Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-06-24
he nrst Of the men to enter the draw


the FIRST OF the men to enter the draw
ing room after dinner.
Poor old dad!" Max said as his
father was led away by his valet. Then
in another and more buoyant tone he
continued:
Let us go to the smoking room
and "A a cigar"
I want TO have a big drink said
Dunstan, rousing himself.
Yes. it VIII do you good" Max re-
marked, Grinning,
Il will play too" said Dunstan. TN
just in the humor for it."
Good" replied Max. as he got the
cards. I'VE always play poker"
Its all the same TO me-" replied
Dunstan in desperation. as the three sat
down: but / must have some more
brandy and soda first"
$50 must l." Max said, and then |
shall be in fair trim"
A couple OF hours fled UNDECIDED by
them, and the excitemnt of the play
was at It's height when the smoking
room door suddenly opsHed, and the
count In his dressing gowS and slippers
entered, his hands stretching forward
as he felt his way.
Max" he said, Max, are you there"
Yes, father, we three are here" re-
piled his son in q voice which drink
had made unsteady.
"Yau have been gambling" said the
count r~eproachfully.
Yes" answered Man with q delirous
laugh. Tn regularly cleared out, and
so Is Burbage; we haven't a fraction
left between us. That's SO, Burbage,
Ell? We have lost II all to our wealthy
friend. Eth, COFFEE"
The count stood paralyzrd by what
he heard.
And this after what / told you to-
day" he said in a SHAKING voice. his
p~iaintive blue yes expressing his dis
appointment.
1T dosen't matter. father; COTE will
give US time. He's not a bad chap, you
know, and he's deuced rich. Each OF
US nave given him a bundle of | o Us.
! nave to give him one more
And l Also said Dunstan in a thick
voice. though God knows II / shall be
ever be able to redeem them" he added
in an undertone.
The count was shaking from sup
pressed emotion.
You have ruined yourself and me-"
he said 10 his son reproachfully.
mo, no-not so bad as that" replied
Max laughingly. 1T will be all right:
We'll see about il In the morning. Tn
going 70 bed; but my throat Is i a
lime kiln, and / can't help myself to
soda because my hand shakes. But 1t
will be all right tomorrow and he be-
gan to sing.
1T Will never be right for me again."
said Burbage with the melancholy air
sometimes induced by drink.
Before the III rose that summer
morn Knowleswortl. hall was wrapped
in silence and sleep. Hours later he
had mounted a cloudless sky, and was
sleeping in splendor the old rose garden
where the blind man was counting the
buds on his favorite trees, Edith beside
him. They had already br~eakfasted.
as had also Lady Byshhe, but none or
the young men had yet appeared.
you see, there are three buds on
that yellow noisette, and n OF them
has just opened" he said, gratified by
his own acuteness.
There were really four buds on the
tree but, the girl said:
you are really wonderful, papa. Now
tell me how many there are on this"
Before he could reply a piercing
shrek coming from the house rent the
peaceful morning air.
My God the count muttered under
his breath. What has happened"
ITS Auntie's voice" Edith said, as,
wild with terror she rushed toward the
terraces, where she was met by the
butler.
"Oh, miss, something dreadful has
happened?' he called out In horror.
ITO Lady ByssheY'
mo, miss, only her ladyship screamed
when l told her. It's that young gentle
man, Mr.. Goffe, who has been found
dead in his bed" he said, while his
face expressed the mystery and terror
he dared not speak.