Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-08

p0und8!" ana suddenly Sho burst into @ flood | of tears and began to sob as though her heart would break. For . moment Harcld Quaritch looked on bswildered, not in the least understanding what Ida meant, and then he followed the impulse common to mankind in similar cir cumstances and took her in his arms Shs did not resent the movement, indeed, she scarcely seemed to notice it, though, to tell the truth, for a moment or two, which to the colonel seemed tho happiest ot his life, her head rested on his shoulder.
 Almost instantly, however, she raised it, freed herself from his embrace and ceased weeping.
 "As have told you so much, 1" she said, "I suppose that had better tell you everything. know that whatever the temptation and she laid great stress upon the words, under any conceivable circumstances-indeed, even If you believed that you were serving me in SO doing-1 can rely upon you never to re- veal to anybody, and above all to my father, what now tell you," and she paused and looked up at him with eyes in which tho tears still swam.
 'Of course you can rely upon me- he said.
 "Very well. am sure that 1 shall never have to reproach you with the words. will tell you have virtually promised to marry Mr. Edward Cossey, should he at any tine ! promise, on condition of his taking up the mortgages on Honhsn, which he has done"
 Harold Quaritch took g step back and looked at her in horrified aStonishment
 "Whatg he asked
 s'Yes, yss," she answered, hastily, putting up her hand as though to shield herself from. . blow. .I know what you mean; but de not think too hardly of me If you caa help. 1t It was not for myself. l would rather work for my living with my hands than take price, for there Is no other word for 1t. It was for my father, and my family too could not bear to think of the old place going to the hammer. and did 1t all in Q minute, without consideration; but" and she set her, face, "even as things arc. believe should do 1t again, because I think that no woman has . right to destroy her family in order to please herself If ono of the two must 20 let 1t be the woman. But don't think hardly of mo for it," she added, almost pleadingly, ..that is If you can help It."
 II am not thinking of you," he answered grimly. By Heaven, honor you for what you have done, for however much may dis agree with the act it is . noble one. I am thinking nf tho man who could drive snch e bargain with any woman. You say that you have promised to marry him should he ever be in . petition to claim it What do you mean by thati As you have told me so much ypu may es well tell me the rest"
 He spoke clsaIly and with . voics of au- thority, but his bearing did not seem to jar upon Ida.
 "I meant" she answered, humbly, 'that bslisvs-of course l do not know if am right-I believe that Mir. oessey l. in some way sntangled with lady, in short with Nrs. Guest. and that the question of whethey or not hs con,es forward again depends upea Aes,u :t,non my word :. s.,a the colonel. ,,upo, my word tho tAing gsta werss and worse. asvsr heard anything Nike 1t; and for nsonsy, too. The thing is beyond me-"
 "At any rate,n she answered, "there 1t lA And now, Col. Quayitoh, ono word before 70 in, It 4s difficult for me to speak without saying too much or too little, but do want you to understand how honored and how grateful feel for what you have told mo to- night-I am 70 littie worthy, of all you have given ine-andto be honsst, 1caunot feel ~ painsd about 1t as l. ought to feel. It is fsminina vanity, you know. nothing else. ! am sure that you will not press mo to say mors" "No,n he> answered, "no. think that undsrstAnd the petition But, Ida, there is ono thing that must nsk-you will forgive mo if am wrong In doing go, but all this ia yyery sad tor mas. If in the end circumstances should alter, as I pray heaven that they may, or If Mr. Cosseysss previous entaaglementa should prove too much for him, will you marry mo, Idaf"
 from the seat, gave him her hand, and said simply,
 "Yss, Will marry you"
 He made no answer, but lifting her hand, touched it gently with his lips.
 ..Msa4while," sha went OH, II have youl 1 promise, and am sure that you will mol betrAy 1t, come what may"
 eNo.s hs said, II will not bstray it."
 And they went In.
 In the drawing room they found tho squire puxslinG over q sheet of paper, on which wers scrowled some of Georges accounts ir figures, which at first sight bore about a, much ressnablanoe to Egyptian hierogly
 phics as they did to those in use to-day.
 "Halloow he said, ''there you are. Wher' I on earth have you beenF
 1 "Ws hAve been looking at the castle i'll tn,
 moonlight" answered Ida, coolly. "It i
 beautifuls
 "Um-Ah," said the squire, dryly, II hav'
 no doubt that 1t l. beautiful, "but isn't th'
 grass rather dsmpi Well, look here" ant
 he held up the sheet of htsroglyphies; ':.per
 hApra yo4 gan aad this pp, Ida, for it H mas'
 than san. George has bought stock ant | sN aorts ct things at tho sale today, and her :, is his account; three hundred and seventy
 two pounds he makes 1t, but make it fou hundred and twenty, and hang me if ca,
 find out which k right It l. important tha shess accounts should bs kept straight. Mos important, and cannot get this stupid! felloy to doik Ida took the sheet of paper and added up, with the r,salt that she discovered bot totals to be wrong. Harold, watching hez could pot help wondering at the nerve pf th ! woman who, after going through such
 sq.gs .s tses wh1eh had tast occurred, s eOsl ,l written figures
 And thia money which her father was ez } p>ndinR 70 oheerfullv was part of the pSic