Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-28
CHAPTER XLIII. RISTM AS HTMES.

CHAPTER XLIII.
 CHRISTMAS CHIMES.
 The squire turned and entered the house. He generally was fairly noisy in his move ments, but on this occasion he was excep- donally so Possibly he had a reason for it.
 On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled. It was impossible to re- sist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall
 There was a moments silence, and then Harold took Idas hand and led her up to where her father was standing.
 "Mr. De la Molle," he said simply, "once moro ask you for your daughter in mar riage. l am quite aware of my many dis qualifications, especially those of my age and the smallness of my means; but Ida and my self hope and believe that, under all the cir cumstances, you will no longer withhold your consent" and he paused.
 "Quaritch," ," answered the squire, "I have already in your presence told Mr. Cossey under what circumstances I was favorably inclined to his proposal, so need not repeat all that. As regards your means, although they would have been quite insufficient to avert the ruin which threatened us, still you have, believe, e competence, and, owing to your wonderful and most providential dis rovery, the fear of ruin seems to have passed sway. It is owing to you that that discovery, which, by the way, want to hear an about, has been made; had it not been for you it never would have been made at all, and therefore I certainly have no right to say anything more about your means. AS re- Kards your age-well, after ali, A is not the limit of life; and If Ida does not object to marrying man of those years, cannot ob- feet to her doing so. With reference to your want of occupation, think that if you marry Ida this place will, as times are, keep your hands pretty full, especially when you have an obstinate donkey like that fellow George to deal with-for am getting too old and stupid to look after 1t myself; and. can't understand them There is one thing more that want to say; forbade you the house. We'll, you are a generous minded man, and 1t is human to err and think that perhaps you will understand my action and not bear me grudge on that account. Also, dare say that at the time-and possibly at other ti.~s-I said things that I should be sorry for if I could remember what they were, which I can't; and if so, apologize to you as Q gentleman should when he finds hinself tn the wrong. And now say, God bless you both, and hope you will be happy in life together; and so come here, Ida, my love, and give me . kiss. You have been a good daughter all your life, and so Quaritch may be sure that you will be good wife too"
 Ida did as she was bid, and then she vent over to her lover and took his hand, and he kissed her on the forehead, and 50, after all their troubles, they finally ratified the con- tract
 And we, who have followed them thus far, and have perhaps been little moved with their struggles hopes and fears, will not surely grudge to re-echo the squire's old fash toned prayer, 'God bless them both."
 God bless them both. Long may they live, and happily.
 Long may they live, and for very long may their children's children of the race, if not of the name, of De Ia Molle, pass in and out through the old Norman gateway and past the sturdy Norman towers. The Bois- seys, who built them, hero had their habita- tion for six generations. The De la Molles, who welded the heiress of the Boisseys, lived here for thirteen generations. May the Quarttches, whose ancestor married Ida, heiress of the De la Molles, endure As long!
 Surely 1t is permitted to us to lift corner of tue curtain of futurity and to see in spirit, Ida Quaritch, stately and beautiful, as we knew her, but of happier counte- nance, seated, on some Christmas Eve to come, in the drawing room of the castle and telling to the children at her knees the won- derful tale of how their father and old George, on this very night, when the great gale blew, long years ago, discovered the ruddy pile of gold hoarded in that awful storehouse amid the bones of Saxon or Dan ish heroes, and thus saved her to be their mother. We can surely see the wide and wondering eyes and the fixed faces as for the tenth time they listen to 0 story before which the joys of Crusoe will grow pale, and hear the eager appeals for confirmation made to the military looking gentleman, very griz- xled now, but grown better looking with the advancing years, who is standing warming himself before the fire, the best and most be- loved husband and father in the whole coun- try side.
 Perhaps there may be vacant chair and another tomb among the ranks of the de- parted De la Molles; perhaps the ancient walls will no longer echo to the sound of the old squire's stentorian voice. And what of thatf It Is our common lot.
 But when he goes the country side will lose man of whom they will not see the like again, for tho hreed Is dead or dying; man whose vary pre3udices, Inconsistencies and occasional wrong headed violence w11 be hold. when he ts no longer here, to have been endearhg qualities. And for manliness, for downright Engttsh, God fearing virtues, for love of queen, country, family and home, they may search in vain to lind his equal among the thin blooded gentiltty of the cos mopol1tan Ens1ishmen of the dawning Tven- tieth century. His faults were many, and at ono time he went near to sacrificing bis daughtsr to savs his house, but he would not hsve been tho man be was without them-
 And 70 to him, too, farewell. Perhaps he will dnd hinsef better placed in the Valhalla of his forefathsrs, surrounded by those stout old De la Molles whose memory he regarded with 70 much affection. than here fin the Vic torian era For, as has been said elsewhere. tho old squire would undoubtedly have looked better in a chain shirt and battle ax than ever he did in frock coat, especially with hi1 retainer George armed to the teeth