The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-19
SH~~Hf
; A TERRIBLE temptation {
( CHARLES READE <
In NNNN
CHARLES READE

he takes the hum and goes TO some other
lawyer. who will warm him with hopes
instead OF cooling him with a one sided
and hostile view OF his case.
In the present discussion Mr.. Oldheld's
habit OF beginning by admiring his ad-
versa ries. together with the knowledge
OF law and little else. and his secret
conviction that Sir Charles was unsound
OF mind. combined to paralyze him; and
not being a man Of invention. he could
not see his way out OF the wood at all
he could negative Mr.. Angeles sugges-
tion and give good reasons but he could
not. or did not. suggest anything better
10 be done.
Lady Bassett listened to his negative
wisdom with a bitter smile. and said. at
last. with sigh. 1T seems. then. we
are To sit quiet and do nothing, while
Mr. Passett and his solicitor strike blow
upon blow. Therel I'll fight my own
battle; and do you try and find some way
OF defending the poor souls that are In
trouble because they did not sit with
their hands before them when their bene-
factor was outraged. Command my
purse II money will save them from
| prison"
Then she rose with dignity. and
walked like a cameopard all down the
room on the side opposite Mr.. Oldheld
Angelo few 10 open the door. and In
whisper begged a word with her In pri-
vate. She bowed assent. and passed on
from the room.
What fine creature! said Mr.. Old
| field How she walks
Mr.. Angelo made no reply to this.
, but asked him what was TO be done for
the poor men: "They will be up before
! the bench tomorrow.
Stung a little by Lady Bassetts re-
| ,oa III Nv nldNaId answered promptly:
I'VE must get some tradesmen TO bail
| them with our money. IL viii be only
few pounds apiece. III the bail Is ac-
/ cepted. they shall offer pecuniary com
pensation. and get up defense; ma
| somebody 10 swear Sir Charles was sane
that sort of evidence Is always TO be
| got Counsel must do the rest. Simple
native-bsnefactor ma ged-honest i'm
/ puise-regretted the moment they under
! stood the capture had been legally made.
Then throw dirt on the plaintiff. He Is
| malicious and can be proved 10 have
| foresworn himself in Bassett VS.. Bassett.
tap at the door. and Mary Wells put
in her head. If you please. sir, my lady
] is tired. and she wishes a word 10 you
before she goes upstairs.
Excuse me one minute" said Mr.. An
! selo and followed Mary Wells She
ushered him into the houdoir. where he
| found Lady Bassett seated In an arm
chair. with her head on her hand, and
her eyes fixed sadly on the carpet
She smiled family. and said: We'll.
what do you wish to say TO me7'
"It is about Mr. Oldfeld. He is clearly
incompetent"
III don't know / snubbed him, poor
man: but IL the law is all against US.
How does he know that? He assumes
Il because he is prejudiced in favor of
the enemy How does he know they have
done everything the act OF parliament
| requires? And. II they have. law Is not
, invincible. When law denes morality 1t
gets baff,ed and tramped on in all civil
ized communities"
Il never heard that before.
But you would IL you had been at
Oxford" said he. smiling.
"Ahi"
What We want is man OF genius.
Of invention; a man who Will see every
chance take every chance. lawful or un-
lawful and fight with all manner OF
weapons"
LADY Bassett's eye flashed moment.
"Ahr said she; .'but where can nnd
such a man, with knowledge to guide his
zeal?"
all events advise you, II you would ASK
/ him."
"Ah. who?"
.He is a writer; and opinions vary as
! TO his merit. Some say he has talent
| others say Il is all eccentricity and aHec-
alton. one thing is certain-his books
/ bring about the changes he demands. Ana
! then he Ia In earnest, he has taken a
! good many alleged lunaucs out OF con-
! rnement."
lis it possible? Then lie. us apply to
( him at once
'He lives in London; but have a friend
who knows him. May send an outline 10
/ him through that friend, and ask him
! whether he can advise you In the mat
/ teri"
lyon may: and thank you thousand
/ times!'
"A mind like that, with knowledge,
/ zeal, and invention. must surely throw
| some light"
zone would think SO. dear friend.
! "Iu write tonight and send letter to
! Greatrex; we shall perhaps get an answer
! the day after tomorrow
! "Ah, you are not the one TO go to
! sleep i'm the service Of n friend. writer,
/ did you say? What does he write?
Fiction"
/ What. novels?'
And dramas and all
! Lady Bassett sighed incredulously. Il
should never think OF going TO fiction for
wisdom"
! when the Family Calas were about TO
be executed unjustly with the consent Of
/ all the lawyers and statesmen in France.
! one man In a nation saw the error and
| fought for the innocent, and saved them;
: and that one wise man I'm a nation Of
! fools was a writer OF flction.'
/ "Oh, a learned Oxorian can always an
/ swer a poor ignorant thing like me One
! swallow does not make summer. for all
| that
But this writer's Actions are not Ike
! the novels YOU read: they are the works
/ OF laborious research Besides. he II "A
/ lawyer. as we'll as n novelist"
I "Oh. IL he is a lawyer
Then I may write?"
Yes" said Lady Bassett despondingly.
I What is To become OF Oldneld?"
I Send him TO tho dra wing room I will
/ 60 down and endure him for another
4 hour. You can write your letter here. and