Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-06-23
CHAPTER |.
AT knowleswcrth Hall.

Al KNOW ieSWOrth Hall.
Edith Cowley sat in u shadowy cor
her of the rose garden stretching he
meath the soutl, srn terraces &C knowles
worth Hall.
The beautiful and stat ely house, this
vast property in one of the fairest and
most fertile counties ia England. had
been inherited by her. the only child
of parents now some years dend.
She was just 10. ana life with its
fairest promises lay before her. while,
SO far, love had not touched her heart.
Some seven wears 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 and fragile with Il strain of
romance in her character. Witch had
led her to marry for the second time.
the Count Massini, an Italian and Il
widower. with son three years older
than Edith. The counts sight had be
gun to f4il before his marrsge With
Edith's mother, soon after he became
totally blind.
His affection had from the first APP
pealed to the maternal and protee tive
instincts which lie dormant in every
woman's nature and are lavished on
those they love. Her life WAS devoted
to him, and in return he created her
happiness during he ten years of their
married existence. After her death he
and his son Max continued To live ut
Knowlesworth Hail. the family circle
being added to by Lady Byssi.e. lIditin's
maternal aunt, who WAS chi,d;css
widow.
Maxentius, for brevity called Max.
who wished To become. ii doctor. had
been sent To Marlborough. and after
ward to Cambridge. from where. ut the
opening of this tale. he had Just come
down. bringing With him his intimate
friend, Richard COTE, couple of years
his senior.
AS Edith Watched the gracious
curves made by swallows i'm their hight
she canght sound of The soft swish of
skirts, and looking up saw her aunt
coming toward her.
Happy girl Lady Isysshe said. as
she seated herself. Il suppose the boys
haven't come back yet, or we would
have heard them. Ma. is so noisy. DO
they interest you. my dear1''
In n way" Edith answered thought
fully. For instance. | never saw a
young man so easily influenced as Mi.
Goffe; all his ideas are supplied To him
by Max
Who, no doubt is willing To give
what costs him SO little and ma benefit
himself so much
But whore is his attraction for
Max
Mr. Goffe is the son of a wealthy
Manchester manufacturer, and he will
one day be q ricif man"
do YOU think hat is why Max Guilt
Yates him. Edith said
II know 1T is. lis father sent him to
Marlborough and To Cambridge that he
might meet Wit, those who would after
wards be oil service 10 him. IT'S one of
the uses of universities for which even
poor parents are sometimes willing to
pay 5Tore than they can afford
You don't like Max Edith sug
cested.
II hope YOU don't. my dear
He has always been very kind to
me-"
His interests would lead hin, To be =
ann afraid you think him very
mercenary. As for me. | don't think
he cares in the least about money; he
never refers TO it, but always speaks
of his anxiety for my future happi-
ness.
But remember dear chill. that he is
MaX's father first and your stepfat her
and guardian afterward
i ann very fond of him., said Edith
stoutly.
But | hope moi so fond as to obey
him when he asks you to marry his
SS''li' tiso NV N'.ti sDlIis 3ldN, S8lu ncf
aunt, with some show of anxiety
THAT day has yet 10 come replied
Edith, who was amused at her aunt S
perplexity and fear.
Edith, said her aunt, after few
moments consideration. tell me, do
you like Dunstait Burbage2'
''Oh, he is Very nice" Edith replied in
a tone OF Indifference
He is more than that, my dear. he
iC 81 Itch
clever. Now, If We're a girl"
GU like him Very much, Auntjeo"
His parents are dead and | feel like
mother to him. She continued in a
softer tone
"Auntie. dear" said the girl sym
patheticallY, as she laid her hand
caressingly on that OF the elder wom-
an.
Have YOU never heard--I suppose
you We're too young at the time that !
WAS to have married his father. Col
onel Burbage? You will not wonder
that his son is vsSy dear to me-
Yes, he must be" the girl replied
sylnpathetically
Since he has grown up have always
asked him to spend his holidays here.
chiefly in the hope that you might fall
in love with him. That is why /
asked him here at present. You see
Edith smiled, but made no answer.
II know, dear" Lady Bysshe contin-
ued, that the fact of his earning his
living by his profession would make
no difference in your regard of him."
None whatever" Edith assented.
"As a woman of the world. who has
travelled much and seen n great deal of
life, consider myself . Judge of men,
and j feel sure Dunstan would make
you happy"
But If ] cannot love him?" the girl
demonstrated. v
Lady Bysshe 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 by
the low. swelling notes of an organ
coming from the house and vibrating
with a delicious harmony that thrilled
the sleepy summer arr.
CHAPTER III.
Tea was always served in the spa.
cious and beautiful hall, In which al
organ had been built for tho count.
AS his sister-in-law and stepdaughtel
entered, his quick ears caught sound.
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 was close upon so. though
his clear complexion and buoyant ex
preston made him appear younger HI.
stghtless eyes We're dark blue, his fore
head high and intellectual
My dear Edith" he said in a clear
and musical voice, that had but the
smallest trace of a foreign accent, u
am sure you are wearing one of the
'cloth-of-gold' roses"
The girl looked down at the flower II
her belt and smiled.
Il believe. papa. you are a wizard.
She answered.