Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-25


 "Y es, she answered, rising; "I am ready "
 And gathering up her energies, she passed out to meet her fate.
 CHAPTER xLII. GEORGE IS SEEN TO LAUGH Ida and her father reached the vestibule to find Edward Cossey standing with his face to the mantelpiece and nervously toying with some curiosities upon it. He was, as | usual, dressed with great care, and his face, though pale and worn from the effects ot agitation of mind, looked, if anything hard. somer than ever. As soon as he heard them coming, which, owing to his partial deafness he did not do till they were quite close to him. he turned round with start, and a sudden flush of color came upon his face. Tbe squire shook hands with him in a solemn sort of way, like people do when they meet at a funeral, and Ida barely touched his outstrerched fingers with her own. A few random remarks followed about the weather, which really for once in a way was equal to the conversational strain put upon 1t, but at length these died away, and there came au awful pause. It was broken at length by the squire, who, standing with his back to the fire, his eyes fixed upon the wall opposite, after much humming and having. delivered himself thus:
 II understand, Mr. Cossey, that you have come to hear my daughters final decision on the matter of the proposal of marriage which you have made and renewed to her. Now. of course, this is a very important question, very important indeed, and it is one with which cannot presume even to seem to in- terfere. Therefore 1 shall, without com ment, leave my daughter to speak for her self"
 ,o,,SI I>nFp,. oh II interrupted, drawing indeed but poor augury of success from Ida's icy looks. "I have come to renew my offer and to take my final answer, and 1 beg Miss de h Molle to consider how deep and sincere must be that affection which has endured through so many rebuffs. know, or at the least I fear, that do not occupy the place in her feelings that l should wish to, but look to time to change this; at any rate, am willing to take my chance. As regards money, I repeat the offer that have already made"- 'There, should not say too much about that, broke in the squire, impatiently. ''Oh, why nota" said Ida, in bitter sarcasm. 'Mr. Cossey knows it is ono of the best argu- ments with our sex. I presume that, as a preliminary to the renewal of the engage. ment, the persecution of my father which is being carried on by your lawyer will cease " Absolutely"
 And if the engagement is not renewed, the money will. of course, be called ini" My lawyers advise that it should be-" he answered, sullenly; ''but, see here Ida, you may make your own terms about money. Marriage, after all, is practically a matter of bargaining, and am not going to stand out about the price,"
 You are really most generous" went on Ida, in the same bitter tone, the irony of vvhich 6o bor. .fofh T. stood her mood better than did her lover. "I only regret that I cannot appreciate the generosity more than I do. But it is at least in my power to give you the return which you deserve. So can no longer hesitate, but once and for au'-
 And she stopped dead, and stared at the glass door as though she saw a ghost. Both her father and Edward Cossey followed the motion of her eyes, and this was what they saw: Up the steps came Col. Quaritch and George. Doth were pale and weary looking but the former was at least clean. As for George this could not be said His head was still adorned with the red night cap, his hands were cut and dirty, and on his clothes was an unlimited supply of incrusted filth. What the dickens"-began the squire | and at that moment George, who was lead ! ing, knocked at the door,
 "You can't come ill now," roared the | squire. Don't you see that we are en. l gageda"
 But we must como in, squire, begging | your pardon" answered George. with de termination, as he opened the door. "We've l got that to say as won't keep" II tell you that it must keep, sir," said the old gentleman, working himself into rage "Am not to be allowed a moments privacy in my own house? I wonder at your conduct Co1 O,,o ritch 1 me when tell you that 1t is not wanted" II am sure that I apologize, Mir. de Ia Molle," began the colonel, utterly taken aback, 'but what have to say is"- | The best way that you can apologize is by l withdrawing" answered the squire with majesty. II shall be most happy to heaz what you have to say on another occasion" "Oh. squire, squire, don't be such a fule begging your pardon for the word," said George, in evaporation. "Don't go a-knock ing of your head agin brick wall" twill you be off, sirs" roared his master in voice that made the walls shake.
 By this time Ida had recovered herself
 She seemed to feel that her lover had some thing to say that concerned her deeply-prob ably she read it in hiseyes.
 l Father" she said, raising her voice, "l won't have Col. Quaritch turned away from the door like that. If you will not admi,
 him, will go outside and hear what 1t 1, that he has to say."
 In his heart the squire held Ida in som, awe. He looked at her, and saw that he,
 eyes were flashing and her breast heaving
 and he gave way.
 "Oh, very well, since my daughter insists
 on it, pray como in," and he bowed. '"1i
 such an intrusion falls in with your ideas o1
 decency, 1t is not for me to complain" II accept your invitation" answered
 Harold, looking very angry, "because hay,
 something to say which you must hear, ant
 hear at once. No, thank you, will stapd
 Now, Mir. de Ia Molle, it is this, wonderful q
 it may seem. It has been my fortune to dis
 cover the treasure hidden by Sir James de l.
 Molle in the year 164S." | There was a universal gasp of astonish | ment.
 "Whatf" said the squire. ''Why, though
 that the whole thing was . myth"
 "No, that 1t amt, sir ? said George, with
 melancholy smile, "'cos I've seen it"
 Ida had sunk into a chair.
 "What Is the amountF' she asked, in low
 eager voice.
 'I have been unable to calculate exactly