The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-02
SCcDtinued)
CHAPTER Y

both her hands right over her husband s
ears that he might hear no more Insults.
Sir Charles very nearly had Mt but
his wife loosened his neckoloth caressed
HE throbbing head and applied eau-de-
cologne 10 his nostrils. He got better.
but felt dizzy for about an hour. She
made him come into her room and lie
down: she hung over him. curling as a
vine and light as a bird. and her kisses
NJ softly as down upon his eyes, and her
words of love and pity murmured music
In his ears Till he slept and that danger
passed.
For a day or two after this both Sir
Charles and Lady Bassett avoided the
unpleasant subject. But IL had 10 be
faced. so Mr. Oldneld was summoned 10
Huntercombe. and all engagements given
UP for the day, that he might dine alone
with them. and talk the matter over.
Sir Charles thought he could justify.
but when IL came 10 the point he could
only prove that Richard had done sew
eral ungentlemanllke things OF nature
q stout Jury would consider trihes
But Mr.. Oldhed said OF course they
must enter an appearance and. this done,
the wisest course would be TO let hlm
see Wheeler. and try TO compromise the
suit 1T would cost you a thousand
pounds Sir Charles. | dare say, but, II II
teaches you never 10 write of an enemy
or 10 an enemy without showing your
lawyer the letter first. the lesson VIII be
cheap. Somebody In the Bible says. on.
that mine enemy would write book
I say, oh that he would write a letter
-without consulting his solicitor.
Ii was Lady Bassetts cue now 20
make light OF troubles. What does &,
matter. Mr.. Odfeld? All they want If
money. Yes. offer them thousand
pounds 10 leave him in peace peace o.uoa On
Wheeler. all smiles and civility and
asked him IL he did not think II pity
cousins should quarrel before the whole
county.
"A great pity" said Wheeler. But my
client has no alternative. No gentle
man in the county would speak 10 him
II he sat quiet under such contumely.
After beating about the bush the usual
time Oldfield said that Sir Charles was
hungry tor litigation, but that Lady Bus
sett was averse to IT, In short, MT
dal." '"ouSan' POUNDS 70 'o'' ''''s
II will consult him and let you know
said Wheeler. He happens to be In the
Oldreid called again in an hour. Wheel
er told him thousand pounds would be
accepted, with a written apology
Oldfeld shook his head Sir Charles
will never write an apology; right or
wrong, he is too sincere In his conVic-
ton"
You must not be too sure of that You
don't know the defense
oldheld said this with gravity which
did him credit
do you know IL yourself? SAID the
other keen hand.
Mr.. Oldfieid smiled haughtily. but said
nothing. Wheeler had hit the mark
"By the bye" said the latter. there
is another little matter. Sir Charles as
saulted me for doing my duty TO my cli-
emit mean to sue him. Here is the
writ VIII you sScePxy Px,snIsr service ana am
glad TO find you do not make habit or
serving writs on gentleman In person;
'of course not. did II on u.h q single nnS
went in person-to soften the biow-in-
stead of sending my clerk.
After this little spar. the two artlsts
in law bade each other ,,.,,;,, fsrewe'i WIN
Sir Charles would not apologize. ~
The plaintiff filed his declaration.
The defendant pleaded not guilty, but
did not disclose a defense. The law all
lows defendant in libel this advantage.
Plaintiff Joined issues, and the trial was
set down for the next assizes.
Sir Charles was irritated; but nothing
more. Lady Bassett, with a womans
natural shrinking from publicity, felt IL
more deeply.
"she would have given thousands OF
her own money 10 keep the matter out OF
court. But her very terror OF Richard
Bassett restrained her. She was always
thinking about him. and had convinced
herself he was the ablest villain In the
wide world: and she thought TO her
self. "If with his small means, he an
noys Charles SO. what would he do n
were 10 enrich hip7 He woud crush
us
AS the trial drew near she began 70
hover about Sir Charles In his study, ike
an anxious hen. The maternal yearnings
were awakened In her by marriage, and
she had no child: so her Charles In trou-
bic was husband and child
Sometimes she would come i'm and Just
kiss his forehead and run out again.
casting back celestial look Of love at
the door and though IL was her husband
che had kissed. she blushed divinely AT
last one day she crept In and said very
tImidiy. Charles. dear. the anonymous
letter-is not that an excuse for libelins
him, as they call telling the truth?"
why, OF course II is Have you got
itg"
Dearest. the brave lady took IL away"
THE brave lady! Who is thaty
why. the lady that came with Mr.. Old
field and pleaded your cause with papa
oh so eioauently! Sometimes when l
think OF II now I feel almost jealous.
Who is she7'
From what YOU have always told me,
think Il was the sister Of charity who
nursed me"
You silly thing. she was no sister
OF charity. that was only put on. Charles
tell me the truth what does II matter
now II was some lazy who loved you"
Loved me. and set her wits 10 work
10 marry me 10 you2
Woman's love IS 50 disinterested-
sometimes
No no. she told me she was a sister Of
-, ana no doubt that is the truth"
sister of whom
NO matter don't remind me ~ the
past. ~ is odious 10 me. and oo sec.
ond thoughts, rather than stir un All
that mud. II would be better not ~ use
the anonymous letter even n YOU could
get n again
Lady Bassett begged him 10 ,aka "A
vice on that; meantime she would ,rv
20 get the letter. and also the evidence
that Richard Bsssett wrote a.
see no harm In that" said Sir
Charles: 'only conhne your communica-
tion 90 Mr.. Oidneld 7 viii not have You
speaking or writing 90 woman | don,
know; and the more I think of hcr CON
duct the less I understand g."
There are people who do good bv
stealth" suggested Bella tlmidly
"Fiddlededeei" replied Sir Charles you
are q goose mean an angel"