Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-08-19

done about those bills ?" she count
moaned. for Max had given him the
list OF his debts. II am not rich. but
still / must find some way OF paying
them. / viii write to Lord ~Surreyfnore
and he will give me time: and as for
the others. I shall see what can be done
III you had only Needed what 1 said
about gambling
"All this bother would be spared,
But look here, / swear Til never touch
a card again" Max said repentantly.
And / mean 1t this time"
The count remained silent, glad TO
hear these words, but fearing from hts
sons character that such resolutions
were not to be depended on in the
face OF temptation.
Edith showed little sign OF improve
ment as time went by. Her nights
were sleepless, she started at every
noise. she dreaded being alone, and a
gloom seemed TO settle on her who
formerly had been. even in her moods,
sc calm and cheerful.
AT these mpto her aunt's anxi-
ETY. for the girls health increased; and
Doctor Hopkins declared that the best
remedy for his patient was a thorough
change. Italy was decided on without
hesitation.
1t was therefore, arranged hat she
should be taken to Genoa, there TO re-
main for the winter months, providing
the place suited her. There were Eng
glish doctors there, whose advice might
be depended on If consultation became
necessary.
on hearing Of his move, the count,
who usually agreed to his sister-in-
laws decision, showed some dissatis-
faction.
He could not go with them, he said.
his blindness would only make him a
burden on them, and he disliked the
idea of women travelling alone; 1t
would make him anxious about them.
But we shall not be alone Lady
Bysshe replied. Though l will not
take a man. for he would only bother
us, we shall have our maids with u.s..
There are no ~brigands in the country
now.
The count had no further objection to
offer; but said, in his usual gentle wa
ii was s~elfshness that mad him re-
gret their going and that Urged him
TO keep them near him.
Preparations We're at once began for
the journey, and Godfrey Bysshe was
Invited to spend the week Il the hall
and say farewell 10 the intended
voyagers. on the Saturday afternoon
OF his arrival, Lady Bysshe, who had
been paying some calls in the neighbor-
hood. found ii convenient TO meet him
at the station.
MY uEAE aunt NnAS - very hldlu VI
YOU" he said, when he had taken his
place beside her in the closed carriage.
The fact is Godfrey" she answered.
coming to the point at once, Il wished
TO have a few words with you alone.
before we reached the hail. 1 didn't
write TO you that / have been very
much concerned about Edith's health"
rs she ilI?~ he asked ~anxiously. his
grave face alert.
She hasn't recovered from her
shock"
How unfortunate that she saw the
accident.
1t wasn't an accident, though we
have been lucky enough TO make people
believe II was. But SOU had better
knox the truth. Max asked her to
marry HIM. and when she refused he
caught her wrist ard showed her a re-
wol3sr. swearing there would be another
tragedy ia ths house unless she accept
ed him there and then"
The SeoundreL Godfrey muttered
wfatbfullv. The scoundrei.T
She thought he meant to kill her"
added Lady Bysshe.
And yet she refused him. he said,
yes sparkling with pleasure
She had too much spirit 10 be fright
eled into a consent, and too much hon
esty 70 give a promise not meant TO be
kept
The brute. L should like to give him
4 sound tnrashing.r
He mas punished himself severely;
For he nearly put an end TO his
promising career. But ever since Edith
been in a terribly YOU state.
the doctor thinks a thorough
will be the best remedy. Poor
child, she will be glad to see you" Lady
added. stealing a glance at him.
The barrister felt grateful for that
asst sentence that gave him hope and
For, from the day Edith and
ler aunt called al his chambers, the
OF this girl suddenly set him
thinking that he had missed something
sweet and fair in his life; something
ne mad heretofore ignored or over
In the hurry and strife OF an
ambitious career; something hat could
not be compensated for by honor or
gain, and beside which the worlds
awards were as nothing.
These reflections once more inn
him during his drive to the
ball. but the cloudy mood they induced
Was suddenly frightened when pres
he saw ner eyes i1aSn Win piea-
sure AZ they met his own, and she let
hand rest in his, as II she felt
strength comfort n protection while
Il lay there.
She grew cheerful when he sat beside
her, and declared hers9if by no means
the invalid her aunt Imagined, hut the
th;nnesE and paIloT of her face, and the
frightened look II expressed I'm rspoge,
beiied her words.
Lady Bysshe left them, saying she
would axe off her bonnet and have tea
sent into Edith's ROOM, which was radf-
ant with the soft light OF candles and
warm In the glow OF a ruddy fire.
The sudden barking OF her Skye teri
rier at some noise outside made Edith
almost bound from her chair, though
next momcnt she was laughing at her
nervousness. But her startled look and
the flush sweeping over her face show
ed him how unstrung she was, and
brought him back to realities.
n wish I had known before today
that you were ILL., he said.
II am sure you would have come
to see me-" replied Edith making no
effort to SUPPRESS the pleasure his words
gave her, but I feared you were too
busy to be disturbed. although Auntie
spoke OF inviting Q down.
do you think any business In the
world wouid keep me away If 4 thought
you were Ill ?" he asked bending for
ward, the swelling veins In his forehead
showing how intense were his feelings,
a glow coming into his dark face.
She made 40 answer. but the light in
her eyes deepened as she suddenly re-
allied that he was abou to speak the
words she had longed 4 hear.
orr go ha uapr an styuu hAya v1f