Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-12-13
CHAPTER XIV.
rHr SQUIRE OWES ats coSsKN

Edward CoSsey returning TO Boisingham
ON the evening Of his engagement, at once
wrote and posted a note 10 the squire, saying
that he would call ON the follow ing morning
about a matter OF business Accordingly, at
half past 10 O'Clock, hs arrived aud was shown
into the veStibule, where be found the old
gentleman standing with his back TO the lire
aud plunged In reflection.
well. Mr. do la Molle," said Edward
rather nervously ~ soon as be had shaken
hands, Il do not know IL ida has spoken to
you about what took place between US yes
tsrdayr
Yes he said, yes, she told ne some
thing TO the effect that sha had accepted a
proposal Of marriage from you. subject to
my consent, of course, but really the whole
thing is 80 sudden that | have hardly had
time 10 consider itn
at is very simple" said Edward. Il am
deeply attached to your daughter. and |
have been 50 fortunate as TO be accepted by
her Should you give your consent to tue
marriage may as well say at once that
| wish TO make the most liberal money ar
engagements IN my power. | will make ida
. present Of the mortgage bonds that hold
over this property, and she may put them in
the Dire Further, will covenant on the
long delayed, 10 settle two hundred thousand
pounds upon her absolutely Also, shall
be- prepared TO agree that IL we have son,
and he should wish TO do 30, he should take
the name OF DE la Molle"
II am sure, said the squire, turning round
TO hide his natural qualification at these
proposals, "youI offers on the subject Of
settlements are OF a most liberal order. and
Of course, 10 far as am concerned. Ida will
have this place, which may one day be
again More valuable than II Is now"
IL am glad that they meet with your ap
prevail said Edward, and now there Is one
more thing ! want to ask you, Mr. do la
Molle, and which hope, II you will give
your consent To the marriage. you will not
raise any objection To- That Is, that our en-
gagement should not be announced at pres
emit The fact is, no went on. huIriedly.
my father Is very peculiar uian. and has a
great idea Of my nlarryIn. somebody with =
large fortune Also his state of health Is 90
uncertain that there Is no possibility Of know
ina how he will take anything Indeed be
IL dying the doctors told inc that he might
go OIL any day. aud that he cannot last for
another three months II the engagement Is
announced 10 INN row. NJ the bcst | shall
have "a great deal Of trouble, and at the worst
he might, II he happened TO take fancy
against IL, make me suffer In his will
lymph, said the squire. II don't quits
like the idea Of o projected marriage with
my daug liter Miss de la Molle OF Honham
castle, being Busle<l up as though there were
something discreditable about IL, but slill
there may lie peculiar circumstances 10 the
ease that would justify me in eonsenilng 70
that course hou are both old enough to know
your own miigdS. aud the match would lie a.
advantageous 10 yon AS Is could lie 10 US, for
even nowadays, family. and1 may even say
personal al,Iearance. still 20 for something
where nlatrlmony Is concerne1 have rea
son 10 know that your father Is peculiar
man. very tecuIiaT Yes, on the whole,
though don't like mole and corner Affairs. |
shall have no objection to tue engagement
not being announced for the next month or
two"
Thank you FOR considering me 50 much.
aid Edward, With a sigh Of rylief Then
am ! to understand that you give your con.
sent 70 our engAgementT
The squire nsliss'fed Tor moment Every
thing seems,1 quite straight, and vet he sus
ported crous@iness His latent distrlst OF
tho man. whieh nad not been decreased by
the scene OF the two nights before-for he
never could bring himself to IKE Edward
Cassey --srsss ln foree and made him hesitate
when there was no visible ground for hesita
ton tie mad. a. mas teen said an instructive
insight into character that was almost
feminine 10 tia INTENSITY and II was lifting
warning finger isiore hlm nov
- don't quite know what 70 say he re
piled al length THE whole affair is So SUD
den-and to tell yull the truth 1 lbour Al thai
Ida had bestowed her affections IN another
direction