Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-16
somebody outside. Presently he entered.
 s'How is hef' asked Harold. "Will he liver'
 "They cannot say," was the answer. "But two great doctors have been telegraphed for from London, and will be down tomorrow"
CHAPTER xxx.
IDA RECANrS.

 The two great doctors came, and the two great doctors pockesed their hundred guinea fee and went, but neither the one nor the other, nor eke the twain, would commit to fixed opinion as to Edward CosseyS chances of life or death. However, one of them picked out number of shot from the wounded man, and 0 number more he left in because he could not pick them out, and they both agreed that the treat ment of their humble local brethren was all that could be desired, and, so far as they were concerned, there was an end of it. A week had passed, and Edward Cossey, nursed night and day by Belle Quest, still lowered between life and death. i, It was Thursday, and Harold had walked up to the castle to give the squire the latest news of the wounded man. While he was in the vestibule telling what he had to tell to Mir. de la Molle and Ida, a man whom he recognized as one of Mr. Quests clerks rang the bell. He was shown in, and handed the squire fully addressed brief envelope, which, he said, he had been told to deliver by Mir. Quest, and adding that there was no answer, bowed himself out.
 As soon as hehad gone, the envelope was opened by Mr. de la Molle, who took from it two legal looking documents which he began to read. Suddenly the first dropped from
  snatched at the second.
 "What is it, fathera' asked Ida.
 "What is ita Why, it,s just this. Edward Cossey has transferrete che mortgages over this property to Quest, the lawyer, and Quest has served q notice on me calling in the money,n and he began to walk up and down the room ill q state of great agitation. ''I don't quite understand" said Ida, her breast heaving, and with curious light shining in her eyes.
 Dent you3' said her father, "then per haps you will read that" and he pushed the papers to her. As he did so, another letter, which he had not observed, fell out of them. At this point Harold rose to go.
 Don't go. Quaritch, don't go," said the squire. 1T shall be glad of your advice, and am sure that what you hear will not go any further"
 At the same time Ida motioned him to stay, and though somewhat unwilling he did so.
 "Dear sir" began the squire, reading the etter aloud
 ''Inclosed you will find the usual formal notices calling in the sum of thirty thousand pounds recently advanced upon mortgage of the Honham castle states by Edward Cossey, Esq. These mortgages have passed into my possession for value received, and it is now
  gret being forced to press an old client, but my circumstances arc such that am obliged so to do. If 1 can in any way facilitate your efforts to raise the money, shall be very glad to do so but ill the event of the money not being forthcoming at the end o6 the six months notice, the ordinary steps will be taken to realize by foreclosure.
 II am, dear sir, yours truly,
 "W. QUEST.
 "James de la Molle, Esq, J. F."
 II see now" said Ida. "Mr Cossey has no further hold on thS mortgages or on the property"
 "That's it," said the squire; ''he has trans ferred them to that ra=cally lawyer. And vet he told mel can't understand it. really can't"
 At this point the colonel insisted upon de- parting, saying that he would call in again in the evening to see if he could be of any assistance. When he was gone, Ida spoke in a cold, determined voice:
 ''Mr. Cossey told me that when we mar ried he would put those mortgages ill the fire. It now seems that the mortgages were not his to dispose of, or else that he has since transferred them to Mir. Quest, without in- forming us."
 "Yes I suppose so," said the squire.
 ''Very well," said Ida. And now, father, I will tell you something. I engaged myself or to be more accurate, promised to en- gage myself-to Edward Cossey on the con- dition that he would take up these mortgages when Cossey & Son were threatening to fore close, or whatever 1t is called" "Good heavens!" said her astonished father, 'swhat an idea!n
 II did it," went on Ida, land he took up the mortgages, and in due course he claimed my promise, and became engaged to marry him, though that engagement was most re- | pugnant to me. You will see that, having persuaded him to advance the money, could not refuse to carry out my share of the bargain"
 "Well," said the squire, ''this is all new to mel"
 "Yes," she answered, land should never have told you of it had it not been for this sudden change in the position of affairs. What l did I did to save our family from ruin. But now it seems that MT. Cossey has played us false, and that We are to be ruined after all. Therefore, the condition upon which promised to marry him has not been carried out, and my promise falls to the ground"
 'You mean that supposing he lives you will not marry Edward Cossey?"
 "Yes, do mean it."
 The squire thought for a minute. ''This Is a very serious step, Ida" he said. II don't mean that think that the man has behaved well but still he may have given up the mortgages to Quest under pressure of some sort, and might be willing to find the money to meet them"
 II do not care if he finds the money ten times over," said Ida. T will not marry him. He has not kept to the letter of his bond, and will not keep to mine"
 "lt is all very we'll, Ida," said the squire "and of course nobody can force you into q distasteful marriage, but wish to point out one thing to you. You have your family tc think of as we'll as yourself. l tell you frankly that do not believe that, as times are, it will be possible to raise thirty thousand pounds to pay off the charges, unless it is by the help of Edward Cossey. So if he lives and as he has lasted so long I expect he will live-and you refuse to go on with your en gagement to him, we shall be sold up, that i all, for that fellow Quest, confound him, vii show us no mercy"
 1T know it, father," answered Ida, .but cannot and will not marry him, and I do no think you can expect me to. got engaged