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


Edward looked at Col. Quaritch and the
colonel looked at Edward.
"Well, said the colonel, "please understand
that | mean you should sign that letter, aud
indeed, seeing how absolutely you are in the
wrong, l do not think that you can hesitate
70 do sou
Then very slowly and unwillingly Edward
Cossey took up pen, affixed his signature to
the letter, blotted it and pushed it from him.
The colonel folded it up, placed it in an
envelope which he had ready, and put it in
his pocket.
"Now, Mr.. Cossey," he said, 81 will wish
you good morning Another time l should
recommend you to be more careful, both in
the facts and the manner of your accusa-
tions," and with slight bow he left the
room.
Course the fellow" thought Edward to
himself as the front door closed che had
me there-I was forced to sign. Well, will
he even with him about Ida, at any rate. l
will propose to her this very day, Belle or
no Belle, and if she won't have me- will
call the money in and smash the whole thing
up and his handsome face bore very evil
look as he thought it.
That very afternoon he started, in accord
pnce with this design, to pay visit at the
castle The squire was out, but Miss de Ia
Mole was at home, the servant said, and ac-
cordngly he was ushered into the drawing
room, where Ida was working, for it was a
wet and windy afternoon.
She rose to greet him coldly enough, and
he sat down, and then came pause which
she did not seem inclined to break.
Al last he spoke. did the squire get my
H., H.
YES she answered, rather icily. "Col
Quaritch sent it up"
II am very sorry" he added, confusedly
"that l should have put myself in such a
false position. l hope that you will give me
credit for having believed my accusation
when | made it,"
"Such accusations should not be lightly
made, Mr. Cossey," was her answer and, as
though to turn the subject, she rose and rang
the bell for tea.
1t came, and the hustle connected with it
prevented any further conversation for
awhile. AT length, however, it subsidized,
and once more Edward found himself alone
with Ida He looked at her and felt afraid
The woman was of different clay to him
self, and he knew it-ho loved her, but he did
not understand her in the least. However,
If the thing was to be done at all it must be
done now; so with desperate effort he
screwed himself up to the point
"Miss de la Mole," he said and Ida, know
ing full surely what was coming, felt her
heart jump within her bosom and then stand
still. Miss dc la Mole, he repeated, per
haps you will remember a conversation that
we had some weeks ago in the conservatoryf'
"Hes," she said, 81 remember-about the
money"
"About the money and other things" he
said gathering courage II limited to you
then that | hoped in certain contingencies
to be allowed to mako my addresses to you,
and think that you understood me-"
81 understood you perfectly" answered
Ida, her pale face set like ice, "and l gave
you to understand that in tho event of your
lending my father the money, should hold
myself bound toto listen to what you had to
say"
"Oh, curse the money! broke in Edward.
sit is not question of money with me, Ida
1t is not, indeed. l love you with all my
heart. l have loved you ever since saw
You. 1t was because / was jealous of him
that made u fool of myself last night with
Col. Quaritch. l should have asked you to
marry me long ago. onH there were obstacles