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

H''h WHO Hau Drought TINS last extremity of
misery upon them both. He was a Just man.
and could make allowances for his rivals in
fatuation-which indeed Ida being con-
cerncd, it was not difficult for him TO under
stand. But he was also and above all things.
agenteman, and the spectacle of woman
being incxorably driven into distasteful
marriage by money pressure, put on by the
man who wished to gain her, revolted him
beyond measure, and, though he was slow to
wrath moved him to fiery Indignation. so
much did it move him that he took u resolu-
tlon-Mr. COssey should know his mind
about the matter, and that at once. Ringing
the bell, he ordered his dog cart and drove to
Edward CossexS rooms, with the full inten-
ton of giving that gentleman a very unpleas-
ant quarter of an hour.
Mr. Cosscy was in, and fearing lest he
should refuse to see him, the colonel followed
the servant up the stairs and entered al
most us she announced his name There
was a grim and even formidable look
upon his plain but manly face and some-
thing Of menace, too, in his formal and
soldierly bearing; nor did his aspect soften
when his eyes fell upon the full length picture
of Ida over the mantelpiece
| Edward COsSoy rose with establishment and
irritation, not unmixed with nervousness de-
pcted on his face. The last person whom he
wished to see and expected visit from was
Col. Quaritch, whom i'll his heart he held in
considerable awe. Besides, be had of late re-
ceived such a series of unpleasant visits that
/ it is not wonderful that he began to dread
these interviews.
Good day" he said, coldly "Will you be
seated"
The colonel bowed his head slightly, but he
did not sit down.
"To what am indebted for the pleasurep
began Edward Cossey, with much politeness.
Last time / was here, Mr.. Cossey," said
the colonel, i'll his deep voice, speaking very
deliberately, Il came to give an explanation;
now come TO ask one.n
"Indcedn
YES. To come to tho point, Miss de la
Mole and | are attached to each other and
there has been between us an understanding
that that attachment might end in mar
riage."
ooh! has there" said tho younger man,
calmly, with sheer.
Eyes" answered the colonel, keeping down
his rising temper as well as he could. But
now l am told, upon what appears to be good
authority, that you have actually conde-
scended to bring, directly and indirectly,
pressure of a monetary sort to bear upon Miss
dc la Molle and her father in order to force
her into distasteful marriage with vou.n
And what the devil business of yours is it,
SIR asked Cossey, what l have or have not
donel Making every allowance for the dis
appointment of an unsuccessful sutton, for
presume that you appear in that character"
again he sneered, Il ask what business is it
of yours"
ut is every business Of mine, Mr.. Cossey,
because if Miss de la Mole is forced into this
1 shall lose my wife"
Then you will certainly lose her. Do you
suppose that l am going to consider youi
Indeed" he went on, being now in q tow
ering passion, 81 should have thought
that considering the difference between
US, of age and fortune, you might
find other reasons than you suggest
to account for my being preferred to
you, if ! should be SO preferred Ladies are
apt to choose the better man, you know"
Il don't quite know what you mean by
the better man. Mr. Cossey," said the
colonel quietly. "Without wishing to make
any comparisons, l may say that in birth,
in breeding, perhaps even in education and
the record of my life in which at least
have not disgraced myself, l am fully your
equal, though | admit that you have the I'D
vantage Of me in money and in years
However, that is not the point; the point is
that have had the fortune to be preferred
to you by the lady in question, and not you
to me. happen to know that you and the
idea of marriage with you is as distasteful to
Miss de la Molle as 1t is to Inc. This know
from her own lips. She will only marry
you, if she does at all. under the direct neces-
sity, and to save her father from the ruin
You are deliberately bringing upon him."
"Well, Col. Quaritch," lie answered,
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