Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-14

SOsIo All Suo lOoin III LOHuOu. He read on for little way and then put the letter down upon the table There was no need for him to go on, it was all in the same strain.
 "You will observe, Mr. Cossey that this is copy" said MT. Quest; "but if you like you can inspect the original document"
 He made no answer.
 'Now," went on Mir. Quest, handing him a second paper, "here is the copy of another letter, of which the original is in your hand | writing."
 Edward glanced at it. It was an inter- cepted letter of his own, dated about a year before, and its contents, though not of SO pas slonate a nature as the other, were still of a sufficiently discriminating character. He put it down upon the table by the side of the first, and waited for Mr. Quest to go on.
 '1 have other evidence" said his visitor presently; "but you are probably sufficiently versed ill such matters to know that these letters alone are almost enough for my pur- pose, which is to commence a suit for divorce against my wife, in which you will, of course, Ill accordance with the provisions of the act, be joined as correspondent. Indeed, have already drawn up letter of instruction to my London agents directing them to take the preliminary steps, and he pushed third paper toward him.
 Edward Cossey turned his back to his tor mentor, and, resting his head upon bis hand, tried to think.
 ''Mr. Quest" he said presently in a hoarse voice, without admitting anything, there are reasons which would make it ruinous to me if such an action were commenced at present."
 'Yes," he answered, 'tthere are. In the first place, there Is no knowing what view your father would take of the matter, and how his view would affect your future inter- ests, and in the second, your engagement to Miss de la Molle, upon which your heart is so strongly set, would certainly be broken off, "
 ''How do you know that am engaged P asked Edward in surprise.
 ''It does not matter how I know it." said the lawyer. II do know it, SO it will be use- less for you to deny it. As you remark, this suit will probably be your ruin In every way, and therefore 1t is, as you will easily under stand, good moment for man who wants his revenge to choose to bring it."
 ''Without admitting anything" answered Edward Cossey, II wish to ask you a ques- tion. Is there no way out of thisa Supposing that have done you a wrong, wrong admits of compensation"
 ''Yes, it does, MT. Cossey, and I have thought of that. Everybody has his price in this world, and have mine; but the compen- sation for such a wrong must be q heavy one."
 At what price will you agree to stay the action forevera' he asked.
 1.-The price that I will take to stay the action is the transfer into my name of the mortgages you hold over the Honham castle estates, answered Mr. Quest, quietly.
 'Great heavens!' said Edward, ''why, that is a matter of thirty thousand pounds!"
 II know 1t is, and know also that it is worth your while to pay thirty thousand pounds to save yourself from the scandal, the chance of disinheritance, and the certainty of the loss of the woman whom you want to marry. So well do I know 1t that I have prepared the necessary deeds for your sigma ture, and here they are. Listen, sir" he went on, sternly; "refuse to accept my terms and by to-night's post shall send this letter of instruction. Also shall send to MT. Cossey, senior, and to MT. do la Molle copies of these two precious epistles," and he pointed to the discriminating documents, land a copy of the letter to my agents; and where will you be thens Consent, and will bind myself not to proceed in any way or form. Now, make your choice"
 ''But cannot; even if will, cannot" said he, almost wringing his hands in his perplexity. "1t was on condition of my talk ing up those mortgages that Ida consented to become engaged to me, and have promised that will cancel them on our wedding. Will you not take money insteadP'
 "Yes," answered Mir. Quest, "I would take money. A little time ago would not have taken it because wanted that property, but have changed my ideas. But as you your self said, your credit is strained to the ut most, and while your father is alive you will not find it possible to raise another thirty thousand pounds. Besides, if this matter is to be settled at all it must be settled now. will not wait while you make attempts to raise the money"
 ''But about the mortgages? promised to keep them. What shall say to 1dag
 Say? Say nothing. You can meet them if you like after your fathers death. Refuse if you like, but if you refuse you will be mad. Thirty thousand pounds will be nothing to you, but exposure will be ruin Have you made up your minda You must take my offer or leave it. Sign the documents, and will put the originals of these two letters into your hands; refuse, and I will rako my steps,"
 Edward Cossey thought for moment, and then said: II will sign. Let me see the pa pers."
 MT. Quest turned aside to hide the expres- sion of triumph which fitted across his face and then handed him the deeds They were
 
 gal draughtsman, quite as skillful as many legal chancery conveyancer, but the sub- stance of them was that the mortgages were transferred to him by the said Edward Cossey ill and for the consideration that he, the said William M. Quest, consented to abandon for. ever pending action for divorce against bis wife, Belle Quest, whereto the said Edward Cossey was to be joined as correspondent.
 ''You will observe" said MT. Quest, "that if you attempt to contest the validity of this assignment, which you certainly could not do with any prospect of success, the attempt will recoil upon your own head, because the whole scandal will then transpire. We shall require some witnesses, so, with your per mission, will ring the bell and ask the land. lady and your servant to step up They need know nothing of the contents of the papers, and he did so.
 "Stop," said Edward presently. Where are the original 1etterst"
 "Here," answered MT. Quest, producing them from an inner pocket, and showing them to him from distance. "When the landlady comes up, will give them to her to hold in this envelope, directing her to hand them to you when the deeds are signed and witnessed. She will only think that it i, %Nf<