"
The porter delivered this 10 the foot
man with the accuracy which all VINO
send verbal messages deserve and may
count on Mr. oldheld and lady"
The footman. who represented the next
, step in moral tradition. without which
| form OF history the heather world would
never have known that Hannibal soft
| ened the rocks with vinegar, nor the
| Christian world that eleven thousand
virgins dwelt In German town the size
OF Putney, announced tn pair as Mr.
and Mrs. Hautyilie!'
II don't know them, think. Well
will see them"
They entered. and the admiral stared
a little and wondered how this coupls
| came together-the keen but plain old
man. with clothes hanging on him. and
the dashing beauty. with her dress In the
height OF the fashion and her gauntleted
hands However. he bowed oeremon-
iously and begged his visitors to be seat
| ed.
Now the folding doors were ajar and
the soi-disant Mrs Oldhsld peeped She
saw Bella Bruce at some distance seated
| by the fire I'm a reverie.
Judge that lady's astonishmennt when
she looked up and obs rived a large.
white. well shaped hand sparkling with
diamonds and rubies, beekoning her fur-
lively.
The owner of that sparkling hand soon
heard a soft rustic OF silk come toward
the door, the very rustic somehow was
eloouent. and betrayed love and timidlty'
and something innocent. yet subtle. Inc
teweled hand went I'm again directly.
Meantime Mr.. Oldheld began to tell the
admiral who he was and that ne was
come TO remove false impression ABOUT
a client of his, Sir Charles Basset
THAT. sir" said the admiral, sternly,
lis a name we never mention here
lie rose and went TO the foiding doors'
and deliberately closed them.
The Somerset, thus defeated. bit her lip.
and sat all OF heap, like cat about TO
spring looking sulky and vicious.
Mr. Oldfeld persisted and as he took
the admiral's hint and lowered his voice,
he was interrupted no more; but mace
simple statement of those facts which
are known 10 the reader
Admiral Bruce heard them, and admit
ted that the case was not quite so bad as
he had thought.
Then Mr.. oldfeld proposed that Sir
Charles should be re-admitted.
mo" said the old admiral firmly;
turn II how you will II is too ugly; the
bloom OF the thing is gone. Why should
my daughter take that woman's ieavings?
why should | give her pure heart to
man about town."
Because you will break II else" said
Miss Somerset with affected politeness.
Give her credit for more dignity,
madam. II you please" replied Admiral
Bruce. with equal politeness.
"Oh. bother dignity cried the Somerset.
At this free phrase from so welldressed
a lady Admiral Bruce opened his eyes.
and inquired of Oldheld, rather satirical-
ly who was this lady who did him the
honor To interfere in his family affairs.
Oldhed looked confused; but Somerset,
full OF mother-wit. was not to be caught
mapping I'm a bystander and they al
ways see clearer than the folk themselves
You are man of honor. sir, and you are
very clever at sea. no doubt, and a fight
er and all that but you are no match for
land sharks You are being made n dupe
and a tool OF. Who do you think wrote
that anonymous letter TO your daughter?
friend OF truth2 a friend of injured in
nocence? Nothing Of the sort. One Rich
ard Bassett-Sir Charles cousin. Here.
Mr. Odfeld. please compare those two
handwritings closely, and you will see |
am right" She put down the anonymous
letter and Richard Bassett's letter to her
self: but she could not wait for Mr. Old
field to compare the documents. now her
tongue was set going. Yes, gentlemen.
this is new TO YOU: but youll find that the
little scheming rascal wrote them both.
and With as base a motive and as black
heart as any other anonymous cow
ards. His game is to make Sir Charles
Rassett die chlldless. and so then this
dirty fellow would inherit the estate: and
owing to you being so green, and swal-
lowing an anonymous letter like pure
water from the spring. he very nearly got
his way. Sir Charles has been at deaths
door along OF all this"
Hush. madam. not so loud, please"
whispered Admiral Bruce looking un-
easily toward the folding doors
why not?" bawled the Somerset The
truth may be blamed. but II can't be
shamed. tell you that your precious let
ter brought Sir Charles Bassett 10 the
he came tearing I'm hts cab 10 Miss som
ersets house. and accused her of telling
the lie To keep hm-and he might have
known better. for the iade never did
sneaking thing IN her life But. any way
he thought II must he her doing. miscall-
ed her like dog. and ragged AZ her dread
full and az last-what with love and fury
and despair-he had the terriblest ~ YOU
ever saw He fell down as black as your
hat and hts eyes rolled. and his teeth
gnashed. and he foamed at the mouth
and took four to hold him: and presently
as white as a ghost and given up for
dead. No pulse for hours: and when his
life came back his reason was gone"
Good heavens madam
For a time II was How he did rave,
and Bella the only name on his lips
And now he lies I'm HIS own house as
weak as water. Come. old gentleman.
don't you be too hard; YOU are not
chi'd. like your daughter: take the world
as II r.. DO YOU think YOU will ever find
a man of fortune who has not had lady
frinnd7 WHY e,-prv single Qantiepan A.,