The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-08-26

ct me speak of loss; give me hope,
ct me think you care for me a little
md l shall be grateful, for I will fan
that little into a fame"
II love you," she said simply, earn
.stly.
My d%arling!" he cried out, wild for
he JOY within him, my dearest! oh.
4 you knew my happiness! Tell me
lgain and again h a you love me-that
Tou really love!"
She held out her hand, which he
covered with kisses.
TO think that o really love mel"
lie said marveling at his Incompatible
good fortune. II can hardly believe it's
rue"
IT love YOU" shs repeated, as If
slorying In the words.
He put his arm tenderly round her
shoulders INC kissed her with longing
md fervor to which his maturity lent a
:orce n depth unknown to youth.
A minute later n a footlnan
brought in tea, and they were presently
loined by the count and Lady Bysshe;
but Godfrey held his peace until he
MAS alone with his aunt in the draw
ng room before dinner.
When he told her she said: II knew
t by your face when 1 came in to make
,ea; n Edith told me before she went
20 dress. l congratulate you with oil
ny heart"
II am the happiest man in the
Horld!" he burst out.
You have reason to be. Oh, Goef-
,rey, l hope you will always be a good
husband to that dear child"
Trust me, trust me-" he answered
confidently, resolutely.
II do" Lady Bysshe said quietly, her
Eyes fixed on him.
Il hope We may marry soon,' said he,
Gaming against the chimney-piece.
How impetuous o are!" she re-
Piled.
Consider all the years Of happiness
|! have lost" he said.
Nothing is ever lost. You We're
gaining experience to prepare yourself
.or your fate. And as to marrying soon,
you Will have to consult the count
lbout that; for she will not be Of age
or nearly two years, and my poor dear
infatuated sister made him Edith's sole
guardian"
Accordingly. when Edith and her
lunt Quilted the dinner table, and the
servants had left, Godfrey drank a
class of claret at q gulp, and point
blank told the count that Edith had
effect was electrical. The count held
!he cigar he about to light midway in
he air, his eyes fixed themselves on
'pace and a look of disappointment
lpread over his handsome, dignifed
lace.
THE news surprises me-" he said,
l1ter q moments silence. Il had no
dea-that-that-"
7 was not sure that she would ac-
sept me until today. But now she has
given her consent. I hope her guardians
MIL not be refused" said Godfrey, his
eyebrows %twitching a%nxiously.
The count lay back in his chair in
Silent consideration. It was plain that
ae was mastering all his tact and
.droitness in his effort to hide from a
friend and guest the disappointment
this news brought him, and to frame
ais reply with gentle heedfulness Of his
hearers feelings. He began by saying
hat the announcement had come upon
Aim quite unexpectedly, that his posi-
aon as guardian was a great RESPONSE
oility. that he was bound to take every
:are to secure the happiness Of the
Eirl left in his charge, who was as dear
@ him as II she was his own daughter.
Edith had little experience of the world,
was unsophisticated, was an heiress,
that irrevocably involved her Whole fu-
ture.
Godfrey WINGED at the reference to
1er wealth, and Immediately gave an
lccount OF his income, which her In
aerttance and his earnings combined to
a handsome annuity.
~ v Ae1 age, ne SAID, Il tn1nk
she is old enough to know her own
mind. many girls marry younger"
Il disagree with you as to her being
old enough to know her own mind" re-
piled the count, "and you must forgive
me If l remind you that you are many
years her senior"
IT she is sure enough of her love for
me-" Godfrey told him, ito accept me
as her husband, that should be sufici-
ent for her guardian. Al all events,
she will be her own mistress in less
than two years."
Yes. and II I withheld my consent
until then, I should be free of all re-
possibility" said the count. But per-
haps that delay would seem unkind TO
you and her and my sole desire is for
her happiness, to ave her from the
possibility Of making a mistake. There
tore, l will say this: If at the end of
months from now she is still
willing to become your wife, I will give
my sanction to the marriage"
The count could not prevent it being
made public, so he nodded his head
silent agreement, and rose from the
table to end a conversation whose sub
1ect. II could MAINLY ho scan -, o..