The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-13
(Continued.)


At sight of her. Sir Charles awoke from
The confusion and amazement into which
Mary had thrown him. and said, "Ah
Bella. do sou hear what she sayr. thai
be is not our son? What then, have YOU
agreed with your servant 10 deceive youl
husband?'
Lady Bassett gasped. and tried &c
speak. but before the words would come
the sight of her corpse-like face and mis-
erable agony moved Mary Wells, and shs
snatched the words out or her mouth.
She hows = ns Aa ors ss sn 81 Ss sS s
M and eSs done gsa = az f9r ,bss iss sss ss hsS G
for ! knew Il would kill her. and kGg
u sest L put aSfse %g Ss chld By SS her side. and
she knew no better. As time went on
and the boy 80 dark, she suspected, but
am his mother. and there stands his cruel
father. cruel 10 me. and cruel 70 him.
But don't you dare TO harm him. I've got
AL your letters, promising me marriage
ter. and they shall know II Is your own
flesh and blood you are sending 10 prison.
oh, am mad 10 threaten him. My darl-
Ing. speak him fair, He Is your father.
He may have a bit OF nature in his heart
somewhere, though | could never find IT."
The young man put his hands together,
IKE an Oriental. and said, "Forgiye me-
Then Sir Charles, himself much shaken.
took his wife's arm and led her, trembling
like an aspen leaf. from the room.
Perhaps the prayers OF Reginald and the
tears of his mother would alone have suf-
fced TO soften Richard Bassett, but the
threat OF exposure to his wife and
daughter did no harm. The three soon
came too terms.
Reginald TO be liberated, on condition
OF going TO London by the next train. and
never setting his foot I'm that parish again
His mother TO go with him and see him
OF to Australia. She solemnly pledged
herself not TO reveal the boys real parent
age 10 any other soul in the world.
This being settled. Richard Bassett cal
,cd the constable In, and said the young
gentleman had satisfied him that IL WAS
a practical joke, though a very danger
Gus one and he withdrew the charge ~
felony.
The constable said he must have Sir
Charles authority for that.
A message was sent TO Sir Charles. lie
came. The prisoner was released. and
Mary Meyrick took his arm sharply. as
so no more
Before they left the room, Sir Char. $.
who was now master OF himself. said With
deep feeling. My poor boy. YOU can never
be stranger TO me. The anection OF
years cannot be united in a moment. You
see now how folly glides into crime and
crime into punishment
Take this TO heart. and never again
stray from the paths of honor. Lead an
honorable life: and IL you do, write to
me as / was still your father"
They retired, but Richard Bsssett lin
gered and hung his head.
Sir Charles wondered what this inveter-
ate foe could have to say now.
Al last Richard said, half-sullenly, vet
with a touch OF conjunction, ''Sir
Charles you have been more generous
than I was. You have laid me under
an obligation
Sir Charles bowed loftily.
You would double that obligation II
you prevail on Lady Bassett to keep that
old folly of mine secret from my wife and
daughter. / am truly aShamed OF 1t. and.
whatever my fault may have been, they
love and respect me-"
Mr.. Bassett" t" said Sir Charles, my son
Compton must he told that he is my heir; /;
but no details injurious To you shall tran,
spire: you may count on absolute secrecy
from Lady Bassett and myself"
"Sir Charles" said Richard Rassett.
faltering for moment, II am very much
obliged to you. and ! begin To be sorry
we are enemies Good morning"
The agitation aud terror of this scene
nearly killed Lady Bsssett on the spot.
She lay all that day In a state of utter
prostration
Meantime Sir Charles put this and that
together. but said nothing He spoke
cheerfully and philosophically 10 his wife,
said II had besn fearful blow. terrible
wrench: but II was all for the best; such
a son as that would have broken his heart
before long
"Ah. but YOU wasted affections" grasn-
81 Lady Bassett; and her tears stresmed
a tho thought.
sir Charles sighed; but said, AFTER n
while rs affection ever entirely wasted ?
Mv love for that young fool enlarged my
heart There was time he did me q deal
OF good"
But next day having only herself 70
think Of now. Lady Bssa':t could bear
M no longer under the load Of deceit.
She told Sir Charles Ms Meyrick had
deceived him. Read this. she said. "and
see what your miserable wife has done.
who loved you to madness and crime"
Sir Charles looked al her. and saw in
her wasted form and her face that. IL he
did read n. he should xiii her.
He restrained himself by \ mighty ef
fort and said MY dear. excuse me: but
on this matter I have more faith In Mary
Msyricks exscmess than I'm yours Re
sides. 7 know your heart, and don't care
to be told of your errors I'm judgment. no.
even by yourself Sorry 10 offend an su-
thoress; but [ decline 10 read your book.
and more than that, forbid you the SUBJ
ject entirely For the next 20 years. az
least Let by-gones be by-gones.
That eventful morning Mr. Rutland
called and proposed 20 Ruperta She de-
clined politely. but firmly.
che told Mrs. Bassett and Mrs. 6ss.
sstt told Richard, in a nervous way. but
his answer surprised her. lie said he
was very glad Of IL Rurerta could do
better.
Mrs Bassett could not resist the
pleasure Of telling Lady BaSsett She
went over on purpose, with her husbands
consent
Lady Bassett asked 20 see Rup~rts-
BY all means" said Richard Bassett
graciously.
on her return 20 Biehmore. Ruperta
asked leave to go TO the hall every day.
and nurse Lady Bassett. They will let
her die else said she.
Richard Bassett assented TO that. too.
Ruperta. for some weeks. almost lived
at the hail In this emergency revealed