Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-12-20

'00ou~oNs ana sac tpeHt ON.
"what cowardr said Belle to herself.
ale docs not even dare to tell mo the truth"
Nearly an hour later she arrived at the
castle, and. asking for Ida, was shown into
tho drawing room, where she found her SIT
ting reading.
Ida rose TO greet her, not without warmth,
for the two women, although they were mt
the opposite poles OF character, had a friendly
feeling for each other.
In a way they were both strong, and
strength always recognizes and respects
strength.
slave you walked upF" asked Ida.
"Yes, came on the chance OF finding you.
wanted to speak TO you"
yes" said Ida, "whnt is itF'
This Forgive me. but are you engaged
to DO married to Edward Cosseyr'
Ida looked at her IN q slow, stately kind OF
way, which seemed TO ask by what right she
came 70 question her. At least so Belle
read IT,
/ III know that have no right to ask such q
question" she said, with humility. land, of
course, you need not answer IL, but ] have
reason for asking"
SWELL" said Ida, 81 was requested by Mr.
4 Cossey to keep the matter secret, but he ap
pears TO have divulged it. Yes. am engaged
to be married to him"
/ Bellies beautiful face turned shade paler,
| II that was possible. and her eyes hardened.
do you wonder why | ask you thisf she
said II will tell you, though probably when
have done 50 you will never speak 10 me
again am Edward Cossey's discarded mis-
tress." aud she laughed bitterly enough.
Ida shrunk u little and colored, as a pure
and high minded woman naturally does when
she is for the first time suddenly brought into
actual contact with impurty and passion.
II know" went ON Belle, that must
seem a shameful thing to you; but, Ida, good
and cold aud stately as you are, pray God
that you may never be thrown into tempta
ton, pray God that you may never be mar
ried almost by force to a man whom you
hate, and then suddenly know what thing
1t is TO fall in love, and for the first time feel
your life awake"
"Hush." said Ida, gently; "what right
have to judge your
IL loved him." went on Belle, 81 loved him
paSsionately, and for a little while IL was a:
though heaven had opened its gates, for he
used TO care for me little. and ! think hs
would have taken me away and married ms
afterward, but would not hear Of IL, becauss
knew II would ruin him lie offered u
once, and refused, and within three hour,
OF that believe that he was bargaining FOL
you Well, and then 1t was tho old story, b,
fell more and more in love with you, and, o
course, had no hold upon him"
.'Yes. said Ida. moving impatienty; "bu
why do you tell me all thisi IL Is very pain
fnl, and had rather not hear it."
"why do | tell youi tell you because
do not wish you TO marry Edward Cossey
tell you because wish him to feel little o.
what | have 10 feel ard because ! have saiS
he should not marry yon."
~ wish that you could prevent It, 4" sai'
Ida, with a sudden outhurst ii am sure yol
; are quite welcome to Mr.. cossey, so far as
: am concerned, for detest him, and canno
imagine how any woman could ever hay
! done otherwise"
THANK YOU" said Belle. ''but | have dom
with Mr. Cossey, aud | think | hate hin
too know that did hate him when | me
him In the street just now, and no told III
that he was mob engaged TO you. You sa.
TINT you detest him, why then do you MARI.
hint You are irce woman
do you want tn knowF' said Ida, wheel
ing round and looking her visitor full In tn
face II am gong TO marry him for tn
same reason that you say caused you q
marry because | must | am going Z
marry him because he lent US money Oh
that condition promised TO marry him, ana
as have taken the money must give hin
his price even II It breaks my heart So'
think that you are wretched. how do yol
know that am not atty times wretcned
Your lot Is 10 loss your lover, mine Is 4
have one forced upon aud endure him al
my life Tho worst Of your pain is over. al
mine Is 70 come"
"WhyI MhyIn broke in Bella "what i
such a promise as that lie cannot fore
YOU 10 marry him, and il Is better for
woman To die than ta have TO marry a maj
she hates. especially. : she added. meaningly
''if she happens 10 love another man Be al
vised by me. know what IL IS"
YES" said Ida. perhaps IL Is better Z
die. bnt death Is not 80 easy As for th
promise, you do not seein 70 understand tina
no gentleman or lady can break a promise II
consideration Of which money has been NJ
ceivei Whatever he has done, and what
ever he IT, | must marry Mr. COSBY, 50 d
DOT think that we need discuss the subjec
any more"
Belle sat silent for a minute or more, ans
then, rising, said that sine must SO Il hav
warned YOU" sue added. although 70 war;
you have had 10 put myself at your mercy
You can tell the story aud destroy mo II yoI
ike do not much care II you do. Women
such |, get rockies "
you must understand me very litsle, Mrs
Gust" nc had always been Belle before, an'
she WINGED at the change of nanlel, III yoi
think me capable of such conduct You hav
nothing Ia fear from me-
She held out her hand but in her humilit,
aud shame Belle went without taking IL, an'
through tue angry sunset light wakes
slowly back 10 Boisnghsm, and as she wakes
there was look upon har face that Edwar'
Cossey would scarcely have cared 70 see
CHAPTER NXVI