Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-11-29
CHAPTER xii
THE BLOW TAI.IR

On the following morning, about 10
O'Clock. while Edward Cossey was still Al
breakfast, dog cart drew up at his door
and out OF II stepped Col Quaritch
Now for the row." said be TO himself al
hope that the governor was right In his tale,
that's all Perhaps IL would have been wiser
TO say nothing till | had made more sure, "
and he poured out some more ten a little ner.
vously, for In the colonel he bad, he felt, an
adversary not 10 be despised
Presently the door opened and "Col Quar-
itch" was announced He rose and bowed a
salutation, which the colonel, whose face
bore particularly grim expression, did not
return.
"Will you take q chairF be said, as
soon a. the servant had left, and, without
speaking, Harold took one. and presently
began the conversation
Last night, Mr. Cossey, he said, lyon
thought proper to publicly bring a charge
against me, which, II il were true, would 20
q long way toward showing that was not .
dc person TO associate with those before whom
IL was brought"
YEA said Edward, coolly.
Before making any remarks on your con.
duct In bringing such charge, which give
you credit for believing 10 be true, propose
TO show 10 you that il Is a false charge, =
went on the colonel. quietly. "Ths story Is
very simple one, and so sad that nothing
short Of necessity would force me to tell il.
! was, when quite young, engaged to your
aunt, Miss Heston, TO whom | was much at
tached, and who was then % years OF age,
and though had little besides my profes-
sion. she had some money, and We were going
10 be married The circumstances under
which the marriage was broken of were as
follows; Three days before the wedding was
to take place | went unexpectedly TO the
house, and was told by the servant that Miss
Heston was up stairs In her sitting room.
went up stairs TO the room, which knew
we'll, knocked and got no answer. Then
walked into the room, and this Is what | saw,
Your aunt was lying on tbs sofa in her wed.
ding dress that is. in half of II, for abe had
only the skirt on) as first thought. aslesp
went up to her and saw that by her side was
brandy bottle half empty. In her hand
also WAS a glass containing raw brandy.
While was wondering what n could mean
she woke up. got on the sofa and began 70
stagger round the room, and | saw that she
was intoxicated
Its a lie.r said Edward, excitedly.
BE careful what you say SIR answered
I
done. As soon as | realized what was the
matter, ! left the room again, and going
down TO your grsndfather's study, where be
was engaged in writing q sermon. asked
him 10 come upstairs. AZ uas afraid that
bis daughter was not we'll He came aud
saw. and the sight threw him OF his balance,
Tor he broke out into q torrent OF explana.
lions and excuses. from which in time en-.
tracted the following facts; IL appeared that
ever since she was a child, Miss uaston had
been addicted TO drinking dts, and that i.
~as on account OF this constitutional weak
ness, which was Of eourse concealed from
me, that she had been allowed 20 engage her.
self 70 penniles snbaltern IL appeared,
TOO, that the habit was hereditary, for her
mother had died OF the effects OF drink and
Qua OF her aunts had become mad from it.
went away and thought the matter over,
and came 70 the conclusion that. under these
IL would be impossible for
me. much as was attached 10 your aunt, 10
marry her, because. even IL | was willing 70
do %. had no right 20 run the risk of
bringing children into the world who mighs
inherit the curse Having coms 10 this
which IL cost inc much 10 do.
wrote and communicated IL TO your grand
father, and the marriage was broken OF.
~ do not believe IL. | do not believe a
word Of III said Edward. jumping up.
You iilted Der and drove her mad, and now
you are trying TO shelter yourself hshind .
Tissue Of falsehood-
Are you acquainted with your grand.
iathers hsndsritingF asked the colonel,
quietly.
YES
sis that itF' be went ON. uroducins a x.i.