The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-06-24

Meath the southern terraces of Knowles
worth Hall.
The beautiful and stately house, this
vast property In one OF the fairest and
most fertile counties in England, had
been inherited by her. the only child
Of parents now some years dead.
She was Just 10. and life With its
falrest promises lay before her. while.
so far, love had not touched her heart.
some seven years before The opening
OF this story her first and only grief
had fallen on her, when she lost her
mother. a sweet and gentle woman,
Sensitive II fragile with q strain of
romance in her character, which had
led her to marry for the second time.
the Count Massini. an Italian and g
Wtdower. with a son three years older
than Edith. The counts sight had be-
gun TO fail before his marriage With
Edith's mother, soon after he became
totally blind.
His annction had from the first APP
pealed to the maternal and protective
instincts which lie dormant in every
woman. nature and ARES lavished on
hose they love. Her life was devoted
to him, and in return he created her
happiness during the ten years. of their
married existence. After her death he
and his son Man continued to live at
Knowlesworth Hall. the family circle
being added to by Lady BYsshe. Edith,S
maternal aunt, who was a ~childless
widow.
Maxentius, for brevity called Max,
}who wished to become a doctor. had
been sent to Marlborough. and after
ward to Cambridge, from where. III the
opening of this tate. he had just come
down. bringing with him his intimate
friend. Richard COTE. a couple of years
his senior.
AS Edith Watched the gracious
curves made by swallows In their flight
she caught sound of the soft swish OF
skirts. and looking up saw her aun
coming coward her.
Happy grill" Lady Byss!le said, as
she seated herself. II suppose the boys
haven't come back Yet. or we would
have heard them. Ma Is so noisy. DO
they interest you. my dear"
I'm way" Edith answered thought
fully. For instance, / never saw q
young man SO easily Influenced as Mr..
COTE; all his ideas are supplied to him
by Max"
who, no doubt. is willing to give
what costs him so little and may benefit
himself SO much
But where is his attraction for
Max"
Mr.. COTE is the son of Il wealthy
Manchester manufacturer. II he Will
one day be a rich man"
ID you think that is why Max cult
Yates him." Edith said.
Il know 1t IL. His father sent him to
Electromagnetic to Cambridge that he
| might meet with those who would after
wards be of service to him. It's one OF
the uses of universities for which ven
poor parents are sometimes willing TO
a more than they can afford"
You don't like Max" Edith sug-
Cested.
Il hope you don't, my dear"
He has always been very kind to
| me-"
His interests would lead him to be-"
II am afraid you him him very
mercenary. AS for me, l don't mir
| he cares in the least about money: he
never refers to 1t. but always speaks
of his anxiety for my future happi-
ness"
Max's father first and your stepfather
and guardian afterward."
II am very fond OF him." said Edith
stoutly.
But 1 hope not so fond as to obey
him when he asks you to marry his
son, as he will some day." said her
aunt. with some show of anxiety.
That day has yet TO come" replied
Edith, who was amused at her aunt's
perplexity and fear.
Edith" said her aunt, after a few
moments consideration, tell me, do
you like Dunstant Burbage?"
oh. he is very nice" Edith replied in
a tone of Indifference.
II is more thar that, my dear. He
is handsome, distinguished looking and
clever. Now. II I We're a girl"
You like him very much, Auntie?"
His parents are dead. and | feel like
a mother to him." She continued in a
softer M
"Aunrie. dear" said the girl sym
pathetfcally, as She laid her hand
ca~ressingly on that of the elder won1-
an
Have you never heard-I suppose
you We're too young at the time-that
wa to have married his father, Col
onel Burbage? You will not wonder
that his son is very dear to me-"
"Yess he must be-" the girl replied
sympathetically.
Since he has grown up 1 have always
asked him to spend his holidays here.
chiefly in the hope that you might fall
in love With him. That is why I
asked him here at present. You see
what a conspirator | am"
Edith smiled, but made no answer.
Il know, dearT Lady Bysshe contin-
ued, that the fact of his earning his
living by his profession would make
ITO dllIeEeTCe IN your reEard of him."
None whatever" Edith assented.
A a oma of the world, Who has
Travelled much n seen a. great deal of
life, I consider myself a judge Of men,
n l feel sure Dunstan would make
you happy"
But If 1 cannot love him?" the girl
demonstrated.
Lady Dysshe turned away her head
in silence unwilling that her bitter dis
appointment should be seen.
Presently the silence that followed
was filled rather than interrupted BIZ
the low. swelling notes Of an organ
coming from the house and vibrating
with a delicious harmony that thrilled
the sleepy hummer alr.
CHAPTER II.
Tea was always served in the spa
cious and beautiful hall. in which an
organ had been built for the cunt.
I. As his sister-in-lawr and stepdaughter
entered, his quick ears caught sounds
Of their footsteps above the music,
which presently ceased: when, passing
along the gallery. he slowly and care
fully guided himself down the stair
way.
The count vas close upon so. though
his clear complexion and buoyant ex-
preston made him appear His