Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1889-02-16
CHAPTER VIII

.Mr. Quest lived in one Of those ugly but
comfortably built old red brick houses, which
abound in almost every country town, and
which give US the clearest possible idea of the
want OF taste and love Of material comfort
that characterised tho gross age in. which
they were: built This house looked out on
to the market place, and had a charming old
walled garden at the back, famous for its
nectarines, which, together with the lawn
tennis court, was, as Mrs. Quest would say,
almost enough to console her for living in q
town. The front door, however, was only
separated by q little aight Of steps from the
pavement, upon which tho house abutted.
. Entering into q large, cool looking ball.
Mr.. Quest paused, and asked q servant who
was passing where her mistress was.
"in the drawing room, iii, said the girl;
and followed BY Edward Cossey, he made his
way down q long paneled passage till be
reached door on tho left, which be opened
quickly, and passed through into q charming,
modern looking ROOM, handsomely aud even
luxuriously furnished, and lighted by French
windows opening on to the walled garden.
A little lady dressed Ia some black mate
rial was standing at one Of these windows, her
arms crossed behind her back, and abseutly
gazing out Of It. At the sound of the opening
door she turned swiftly, her whole delicate
aud lovely facc lighting up like a flower in a
ray OF sunshine. the lips slightly parted, and
a deep and happy light shining in her violet
eyes. Then, all In IN instant, it was In.
structtve to observe how -instantaneously hor
glance fell upon her husband TOR tho lady
was Mra GUEST and her entire expression
changed to one Of cold aversion. the light
foAin~ mt ~ hos tn~n -. -
November sky, and leaving it cold aud hard.
Mr. Quest, who was a maj who saw every.
thing. saw this also. aud smiled bitterly.
"Don't BE- alarmed, Belle" hs said, In a
low voice; II have brought Mr.. Cossey with
NO."
She flushed up to tho eyes, a great wave Of
color. and hsr breast heaved; but before sho
could answer, Edward Cossey, who had
stopped behind to wipe soma mud of bis
shoes, entered the room, aud politely offered
his band to Ara. Guest. who took It coldly
enough.
"You r IN sarly visitor. Mr.. Coassy,"
she said.
Eyes" said her husband, shut the fault IL
mine. I have brought Mr.. cossey over TO
ask you Il you can give him a lift up to the
castle this afternoon. have to 60 up there
TO lunch, and have borrowed his dog cart"
"Oh. yes, with pleasure. But why can't
the dog cart como back for Mr.. Cosseyr"
"Weu, you see" put in Edward, 'there Is
q little difficulty; my groom Is sick. But
there Is really no reason why you should be
bothered. ! have no doubt that a mau can
be found to bring it back"
'Oh, no" she Eald, with a shrug, sft will
b ell right. only you had better lunch hero,
that's all. because ! raj to starr curly, aud
50 to an old w.lnan's OF the q; hcr end Of Hon.
ham about son,e fuchsia cuttings"
Il shall Ike very happy" sa.L he.
"Very well. then, that is settled" said
Mr.. Quest, ''al,d now | must get my plan.
and he OF to that vestry meeting. l'm lar%
as 1t is With your permission, Mr.. COSBY,
! will order the dog cart ss l pass youl
rooms"
Certainly" said Edward. and in auothe,
moment the lawyer was gonc.
Mrs. Quest watched the door close, and
then sat down ina low armchair, and resting
her head upon the hack, looked up with q
steady, inquiring gaze full into Edward Cos
sey's faca. $500 :.
And he too looked ut her, and though,
what q beautiful woman she was, In her own
way. She was very small, rounded In hes
| figure almost to stoutness, and possessed the
tiniest and most Beautiful hands and feet,
But her greatest charm lay in the face
which was almost infa,itile iu its shape, and
delicate as q moss rose. She was exquisitely
fair in colorins-indeed, tho darkest things
about her were her violet eyes, which IN
some lights looked almost black in contras,
| with her white forehead and waving auburn
hair.
Presently she spoke.
'.Has my husband gomez she said.
IL suppose So WY do you askr"
'"Because, from what | know Of his habits
! should think it very likely that he is listen
ing behind tho door," and she laughed
family.
"You seem to have q good opinion Of him. :
II have exactly tho opinion Of him that III
deserves" she said, bitterly; land my
opinion Of him is that ho Il one Of tLt
wickedest men in England"
III he IS behind the door he will enjoy
that" said Edward Cossey. swell, II he 4
ell this, why did you marry himF'
why did I marry himf' she answered
with passion. because l was forced into il
bullied into It, starved into It. What woul
6ou do IL you wore q defenseless. motherlee
girl Of 10, with a drunken father who bea
you-yes, beat yor with Q stick-apologtze
In the most gentleman-like way next morn
ing, and then went and got drunk again
And what would you do II that father wer
In tho hands Of q man like my husband, bod
and soul In his hands, aud ii between ther
pressure was brought TO bear and brought {
bear until ct last There, what 10 the goo
Of going on with It.; you can guess the rest
"Well, aud what did he marry you for