Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-10
"Bravo!" said Ida. "I was sure that you could shoot if you chose.n

of them. Just as he picked up the last
 George arrived, followed by Edward Cossey.
 Well, l nevsr," said tho former, while
 something resembling a smile stole over his
 melancholy countenance. That's the mas.
 terest bit of shooting that ever I did see.
 Lord Waasingham couldn't beat that himself
 sixteen empty cases and twelve birds picked
 up Why," and he turned to Edward "bless
 me, sir, if don't believe the colonel has won
 them gloves for Miss Ida after all. Let's see,
 sir, you got two brace this last drive and one the first, and leash the second, and two
 brace and half the third, six and a half in all And the colonel, yes, he has seven brace. one bird to the good"
 ''There, Mir. Cossey," said Ida, smiling sweetly, "1 have won my gloves Mind you don't forget to pay them :"
 "Oh, l will not forget, Miss de la Molle, :" said he, smiling also, but not too prettily.
 II suppose" he said, addressing the colonel "that that last covey twisted up and you Drowned them.''
 "No," he answered quietly, "all four were clear shots"
 MT. Cossey smiled again an incredulous smile. which somehow sent Harold Quaritch's blood leaping through his veins moro quickly than was good for him, and turned away to hide his ve1ation. Edward, Cossey would rather have lost thousand pounds than that his adversary should have got that extra bird, for not only was he jealous shot, but he knew perfectly we'll that Ida was anxious that he should, lose, and desired above all things to see him humiliated. And then he, the smartest shot within ten mil es round to be beaten by a middle aged soldier shooting with a strange gun and totally unaccustomed, to driving! Why, the story would be told over the country-George would see to that. His anger was so great when he thought of it that, afraid of making himself ridiculous, without another word he set off with his bearer toward the castle, leaving the others to follow.
 Ida looked after him and smiled. "He eis so conceited," she said; The cannot bear to be beaten at anything"
 'l think that you are rather hard on him." said the colonel, for the joke had an unpleas- ant side which jared on him.
 "At any rate," she answered. with a little stamp, 'it is not for you to say so. If you disliked him as much as I do you would be hard on him, too. Besides, dare say that his turn is coming"
 Tho colonel winced, as we'll he might, but looking at her handsome face, set just now like steel at the thought of what the future might bring forth, he reflected that if Ed ward Cossey's turn did come he was by no means sure that the ultimate triumph would rest with him. Ida de Ia Molle to whatever extent her sense of honor and money in- debtedness might carry her, was no butterfly to be broken on & wheel, but a woman whose dislike and anger, or, worse still, whose cold, unvarylng disdain was thing from which the boldest hearted man might shrink aghast.
 Nothing more was said on the subject, and they began to talk, though somewhat con- stratnedly, about indifferent matters. They were both aware that it was q farce, and that they were playing a part, for beneath the external ice of formalities the river of their devotion ran whither they knew not. All that had been made clear a few nights back. But what will you haves Necessity, overriding their desires, compelled them along the path of self denial, and, like wise folk, they recognized the fact, for there is nothing more painful in the world than the outburst of hopeless affection.
 And so they talked about painting and shooting and what not, till they reached the gray old castle towers. Here Harold wanted to bid her good-by, but she persuaded him to come In and have some ten, saving that her father would like to say good night to him.
 Accordingly he went into the vestibule, where there was a light, for it was getting dusk, and there he found the squire and Mr. >oSooy' <AS SOoA oo uc eAISIeO CuWATu SOSSey rose, said good night to the squire and Ida, and then passed toward the door, where the colonel was standing, rubbing the mud of bis shooting boots As be came, Harold, be- ing slightly ashamed of the shooting match very sorry to have humiliated q man who prided himself so much upon his skill ill a particular branch of sport, held out his hand, and said, in friendly tone:
 Good night, Mir. Cossey. Next time that we are out shooting together I expect shall be nowhere. It was an awful fuke of mins l killing those four birds"
 But Eward Cossey took no notice of the | words or outstretched hand, but | came straight on as though he intended to ] walk past him. l
 The colonel was wondering what was best | to do, for 1t was impossible to mistake the meaning of the oversight when the squire, | who was sometimes very quick to notice l things, spoke in loud and decided tone.
 "Mr: Cossey," he said, "Col. Quartch is l offering you his hand"
 II observe that he is" he answered, setting l his handsome face, ''but l do not wish to 1 take Col. Quaritch's hand" |
 Then came a moments silence, which tho | squire again broke.
 "When gentleman in my house refuses to take the hand of another gentleman" he | said, very quietly, II think have a right to | ask the reason of his conduct, which, unless | that reason is very sufficient one, is almost as much a slight upon me as upon him."
 II think that Col. Quaritch must know the reason, and will not press me to explain" said Edward Cossey.
 "1 know of no reason," replied the colonel, sternly, 'unless, indeed, it is that I have been so unfortunate as to get the best of Mr. Cossey ill friendly shooting match"
 "Col. Quaritch must know we'll that such is not the reason to which I allude," said "1f he consults his conscience he will probably discover better one"
 Ida and her father looked at each other in surprise, while the colonel by half involun- tary movement stepped between his accuser and the door; and Ida noticed that his face was white with anger.
 "You have made very serious implica- tion against me. MT. Cossey," he said in . cold, clear voice. Before you leave this room you will be so good as to explain it in the presence of those before whom it has been made"
 Certainly, If you wish it." he answered, with something like sheer. ''The reason why refuse to take your hand, Col Quar- itch, is that you have been guilty of conduct which proves to me that you are not O gen- tleman. and therefore moi, a r,oroo,, -:xl. |