Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-10-04
CHAPTER VIII.
MR. ouEBTia wIRm


Mr. Quest lived In one OF those ugly but
comfortably built old red brick houses, which
abound in almost every country town, and
which give US the clearest possible idea Of the
want of taste and love Of material comfort
that characterized the gross age In which
they were built This house looked out on
TO the market place, and had Q charming old
walled garden at the back, famous for lbs
nectarines, which, together with the lawn
tennis court, was, as Mira Quest would say,
almost enough TO console her for living In q
town The front door, however, was only
separated by . little flight OF steps from tho
pavement. upon which the house abutted
Entering into q large, cool looking hall.
Mr.. Quest paused, and asked q servant who
was passing where her mistress waa
Elm the drawing room, sir, !" said the girl,
and followed by Edward Cossey. he made his
way down a long paneled passage till he
reached door on the left, which he opened
quickly, and passed through into a charming,
modern looking room, handsomely and oven
luxuriously furnished, and lighted by French
windows opening ON 10 the walled garden
A little lady dressed in some black mate
rial was standing at one OF these windows, her
arms crossed behind her back, and absently
gazing out Of it At the sound Of the opening
door she turned swiftly, her whole delicate
and lovely face lighting sp like flower in Q
ray Of sunshine, the lips slightly parted, and
deep and happy light shining in her violet
eyez Thea, all In an instant, IL was in
EtructIve 70 observe how instantaneously har
glance fell upon her husband for the lady
was Mrs GUEST and her entire expression
changed TO one Of cold aversion, the light
fading out Of her face as ID does from q
November sky, and leaving 10 cold aud hard
Mr. Quest, who was a man who saw every
thing, saw this also and smiled bitterly.
Don't DO alarmed. Belle, he said, In a
low voice; II have brought Mr. Cossey with
me-
She flushed up 10 the eyes. great wave Of
color, and her breast heaved; but before she
could answer. Edward Cossey, who had
stopped behind to wipe some mud OF his
shoes, entered the room, and politely offered
his hand 10 Mira Quest, who took 10 coldly
enough
"You are an early visitor. Mr.. Co@sey,
abe said
.Yes," said her husband, ssbut tho fault d
mine. l have brought Mr.. cossey over %
ask you IL you can give him 9 lift up to the
castle this afternoon have 20 20 up there
10 lunch, and have borrowed his dog cart"
"oh, yes, with pleasure. But why can't
the dog cart come back for Mr.. CosssyF
"Well, you see" put in Edward, .'there d
little difficulty; my groom Is sick. Bur
there ia really no reason why you should b
bothered have no doubt that q man car
be found 10 bring IL back"
aOh, no." she said. with q shrug, at vii
be all right; only you had better lunch here
that's all, because | want TO start early, and
Roto an old womans At the other end Of Hon
ham about some fuchsia cuttingx"
al shall Ia vary hanDy - xaid ha
ssVery well, then, that 10 settled" said
Mr. Quest; land now ! must get my PLAN
and be of 70 that vestry meeting. Pm lat
an IL Ia With your permission, Mr.. Cossey
viii order the dog cart as pas youi
rooms"
Certainly" said Edward, and In anothsl
moment the lawyer was gone
Mrs Quest watched the door close, and
than sat down in a low armchair, ard resting
hsr bead upon the back, looked up with /
steady, inquiring gazs full into Edward Cos
sey's face.
And he too looked at bar, and though
what = beautiful woman she was, in her owl
way. She was very small, rounded In hel
figure almost to stoutnesa, and possessed tb'
tiniest and most beautiful hands and feet
But her greatest charm lay In the face
which was almost infantile in its shape, anC
dalicAte as u moss rose. Shs was exquisitelj
fair in coloring indeed, the darkest thing
about her were Der violet eyes, which IL
some lights looked almost black In contrasi
with her white forehead end waving auburn
hair.
Presently abe spoke
'.Has my husband goneF she said
81 suppose SO Why do you askF
because, from what know Of bis habita
1 ahonld think 1t very likely that be Is listen
ing behind the door" aud shs laughec
family.
'you seam to hays a good opinion Of Him