Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-09-01
Godfrey thanked him saying he would

Godfrey thanked him saying he would
take charge of the box himself.
When he reached the platform he
came face to face with Dunstan Bur-
bage. Who had Travelled from town to
town with him in the same train, a
fact of which the barrister was ignor-
ant; though Dunstan had seen him at
Charing Cross station, feeling toward
him Il nervous shyness that almost
amounted to timidity.
SO we have travelled together?' said
Godfrey Il thought you had been
staying at the hall for Christmas
Lady Bysshe asked me, but had
already promised my Hadley friends to
spend Christmas with them"
N curious kind of a man. Signor
Neneto," the barrister remarked.
Yes, very clever
Il suppose he is?" Godfrey affirmed.
Though a stranger might not sup
pose it," added Dunstan.
do YOU mean a chemist?
He has knowledge of all kinds
of subjects, some of them out of the
beaten track
Indeed"
They we're Interrupted by the footllls,l,
who came to say that he had got the
luggage, and Dunstan followed the bar
rister TO the brougham, In which they
We're driven to the hall In another
moment.
Both We're too much occupied by their
thoughts to resume conversation. Lady
l'ysshe had long before broken the
news to Dunstan of 1Idlths engage
mcnt; and though he forsaw that it
would be impossible. even IL she loved
him, for her to marry him SO long as
a cloud hung over his name-yet he
could not help feeling bitter sense
of loss, and keen envy OF the man
whom she had favored.
A I1tl1 -
Geoitrey unclaimed the box from his
waist, SO that presently when he en-
tered the great hall amid the clamor
of barking dogs and welcoming voices,
ne was enabled to lay IT down before
hurrNing to where Edith stood With
to greet and receive his greeting
I'm the momentary hustle of their en-
trance Dunstan recovered his calm
ness. and the awlswardness occasioncd
by his remembrance that when last
ne had been there II was as a prisoner
and Edith expressed their pleasure at
seeing him. though to his sensitive
mind their manner was ttnged with
pity for him. while the count and Max
likewise welcomed him With hearty
1rlendllness
| The dun. lowering sky. the thin, per-
sistent rain The heavy atmosphere and
| drench"6l landscape We're all shut out,
and tho great hail. glowing with the
heat of burning logs, bright with the
lisht OF candles and lamps and dec
GRATED With holly and misletoe had a
| Joyous and festive appearance.
When tea was being drunk, buttered
toast eaten and talk continued, Geof-
frey never lost sight of the little black
box he had set down I'm the alcove of
window. Seeing the direction to
which his eyes continually turned, Lady
| BNSShe asked him what III contained.
All, that is u secret" he replied,
smiling at her.
From me?"
From Edith" said he. glancing
| toward where she sat talking to Dun
stan, whose face had frightened, as IL
the past six months with their momen-
tous events were blotted from his life.
and he was again sutton for her
! love
Like all women, am fond of Sc
crcts, Lady Bysshc said coaXingly.
Well, the box contains something
my mother has sent her future daugh-
| tef-ln law, together With my own
birthday Offering" Godfrey explained.
4 How kind of your dear mother and
| yourself
4 The something my mother has sent
IS AN helrloom-the Famous necklace of
oriental rubies given by Mary Queen
| OF Scots to one OF her ladies' i'm waiting,
Trey told herl
remember your uncle telllng me
OIL IL, nut nave never seen 1T. sup
pose u is very beautiful. l long for a
SIGHT or ~.
Inc settins is OIL French workman
snip ana the STONES are SAID TO be
Wohdefluily pure. MY own present OF a
diamond ana sapphire bracelet Will
seem seem as nolhihs Deside ~.
cdlth ~ WIZ pc prlceless-com-
li's from you. But am impatient TO
see tnelll, .'eolifey.
II intend 70 give her surprise by
oleilns tnem 10 her tomorrow morn
Ihs ,New ,eaf Gay ana her plrthday
Som kloW.
.,ul am 10 wait LOT sight or them
illeil ,.!lell, II so shaht steep WINK
'olllsllt' you doli make allowances foI
woman rove or peauliiui jewels,
Lacy l'ysshe sald Jestngly.
put NOW am 10 snow them 10 you
Wl''loul rdllh seeing them also? he
ASKED.
ms aunt 'houeht moment before
answering.
GU couldht let me see them now.
OF course, ana we shall nave barely
llllie 10 Dress before dllnef: put When
lSd'lh and nave retired from the night
VIII come PACK 10 the drawing room
ana you VIII let me nave peep at
ihcin.
With pleasure. need not ask You,
my dear aunt, not to drop her hint;
want TO give her surprise
You may depend on me, Godfrey.
Ana now to dress, she called out, as
she stood up, or we shall all be late.
up the great oak staircase, leaving the
men to follow.