Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-02-08

that the whole thing was u myth"
mo, that It amt, sir" said George with
melancholy SMILE "'cos I've seen it,"
Ida had sunk into chair.
"What is the amountf' she asked in a low,
eager voice.
~ have been unable to calculate exactly,
but, speaking roughly, it cannot be much
under fifty thousand pounds, estimated Oh
the value of tho gold alone. Here is a speci-
mon of it," and Harold pulled out handful
of rails and other coins, and poured them on
to the table.
Ida hid her face in her hand, and Edward
Cossey, realizing what this unexpected do
velopment of events might mean for him,
began to tremblc
Il should not allow myself to he too much
elated Mr.. de la Molle," he Sid, with
sheer; "for even if this tale be true, it is
treasure trove and belongs to the CROWN
"Ah," said the squire, 81 never thought of
that
"But have" said the colonel, quietly. "If
remember right, the last of the original De
la Molles left will in which he specially de-
vised this treasure hidden by his father to
your ancestor. That this is the identical
treasure l am fortunately in position to
prove by this parchment" and he laid the
writing that he had found with the gold upon
the table
"Quite rght-quite right" said the squire;
"that will take it ont of the CUSTOM
perhaps the solicitor to the treasury may
hold different opinion said Cossey, with
another sneer
Just then Ida took her hand from her face
There was dcwy look about her eyes, and
the last rpples of a happy smile fingered
round the corners of her mouth
4I,r4 hn,vN ri t.+I,o
Quarith had TO say" she said in her softest
voice, aud addressing her father, 'thero is no
reason why we should not finish cur business
with Mr.. Cosscy."
Here Harold and George turned to go, but
she waved them back imperiously, and be-
gan speaking before any one could interfere,
taking up her speech where she had broken
it off when she caught sight of the colonel and
George coming up the steps.
II can no longer hesitate" she said, "but
once and for all decline to marry you, Mr..
Cossey, and hope that shall never see your
face again"
At this announcement the bewidered squire
put his hand to his head. Edward Cossey
staggered yisibly and rested himself against
the table, while George murmured, audbly:
"That's n good job"
LISTEN" said Ida, rising from her
/ CHAIR, nor eyes uaSnlnS as the thought
of all the shame and agony she had
undergone rose In her mind-"listen, Mr.
Cosseyn-and she pointed her finger at him
"this is the history of our connection. Some
months ago | was so foolish, taking you for a
gentleman, as to ask your help in the matter
of the mortgages which your bank was call
ing in. You then practically made terms
that if it should at any tirno be your wish
should become engaged to you; and !, having
no option, accepted. Then, in the interval,
while it was inconvenient TO you TO enforce
your rights | gave my affection elsewhere
But when You, having deserted the lady who
stood in your way-no, do not inter
rupt me; l know it, l know it all,
! know it from her own lips
came forward and claimed my promise, |
was forced to assent. Then n loop hole Of
. escape presented itself, and awaited myself
OF it. What followed You again became
possessed OF power over my father and this
place, you insulted the man l loved, you re-
sorted to every oxpedlent that the law would
allow to torture my father and myself. You
set your lawyers upon US like dogs upon a
hare, you held ruin over us, and again and
again yoI cffnred me money, as much money
as | wished, IL only | would sell myself to
you. And then You bided your time, leaving
despair to do its work. saw the tolls clos
7 ing round US. knew that II did not yield
, my father would be driven from his home in
{ his old age, and that the place he loved bet
ter than his life would pass to strangers
would pass to YOU No, father, do not stop
, me, will speak my mind. And at last de
r termined that, cost what it might, | would