Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-26
C0L0NELQUARITCH,V.C.
By H. RIDER HAGGARD.

elopment of events might mean for him, egan to tremble.
 "I should not allow myself to be too much lated, Mir. de la Mclle," he said, with neer; "for even if this tale be true, 1t is | reasure trove and belongs to the crown" "Ah," said the squire "I never thought of hat"
 ,"But have" said the colonel, quietly. "If remember right, the last of the original De Molles loft will in which he specially de- tised this treasure hidden by bis father to tour ancestor. That this is the identical treasure l am fortunately in position to prove by this parchment" and he laid the rriting that he had found with the gold upon he table
 'tQuite right-quite right" said the squire; 'that will take it out of the custom" "Perhaps the solicitor to the treasury may lold different opinion," said Cossey, with mother sheer.
 Just then Ida took her hand from her face. There was a dewy look about her eyes, and he last nipples of a happy smile fingered ound the corners of her mouth
 "Now, that we have heard what Col ouarith had to say," she said, in her softest roice and addressing her father, "there is no eason why we should not finish our business with MT. Cossey."
 Here Harold and George turned to go, but he waved them back imperiously, and be- gan speaking before any ono could interfere, l aking up her speech where she had broken of when she caught sight of the colonel and George coming up the steps. II can no longer hesitate" she said, '.but ,nce and for all decline to marry you, Mr. cossey, and hope that shall never see your lace again"
 At this announcement the bewildered squire llt his hand to his head. Edward Cossey taggered vinbly and rested himself against he table, while George murmured, audibly: That's a good job"
 "Listen," said Ida, rising from her chair, her eyes flashing as the thought ,f all the shame and agony she had undergone rose in her mind" listen, MT. Cossey"-and she pointed her finger at him this is the history of our connection Some months ago was so foolish, taking you for | gentleman, as to ask your help in the matter # the mortgages which your bank was call ng in. You then practically made terms hat If 1t should at any time be your wish 'heuld become engaged to you; and l. having 10 option, accepted. Then, in the interval, while it was inconvenient to you to enforce Tcur rights, gave my affection elsewhere. But when you, having deserted the lady who rtood in your way-no, do not inter upt me; know it, know it all, know it from her own lips same forward and claimed my promise, was forced to assent. Then a loop hole of escape presented itself, and availed myself ,f it. What followedi You again became possessed of power over my father and this place. you insulted the man loved, you re- orted to every expedient that the law would lllow to torture my father and myself You mel &o 60rro aare, you held ruin over us, and again and again you offered me money, as much money IS wished, if only would sell myself to rou. And then you bided your time, leaving despair to do its work. saw the tolls clos hg round us. knew that If did not yield my father would be driven from his home in his old age, and that the place he loved bet Ter than his life would pass to strangers would pass to you No, father, do not stop me, will speak my mind. And at last de- termined that cost what it might, would yield. Whether could have carried out my determination God only knows. I almost think that should have killed myself upon my marriage day. l made up my mind. Not five minutes ago the very words were upon my lips that would have sealed my late. when deliverance came. And now go. 1 have done with you. Your money shall be paid to you, capital and interest, down to the last farthing. l tender back my price, and knowing you for what you are, 1-I de- spise you That is all have to say.'' "Well, if that bean't master one," ejacu- lated George, aloud.
 Ida, who had never looked more beautiful than she did in this moment of passion, turned to seat herself. but the tension of her feelings and the torrent of her wrath and eIo- quence had been too much for her, and she would have fallen had not Harold, who had been listening, amazed, to this overpowering outburst of nature. run up and caught her in bis arms.
 As for Edward Cossey, he had shrunk back lnvoluntarily beneath the volume of her bcorn till he stood with his back against the paneled wall. His face was white as sheet; despair and fury shone in his large dark eyes, Never had he desired this woman more fercely than he did now in the mo ment when he knew that she had escaped him forever. In . sense he was to be pitied, for passion tore his heart in twain. For moment he stood thus, and then, with a spring rather thar 0 step, he advanced across the room till he was face to face with Har- old, who, with Ida half fainting still in his arms and her head upon his shoulder, was standing on the further side of the great open grate.
 "- youl" he said, II owe this to you, you half pay adventurer." and he lifted his arm as though to strike him. "Come, none of thati" said the squire, gpeaking for tho first time 1T will have no brawling here"
 'No," put in George, edging his long form between the two, ''And begging your pardon, sir, don't you go accaliing of better men than yourself adventurers. At any rate, if the colonel Ii an adventurer, he has adventured to some purpose, as is easy to see;' and he pointed to Ida lying in bis arms
 'Hold your tongue, sir" roared the squire, as usual relieving his feelings on his re- tainer. "You are always showing your oar l in where 1t isn't wanted"
 "All right, squire-all right" said George the imperturbable; 'sthen his manners shouldn't be aich.n
 "Do you mean to allow this." said Cossey, turning fiercely to the old gentleman "Do you mean to allow this man to marry your daughter for her moneyr
 ''Mr. Cossey," answered the squire, with his politest and most old fashioned bow, l "whatsver sympathy may have felt for you is being rapidly alienated by your manner. told you that my daughter must speak for herself. She has spoken very clearly, and in .h ' h~y >As .x>y~~ LI k~A A>~