Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-08-25

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so much that without you my life
will seem n miserable failure. for
shall have lost its greatest good, It's
dearest prize. in losing you. But don't
ct me speak of loss; give me hope,
let me think you care for me little
and I shall be grateful. for l will fan
hat little into a fame"
.stly.
My darling." he cried out, wild for
the joy within him, my dearest! Oh,
Il you knew my happiness! Tell me
again and again that you love me-that
you really love-
She held out her hand, which he
covered with kisses.
ITO think that you really love met"
ne said marveling at his incompatible
good fortune. II can hardly believe it's
true"
Il love YOU she repeated, as if
glorying in the words.
He put his arm tenderly round her
shoulders and kissed her with longing
and fervor to which his maturity lent a
force and depth unknown to youth.
a minute later and Il footnan
brought in tea, and they were presently
Joined by the count and Lady Bysshe;
but Godfrey held his peace until he
Was alone Mltn MS aunt III lIle uIdW
| ing room before dinner.
When he told her she said: II knew
1t by your face when came in to make
tea; and Edith told me before she went
| To dress. I congratulate you with all
my heart"
Il ann the happiest man i'm the
world!" he burst out.
You have reason to be. oh, G0ef-
Trey hope you will always he good
1 husband to that dear child
"1'rust me. trust me-" he answered
confidently. rcsolutey.
Il do" Lady I3ysshe said quietly, hei.
I eyes fixed on him.
Il hope we may marry soon.' said he,
leaning against the chimney piece.
How impetuous you are." she re-
1 Piled.
"Considcr all the years of happiness
{ have lost" he said.
| Nothing is ever lost. You We're
gaining experience to prepare yourself
Tor your fate. And as to marrying soon,
about that; for she will not be of age
for nearly two years, and my poor dear
infatuated sister made him Edith's sole
guardian"
Accordingly. when Edith and her
aunt quilted the dinner table, and the
servants had left, Godfrey drank a
glass of claret at a gulp, and point
consented to become his wife. The
effect was electrical. The count held
The cigar he about to light midway i'm
the air, his eyes fixed themselves on
space and a look of disappointment
spread over his handsome, digniiied
face.
1.-The news surprises me-" he said,
after moments silence. II had no
dea--that-that-"
Il was not sure that she would ac
4 rept me until today. But now she has
given her consent, hope her guardians
will not be refused" said Godfrey, his
eyebrows twitching anxiously.
The count lay back in his chair in
silent consideration. 1t was plain that
he was mastering all his tact and
adroitness in his effort to hide from !;
friend and guest the disappointment
this news brought him, and to frame
his reply with gentle heedfulness of his
hearers feelings. He began by sayint
that the announcement had come upon
him quite unexpectedly, that his posi-
ton as guardian was a great RESPONSE
bility, that he was bound to take every
care to secure the happiness of til
girl left in his charge, who was as deal
TO 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 IL
her wealth, and Immediately gave al
account of his income, which her In
heritance and his earnings combined t,
make handsome annuity.
"As for her age" he said, Il thinl
she is old enough to know her owl
mind, many girls marry younger"
Il disagree with you as to her beini
old enough to know her own mind" re
piled the count, "and you must forgiv
me If remind you that you are man.
years her senior"
IF she liz sure enough OF her love 70
me-" Godfrey told him, ito accept m
as her husband, that should be sufilci
ent for her guardian. At all events
she will be her own mistress In les
than two years"
Yes, and II 1 withheld my consen
until then. ! should be free of all re
sponsibility," said the count. But per
haps that delay would seem unkind /
you and her and my sole desire is 70
her happiness, to save her from tn
possibility OF making mistake. There
fore. l will say this: II at the end Z
eighteen months from now she Is sti
willing to become your wife, Will Civ
my sanction to the marriage"
The count could not prevent 1t hein
made public, so he nodded his hea
In silent agreement, and rose from tn
table to end a conversation whose SUI
feet. 1t could plainly be seen. was ia
from pleasant to him.