Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-11-22
.COLONELQUARITCH,V.C.
Bx Il. RIDER HAaaARp.

@eaAtSft ~ uiA&8 A2t7A4 VI no 1pl LllNF
itch an III turn II the opportunity should
serve. mrS Quest, In her numerous affection
ate letters, had more than once, possibly for
reasons OF her own, given him q fun and
vivid resume OF the local gossip about the
colonel and Ida, who were, she said, according
10 common report. engaged TO be married.
Now, absence bad not by any means cooled
Edwards devstion to Miss de In Mollc, which
was sincere one enough In Its own way. On
the contrary, the longer he was away from
her ths more his passion grew. and with IL
vigorous underground OF jealousy. He bad,
u 10 true. Idas implied promise that abe
would marry him, II he choose TO ask her;
but on this he put no great reliance Hence
his hurry TO return TO Rockingham.
Leaving London by an afternoon train, he
reached Boisingham about half past Q, and
In pursuance OF an arrangement already
made, went TO dine with the Que&ts When
he reached the house be found Belle alone In
tins drawing room, for her husband, having
como in late, was still dressing; but some
what TO his relief he had no opportunity Of
private conversation with hsr, for q servant
was in tho room, attending 10 the Gre, which
would not burn The dinner passed OF
quietly enough. though there was an ominous
look about the sady's facs which he, being
familiar with these signs OF the feminine
weather. did not altogether like After din
ner, however, Mr. Quest excused himself
saying that no had promised 70 attend : Iocai
concsrt In aid Of the funds for the restoru.
tson Of the damaged pinnacle of the parish
church, and he was LETT alone with the ladv
Then 10 was that all her pent up passion
broke out She overwhelmed him with her
affection, she told him that her life had been
blank while be was away, she reproached
him with the scarcity and GOODNESS of his
letters, and generally went ON I'm n way with
which he was but too well accustomed. and
II the truth must be told. heartily tired. His
mood was an irritable one. and tonight ths
whole thing wearied him beyond bearing
"Come, Belle" he said, at last. sfor good
ness sake 10 a little more rational. Won ara
getting too old for this sort Of tomfoolsry.
you know"
She sprung up and faoed him. ber svs.
flashing and her breast heaving with Jealous
anger. "What do you meanr she said
sArs YOU tired of mef,
II did not say that" he answered, .but n
you have started tho subject, must tell Won
that think all this has gone far enough.
Unless ID Is stopped, believe we shall both
no ruined. | am sure that your husband 4
becoming suspicious, and as have told Won
again and again, II once the business gets 10
my fathers ears, he will disinherit me-
Belle stood quite still till he had flpisbed
She had assumed her favorite attitude. and
crossed her arms behind her back. and ber
sweet, childish face was calm and very wbita
what Is the good of making ex .,,see and
telling me what is not true. Edwardr' abe
said. .Oue never hears man who loves
woman talk like that; prudence comes with
WEAKNESS, and men grow virtuous when
there Ia nothing more TO gain. You are
tired Of me. have seen IL a long time. but
| like a poor blind fool have tried not 10 be-
| iieye IL IL is not n great reward 20 a woman
who has given her whole life TO a man. nut
/ perhaps it is as much as she can exuect for
| do not want TO he unjust 10 YOU. am the
most 10 blame. because we need never tale =
"Well, we'll, y he said, impatiently. what
of III"
"Only this, Edward. | have still little
pride left, and IL you are tired OF me. why
go"
| He tried hard TO prevent IL, but do what
| he would, n look OF relief struggled into bIs
face She saw IL, and it made her wild with
Jealous anger
"You need not look 80 happy, Edward; II
10 scarcely decent; and, besides. YOU have not
heard all that | have TO say / know what
| nj. this arises from. You ars In love with
| Ida ole In Molle Now there draw the lima
You may leave me u you like. but You shall
not marry Ida while / am alive 10 prevent
| 10 That il more than can bear. Besides.
like q wise woman, she has fallen in love
with Col Quaritck, who Is worth two of
YOU, Edward cosseyn
II do not believe it," he answered. land
what right have YOU to say that am in love
/ with Miss de la Mollef And in 4 am in love
/ with her, how can YOU prevent me- from
marrying her II | choossf'
TRY, ami you will see" she answered, with
little laugh And now, US the curtain has
dropped. aud Il Is all over between Us, why,
ths lest thing that we can 10 is 10 put out
the lights aud 70 10 bed,r and she laughed
again and courtesied with r uch assumed
/ playfulue~s ..fsood night Mr. CoSsey. rood
/ night. and eood.by.r
He held out his hand. "Come. Belle.n he
/ said. don't let us mart like this
She shook her head. and once more nut her
arms behind her mo- she answered. ~
+ will not take your hand. OF nv own free
I will will never touch IL again. for 20 me il
| IL like the hand of the dead Good-by, once
/ more, good. by 10 you, Edward. and TO all th<
+ happiness that ever had built up all my
f life upon NV love for YOU. and Won have
ahattered IL like glass do not reproacb
you, you have followed after your nature
and | must follow mine. and In time all
things will come rixbt-in the grave lshall
not trouble YOU any more, provided that YOU
do not try TO marry Ida, for that | will no,
bear And now go, for | am very tired, :