Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-06-23

the first of the men to enter the draw
ing room after dinner.
Poor old dad" Max said as his
father WAS led away 10y his valet. Then
in another and moro buoyant tone he
continues:
Let us go to the smoking room
| and have a cigar
Il want to have a big drink said
Dunstan, rousing himself.
Yes, 1t Will do you good sIaN .e-
marked. grinring.
Il will play too" said Dnnstan. TIM
just In the humor for it,
Good" replied Max, as he got the
cards. I'VE always i'lay poker
! It's all the same To me-" replied
Dunstan in desperation. MS the three SAL
down: hut must have some more
brandy and soda first.
! so must L." Max said, AM then
shall be IN fair trim.
A couple of hours He'd unhseaed by
them and the eXctemnt of the plisy
Was at its height when the smoking
room door suddenly opened, and the
count In his dressing gown and slippers
entered, his hands; stretching forward
as he felt his way.
Max" he said. Man. are you there
Yes. father, we three are here" re-
! piled his son in a Voice which drink
had made unsteady.
'.Yau have been gambling said The
count reproachflilly.
Yes" answered Max with Il delirous
laugh, I'm regularly cleared out, and
SO is Burbage; we haven't fraction
left between us. That's so. Burbage
eli? We have lost il all to our wealthy
friend. Eth. COFFEE
The count stood par;lyzed by what
he heard.
And this after what told you to-
day" he said in a shaking voice. his
plaiptlNc blue eyes expressing his dis
appointment.
1T dosen't matter father, o;ofe MIN
give us time. He's; not a bad chap. you
know, and he's deucel rich. Each oi
us have given him IL bundle of O Us
i have to give him one more"
And Also said Dunstan in u thick
Voice. though God knows if shall bs
( ever be able to redeem Them he aadel
in an undartone.
/ The count WAS shaking from sup
\ pressed enoton.
You have ruined yourself and me-
he said tn his SON reproachfully.
No, no mot so bad as that" replied
Man laughingly. ut will be all right.
we'll see about IT In the morning I'm
going tn bed but n,y throat is like .
lime Kiln. and l can't help myself IL
soda be, ause my hand shakes. But j;
gan to sing.
1T Will never be right for me again
said Rurbage with the melancholy aii
sometimes induced 10y drink.
Before the sun rose that Summer
morn Knowlesworth hall WAS Wrapped
i'm silence and sleep. Hours later he
had mounte Il olouelless sky. AND WAS
stepping in spendor the old reese garden
where The blind MON WAS counting The
buds ON his faNurile trees, edith beside
him. They had al ,ridy break tasted
as had also Lady lByshhe. bu! none Of
the Young mon had Yet appeared.
You s"e. there al'e three buds on
that yellow nGisettc. and one of lhem
has just opened he said. sraiified by
his oWsi art!teneSs.
There were really four buiis ON the
tree bit, the girl said:
You are realty WONDERFUL papa. NdM
toll r,e how many li"re ;ie ON This
Before he eouli leiiN n pier !a
Shrek coming i ON the house rent tbs
peaceful morning air
My Cod" The count muuelol under
his breath. What has happened
Its Auntic's voice." lIdiih said, as
Wild With terror she rushed toward The
terraces. where she Was met bA ,ho
butler.
"0li, Miss. something dreadful Mas
happencd?' he called out in horror
10 Lady pyssne2'
No miss, only her adysllip sc.,.anltd
I when told her. lis that Young gentle
man, Mr.. COTE, Who has been follne
dead ~ his bed" he said. willis his
face expressed the mystery AND telrui
he dared not speak.