Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-09-09
CHAPTER XIV.
THE owns

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Clusters OF candles in great candeiabra
threw a soft glow upon the plate OF
silver and gold, used clly on festivals
such as that they celebrated, on the
array OF sparkling glass and on the
delici0uBly odorous ot-hous flowers,
leaving almost In shadow the room sur
rounding them, with its wainscotting OF
old oak, above which hung ancient
tapestries representing allegorical sub
jeets.
Edith, who had been taken into dim
ner by Godfrey, sat beside him, her
gown, Of some soft lustreless material
the color of dead gold, contrasting
the fairness OF her gracefully-curved
shoulders. A faint pink tint, like the
heart OF a blush rose, was just visible
through tae transparency OF her COM
plexion, and her eyes shone with the
mystic light OF happiness. Her only
ornament was a string or pearls ciasped
about her beautifully rounded throat.
She was in the strange position or
sitting at table with three men, each of
whom had asked her TO be his wife.
They whom she had refused would
have been more han human a they
forgotten their hopes OF winning her.
They glanced from her, with her ex-
preston of unrestrained and undis-
guised t~oyousness, 10 him whose
tenance showed his triumphant salts
faction. and felt their blood stirred
with burning jealousy, with bitter dis
quietude.
II thought your friend, Signor Ven-
eto. most interesting" Lady Bysshe
said to Dunstan, being anxious to rouse
him from the silent mood into which
he had fallen. rs he still or the verge
OF great discoyeries?"
She smiled at him with her gracious,
a~ffectionate manner. and he turned
toward her responsive TO the sympathy
he lntuitfvely knew she felt for his
wounded love; and admiring her hand
some. regular features with their ex-
preston Of intelligence n huEnor, and
her well set. portly figure clad In violet
velvet, with amethysts clasping her
arms and throat.
'Signor Veneto still believes In the
unknown power OF electricity. TO him
II is a genii, who Ii only captured, car
work miracles" he told her.
Like that poor DIR. Zoffani, who Is
certain he will one day be able to make
gold from lead"
II heard OF him when / was in Italy,
but saw him."
"prearners." CALCULATED the count
IL is dreamers who make the worlds
history remarked Dunstan. Their
dreams are suggestions on which others
act
My dear friend" the count replied.
as he turned his vacant eyes toward
him, n dd not use the word disparag-
tngiy Our dreams, whether by day or
night, are the result Of imagination:
and Nasneut Il what should we be?
Mere human machines. Besides, / am
myself = dreamer"
what do you dream Of papa?"
asked Edhh.
strange things. = he replied.
Tel rs II them" Lady Bysshe en-
treated.
That would be impossible" he said.
his handsome face becoming unusually
fhouEhtfui. Our dreams are the
secrets Of our souls
rBut have your dreams never become
actlaasfties 2" asked Dunstan.
oh YES some Of them have-some
OF Mem" the count admitted.
Il thought they must"
why why?" the count asked. with
abrupt anxiety.
oh. simply because it's a theory OF
mine hat ones dreams, or In other
words 0ne's desires, lie persisted in. be-
come reai~ities--though o always he
added, remembering his own disap-
.p0intR7ea1t.
The momentary silence hat followed
his wQrGa was broken by the barrister.
who plnnged into a witty story regard
Ing d well-known judge and his singu-
lar dream. and the conversation went
briskfy en0ugh for the remainder OF the
meal.
In the drawing room later on. ell
seemed g join IN making the last
ni9h the Ssan -ssse
merit In thought reading was proposed
by MeKx, who had lately seen some
wonderful exhibitions OF this power,
but X was objected to by the count,
who dis4lked dabbling in such matters,
and VI was rejected In favor OF music,
the csuut playing Beethoven M Cho-
pin. axy Edith singing some old Eng
lish baAads that seemed inexpressibly
sweet a. given by her fresh young
The applause that followed one OF
these wws suddenly broken by the clash
OF AbStant church bells. ALI started,
not kn~wsng It was so near midnight
They are ringing out the old year."
said MaK.
rNaw I open one Of the windows so
that We may near them better7p
The rain had ceased, but the sky was
impe7retrable and a heavy density hung
above the blurred earth.
They stood round the open window.
within the warm, weli-lighted room,
listeT&sg TO the bells In silence as IL
b peal brought FAC a message that
vert straight to the heart. Suddenly
In q bst1< lull. q sound was heard like
a st1Ded scream. Edith started, and
asked What 1t was.
Max laughed boyishly. as IL enjoying
her f1&EhtS Its only" he explained,
one q The owls that build In the Ivy
covering the wing where we sleep.
TheB sometimes wake me at night,
and make my blood run cold. Don't
you sh1nsx they ought TO be done away
IN, no." Edith answered. 4 have