Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-17
C0LONELQUARITCH,N.C.
By II. RIDER HAGGARD.

"How do you do, Mir. Cosseya' she said. "I am glad to see you out, and hope that you are better" II beg your pardon, cannot hear you," he said, turning round; II am stone deaf ln my right ear"
 A pang of pity shot through her heart. Edward Cossey, feeble, dejected and limping from the jaws of death, was very different being to Edward Cossey in the full bloom of his youth and health and strength. Indeed, so much did his condition appeal to her sym pathies, that for the first time since her mental attitude toward him had been one of entire indifference, she looked on him with out repugnance.
 Meanwhile her father had shaken him by the hand, and led him to an armchair before the fire.
 Then, after few questions and answers as to his accident and merciful recovery, there came pause.
 At length he broke it. "I have come to see you both," be said, with faint, nervous smile, "about the letters you wrote me. If my condition would have allowed it I would have come before, but it would not"
 "Yes," said the squire, attentively, while Ida folded her hands in her lap and sat still with her eyes fixed upon the fire.
 ''1t seems," he went on, ''that the old proverb has applied to my case as to so many others-being absent, have suffered. 1 un- derstand from these letters that my engage ment to you, Ida, is broken ofTf'
 She made O motion of assent.
 And that 1t is to be broken off on the ground that, having been forced by a combi- nation of circumstances which cannot enter into, to transfer the mortgages to MT. Quest, consequently, broke my bargain with your
 'Yes," said Ida.
 'Very we'll, then, I come to tell you both that am ready to find the money to meet those mortgages and pay them off"
 "Ahr' said the squire.
 "Also, that am ready to do what offered to do before, and which, as my father is now dead, am perfectly in position to do namely, to settle two hundred thousand pounds absolutely upon Ida, and, indeed, generally to do anything else that she or you may wish," and he looked at the squire.
 'It is no use looking at me for an answer, " said he, with some irritation. II have DO voice in the matter"
 He turned to Ida, who put her hand before her face and shook her head
 Perhaps" said Edward, somewhat bit terly, 'I should not be far wrong if said that Col. Quaritch has more to do with your change of mind than the fact of the transfer of these mortgages"
 She dropped her hand and looked him full in the face.
 "You are quite right, MT. Cossey," she said, boldly. "CoL Quaritch and 1 are attached to each other, and we hope one day to be married"
 "Confound that fellow Quaritch," growled the squire.
 Edward winced visibly at this outspokeu statement
 "Ida," he said, ''I make one last appeal tc you; am devoted to you with all my heart 60 devoted that though it may seem foolish tc say so, especially before your father, I really think that 1 would rather not have recovered from my accident than that should have recovered for this. I will give you every. thing that a woman can want, and my money will make your family wrat it was centuries ago, the greatest in the country side. I donr pretend to have been a saint-perhaps you may have heard something against me in that way-or to be anything out of the common am only an ordinary everyday man, but am devoted to you. Think, then, before you | refuse me altogether" II have thought, Mir. CoSsey," answered | Ida, almost passionately; "I have thought until I am tired of thinking, and do ho consider that it is fair that you should press Ine uAe tnls, especially DeIOre my 1otner. "Then," he said, rising with difficulty, "l 1 have said all that have to say, and done al that can do. shall still hope that you may change your mind; shall not yet abandon hope. Good-by."
 | She touched his hand, and then the squir offering him his arm, he went down the step to his carriage.
 l 'I hope, MT. de la Molle," he said, "tha bad as things are for me, if they should talk a turn, shall have your support" 1 My dear sir" answered the squire, ''I tel you frankly that wish my daughter woult marry you. AS I said before, it would fo obvious reasons be desirable. But Ida is no like ordinary women. When she sets he mind upon Q thing she sets 1t like flint Things may change, however, and that is al I can say. Yes, if I were you, should re member that this is changeable world an, that women are the most changeable thing in it."
 When the carriage had gone he re-entere, the vestibule. Ida, who was going ava. much disturbed in mind, saw him cominI and knew from the expression of his fac that there was going to be trouble. Wit characteristic courage she turned, determine to brave it out.