Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-02-08

3
are reasons which would make it ruinous to
me If such an action were commenced at
present"
Yes" he answered, "there are. In the
first place, there is no knowing what view
your father would take Of tho matter, and
how his Wow would affect your future inter-
ests, and in the second, your engagement to
Miss do la Mole, upon which your heart Is so
strongly set, would certainly be broken off,
How do you know that am engagedp
asked Edward, in surprise.
at does not matter how l know it, said
the lawyer. AZ do know it, 50 it will be use
less for you to deny it. AS you remark, this
suit will probably be your ruin in every way,
and therefore it is, as you will easily under
stand, good moment for man who wants
his revenge to choose to bring it,"
"Without admitting anything" answered
Edward Cossey, II wish to ask you a ques-
ton. Is there no way out OF this' Surprising
that have done you wrong, wrong admits
Of compensation"
Eyes, it does, Mr.. Cosscy, and I have
thought Of that. Everybody has his price in
this world, and l have mine; but the compen-
saton for such q wrong must be heavy
One.n
CAT what price will you agree to stay the
action foreveri7 he asked.
| "The price that l will take to stay the
action is tho transfer into my namc Of tho
mortgages you hold over the Honham castle
eststes,n answered Mr. Quest, quietly.
/ "Great heavensl" said Edward, "why, that
is a matter Of thirty thousand pounds'
II know it is, and know also that it Is
worth your while to pay thirty thousand
pounds to savo yourself from tho scandal tho
chance of disinheritance, a1d the certainty
/ of the loss Of the woman whom you want to
marry. So well do l know it that l have
prepared the necessary deeds for your sigma
ture, and here they are. Listen, sill" he went
on, sternly; ''refuse to accept my terms and
by to-nights post shall send this letter Of
instruction. Also shall send to Mr. COssey,
senior, and to Mr. dc la Dlolle copies of these
two precious epistles," and he pointed to the
discriminating documents, "and copy Of the
letter to my agents; and where will you be
thenl Consent, and l will bind myself not
to proceed in any way OF form. Now, mako
your choice"
"But l cannot; even II will, cannot"
said he, almost wringing his hands in his
perpleXity. at was on condition of my tar
ing up those mortgages that Ida consented to
become engaged to me, and l have promised
that will cancel them on our wedding. VIII
you not take money insteadr'
YES answered Mr.. Quest, 81 would take
money. a little time ago | would not have
taken it because l wanted that property, but
have changed my ideas. But as you your
self said, your credit is strained to the ut
most, and while your father is alive you will
not find it possible to raise another thirty
thousand pounds. Besides, if this matter is
to he settled at all it must be settled now.
will not wait while you make attempts to
raise the money!
But about the mortgagcs1 promised to
Keep them. What shall | say to IdaT'
Say? Say nothing. You can NEST them
II you like after your fathers death. Refuse
If you like, but if you refuse you viii be mad.
Thirty thousand pounds will be nothing to
you, but exposure will be ruin. Have you
made up your mindl You must take my
offer Or leave it. Sign the documents, and l
will put the originals of these two letters into
your hands; refuse, and l viii take my
steps"
Edward COssey thought for q moment, and
then said; Il Will rign. Let me see the pa
pers.n
Mir. Quest turned aside to hide the express
sion of triumph which fitted across his face
and then handed him the deeds. They were
deliberately drawn, for he was skillful le-
gal draughtsman, quite as skillful rs many q
legal chancery conveyanccr, but the sub
stance Of them was that tho mortgages were
transferred to him by the said Edward Cossey
in and for the consideration that he, the said
William NJ. Quest, consented to abandon for
ever a pending action for divorce against his
vito, Belle Quest, whereto the said Edward
Cossey was to be joined as correspondent.
GsNo,t "a i'll ol,ear.1ro enid M, nuacf hot