The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-06-24

the first Of the men to enter the draw
ing room after dinner.
Poor old dad!" MAJ said as his.
father was led away by his valet. Then
continued:
Let US 60 to h smoking room
and have q cigar"
I want to have a big drink" said
Dunstan. rousing himself
Yes. 1t will DO you good" Max re-
marked. %ErinninE.
II Will play too" said Dunstan. I'm
Just In the humor for it,
Good" replied Max, as he got the
cards. w always play poker"
IT all the same TO me-" replied
Dunstan In desperation, as the three sat
down; but l must have some more
brandy and sod first"
so must IT, Max said, land Their 1
shall be in fair trim"
A couple of hours fed unheeded by
them, and the excitennt of the play
was at its height when the smoking
room door suddenly opsaed, and the
count in his dressing goME and slippers
entered, his hands stretching forward
as NE felt his way.
Max" he said, Max, are you thcre?"
Yes. father, we three are here re-
piled his son in a voice which drink
had made unsteady.
"Iau have been gambling" said the
count r~eproachfully.
Yes" answered Max with a dellrous
laugh. I'm regularly cleared out, and
SO is Burbage; we haven't a fraction
left between us. That's SO. Burbage.
Ell? We have lost it all to our wealthy
friend. Eth. COFFEE"
The count stood paralyZad by what
he heard.
And this after what l told you to-
day" he said in a shaking voice. his
p~laintiNe blue eyes expressing his dis
appointment.
1T dosen't matter. father: Goffe Will
give us time. He's not a bad chap, you
know, and he's deuced rich. Each of
US have given him a bundle of I o Us
l have to give him one more
And ALSO said Dunstan in a thick
voice.. though God knows If I 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 to his son reprcachfully.
No. no-not SO bad as that" replied:
Max laughingly. 1T will be all right:
We'll see about it in the morning. I'm
going to bed; but my throat Is like Il
lime kiln, and 1 can't help myself to
soda because my hand shakes. But it
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 sun rose that summer
morn Knowleswofth 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 breakfasted.
as had also Lady Byshhe, but none OF
the young men had yet appeared.
You see, there are three buds on
that yellow noisette. and one OF them
has just opened" he said, grattled 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 happened2'
It's 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.
Tt Lady Bysshe?"
mo. miss. only her ladyship screamed
when I told her. It's that young gentle
man, Mr.. COTE, who has been found
dead in his bed he said, while his
face expressed the mystery and terror
he dared not speak.