Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-08-26

so much that without you my life
viii seem a miserable failure, for l
hall have lost it's greatest good, its
~learest prize, In losing you. But don't
ct me speak OF loss; give me hope,
ct me think you care for me q little
md l shall be grateful, for / will fan
hat little into a flame"
Il love you," she said simply, earn
.stly.
he joy within him, my dearest, oh,
+ you knew my happiness! Tell me
|lgain and again hat you love me-that
Tou really love!"
She held u her hand, which he
covered with kisses.
ITO think that you really love mel"
lie said marveling at his incompatible
good fortune. Il can hardly believe it's
rue
Il love you" she repeated, as II
~glorying In the words.
He put his arm tenderly round her
shoulders and kissed her with longing
Ind fervor to which his maturity lent a
force and depth unknown TO youth.
A minute later and a footman
brought In tea, and they were presently
Joined by the count and Lady Bysshe;
but. Godfrey held his peace until he
was alone with his aunt in the draw
ng room before dinner.
When he told her she said: Il knew
t by your face when l came in to make
ca and Edith told me before she went
20 dress. l congratulate you with all
ny heart"
Il am the happiest man in the
Norld!" 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
.yes fixed on him.
Il hope we may marry soon said he,
Gaming against the chimney-piece.
How impetuous you are!" she re-
olied.
Consider all the years of happiness
! have lost" he said.
Nothing is ever lost. You were
gaining experience to prepare yourself
,or your fate. And as TO marrying soon,
you Will have to consult the count
about that; for she will not be of age
'or nearly w 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
glass of claret at a gulp, and point
blank told the count that Edith had
consented to become his wife. The
effect was electrical. The count held
he cigar he about to light midway in
he air, his eyes fixed themselves IN
space and a look Of disappointment
spread W. his handsome, dignihed
ACE.
'The news surprises me- he said,
after a moments silence. II had no
dea-that-that0"
Il was not sure hat she. would ac-
,ept me until today. But now she has
given her consent, / hope her guardians
Will not be refused" said Godfrey, his
eyebrows twitching aaxiously.
The count lay bacl in his chair in
silent consideration. IT was plain hat
ae was mastering All his tact and
ldroitness In his effort to hide from a
friend and guest tie disappointment
this news brought him, and to frame
his reply with gentle h~eedfulness of his
hearers feelings. He began by saying
hat the announcement had come upon
aim quite Unexpectedly, that his posi-
lion as guardian was a great response
bility, that he was bound to take every
care to secure the happiness of the
girl left in his charge, who was as dear
10 him as If she was his own daughter.
Edith had little experience of the world,
was unsophisticated, was an heiress,
and too young to arrive at a decision
that irrevocably involved her whole flu
ture.
Godfrey WINGED at the reference to
1er wealth, and Immediately gave an
account Of his income, which her in
1eritance and his earnings combined to
make a handsome annuity.
AS for her age" he said, II think
she is old enough to know her own
mind, many GIRLS marry younger"
Il disagree with you as to her being
Did 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"
If she is sure enough of her love for
me- Godfrey told him, ito accept me
as her husband that should be suffici-
ent for her guardian. At all events,
she will be her own mistress i'm less
two years"
yes, and If I withheld my consent
until then, l should be free of ali re-
Iponsibility," said the colnt. But per-
haps that delay would seem unkind to
you and her and my sole desire is for
her happiness, to save her from the
possibility of making a mistake. There
fore, l will say this: If at the end OF
eighteen months from now she Is still
willing to become your wife, / will give
sanction to the marriage"
The count could not prevent it being
made public, so he nodded his head
in silent agreement, and rose from the
table TO end a conversation whose sub
ject, 1t could plainly be seen, was far
from pleasant to him.
HL