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

bilty have been dismayed by this state Of
affairs into reinquishing an attempt at mat
rimony which it was evident could only be
carried through in the face of the quiet but
none the less vigorous dislike and contsmpt
of tho other contracting party. But this was
not so with Edward COSBY. Ida's GOODNESS
exercised upon his tenacious and obstinate
mind much the same effect that may be sup
posed to be produced upon the benighted
seeker for the north pole by frozen ocean
Of icebergs. Like the explorer he was con-
WINGED that if he could get over those cold
and frowning heights he would find q smiling
and sunny land beyond, and perchance many
other delights, and like the explorer again,
he was, metaphorically, ready TO die in the
effort. For to tell the truth, he loved her
moro every day, till now his passion domi-
mated his physical being and his mental iudg-
nent, so that whatever loss was entailed,
whatever obstacles arose, he was determined
to endure and overcome them il by so doing
he might gain his end
He was rejecting upon all this on the morn
ing in question, when Mr.. Quest, looking very
cool and composed and gentleman like, was
Shown into his room, much as Col Quaritch
had been shown in two mornings before,
GLOW do you do Questi" he said, in u from
high to low kind Of tone, which he was in the
habit Of adopting toward his official subor-
dinate5 est down. What is itg'
At is some business, Mr.. Cosscy," the law
yer answered in his usual quiet tones.
"Honham castle mortgages again, sup
pose" growled lie, 81 only hope you don't
want any more money on that account at
present, that's all, because l can't raise an
other cent while the governor lives, for they
don't entail cash and bank shares, you know;
= or.1 7
not lar from the bottom of it,"
"Well," said Mr.. Quest, with a faint smile,
''it has TO do with the Honham castle mort
cages, but as have good deal to say per-
haps we had better wait till the things are
cleared away"
"All light Just ring the bell, will you,
and take cigarettef"
Mr.. Quest smiled again and rang the bell,
but did not take the cigarette When the
breakfast things had been removed he took
chair, and, placingrit on the further side Of
the table in such position that the light,
which was to his back, struck full upon Ed
ward CosSey's face, commenced to deliber-
ately unite and sort his bundle Of papers.
Presently he came to the one he wanted-a
letter. 1t was not an original letter. but a
copy,
"Will you kindly read this, Mr., CosseyT
he said quietly, as he pushed the letter toward
him across the table.
Edward finished lighting his cigarette, and
then took the letter up and glanced at it care
lessly. At the first line, however, his express
sion changed to one Of absolute horror, his
face blauched, tie lorspiration sprang out
upon his forehead, aud the cigarette dropped
from his fingers 10 the carpet, where it lay
smoldering. And no wonder, for the letter
was a copy of one of Bellies most passionate
epistles to himself. lie had never been able
to restrain her from writing these compro-
missing letters. Indeed, this one was tho very
same that, some time before, 1ir. Quest had
distracted from The pocket Of his Longing
coat in the room in London.
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 Slr. Quest; Out if you like you
Can inspect the original document
He made no answer.
"Now,n went on Mr.. Quest, handing him a
second paper, "here is the copy of another
letter, of which the original is in your hand
WIitinG.n
Edward glanced at 1t. 1t was an inter-
cepted letter Of his own, dated about yeaI
before, and its contents, though not Of SO pas
sionato a nature as the other, were still of q
sufficiently discriminating character.
He put it do'Tn upon the table by the side
OF the first, ead waited for Mr.. Quest to
60 on.
81 have other evidence" said his visitor
presently; "but you are probably sufficiently
yersed in such matters TO know that thesf