Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-16
CHAPTER XXI.
GEORGE PROPHESIES AGAIN.

Six weeks have passed, and in that time several things have happened. In the first place, the miserly old banker, Edward Cos sey's father, had died, his death having been accelerated by the shock of his sons accident. On his will being opened it was found that property and money to no less a value than e60O,0OO passed under it to Edward abso- lutely, the only condition attached being that he should continue ill the house of Cossey & Son, and leave a certain share of his fortune in the business.
 Edward Cossey had also, thanks chiefly to Belle's tender nursing, almost recovered with one exception-he was and would be for life, stone deaf i'll the right ear. The paralysis which the doctors had feared had not shown itself. One of the first questions when he became convalescent was addressed to Belle Quest.
 He had, as in a dream, always seen her sweet face hanging over him, and dimly known that she was ministering to him.
 "Have you nursed me ever since the acci- dent Belief" he said.
 "Yes," she answered.
 "It is very good of you, considering all things" he murmured. "I wonder that you did not let me die."
 And she turned her face to the wall and said never word, nor did any further con- velsation on these matters pass between them.
 Then as his strength came back so did his passion for Ida de Ia Molle revive. He was not allowed to write or even receive letters, and with this explanation of her silence he was fain to content himself. But the squire, he was told, often called to inquire after him, and once or twice Ida came with him.
 At length & time came-it was two days after he had been told of his fathers death yxbo ho fS,h ho, ;,{r his own rooms and to receive his correspon- dence as usual.
 The move was effected without any diff culty, and here Belle bade him good-by. Even as she did so George drove his fat pony up to the door, and getting down, gave a letter to the landlady, with particular in structions that it was to be delivered into Mir. Cossey's own hands. As she passed, Belle saw that it was addressed in the squire's handwriting.
 When it was delivered to him Edward Cossey opened it with eagerness. It con. tained an inclosure in Ida's writing, and this he read first. 1t ran as follows: DEAR MIR. CosSEY-I am told that you arc now able to read letters, so 1 hasten to | write to you. First of all, let me say how | thankful l am that you are ill q fair way tc l complete recovery from your dreadful acci 1 dent. And now must tell you what feaI | will be almost as painful to you to read as il is for me to write, namely, that the engage l ment between us is at an end. To put the matter frankly, you will remember that rightly or wrongly became engaged to you on a certain condition That condition ha. not been fulfilled, for Mir. Quest, to whom the mortgages on my fathers property have been transferred by you, is pressing for theil payment. Consequently, the obligation or So l. A11> ment must end also, for grieve to ten yos l that it is not one which my personal inoliua tion will induce me to carry out. Wishing you 0 speedy and complete recovery, ant every happiness and prosperity in you future life, believe me, dear Mir. Cossey 1 very truly yours,
 IDA DE LA MOLLE."
 He put this uncompromising and crushing epistle down, and nervously glanced at th' squires, which was very short.
 f"MY DEAR CossEY," it began-"Ida ha
 shown me the inclosed letter. think tha
 you did unwisely when you entered into wha
 must be caHed money bargain for m,
 iaughter's hand. Whether under all the cir
 cumstances she does either well or wisely t'
 repudiate the engagement after it has ono
 been agreed upon is not for me to judge. Sh
 is free agent, and has a natural right t
 dispose of her life as she thinks fit. This be
 ing so, have, of course, no option but to in
 dorse her action, so far as have anything t.
 do with the matter. It is decision which