Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-06-24
CHAPTER /.
AT Knowlesworth Hall.

Edith Cowley sat in a shadowy cor
ner of the rose garden stretching be-
meath the southern terraces of Knowles
worth Hall.
The beautiful and stately house, this
vast property in one of the fairest and
most fertile counties in England, had
been inherited by her. the only child
Of parents now some years dead.
She was just 10, and life with its
fairest promises lay before her, while,
so far, love had not touched her heart.
Some seven years 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 a strain of
romanc in her character, which had
led her 10 marry for the second time,
the Count Massini. an Italian and a
widower, With a son three years older
than Edith, The counts sight had be-
gun to fail before his marriage with
Edith's mother, soon after he became
totally blind.
His afliction had from the first APP
pealed to the maternal and protective
instincts which lie dormant in every
woman. nature n are laYished on
those they love. Her life was devoted
TO him, and in retur he created her
lldPDlAlCSS dhiiiiS A AGlA sCoAS VI biASiA
married existence. After her death he
and his son Max continued to live at
Knowlesworth Hall, the family circle
being added to by Lady Bysshe, Edith's
maternal aunt, who was a chiIdless
widow.
Maxentius, for brevity called Max,
who wished TO become a doctor, had
been sent to Marlborough, and after
ward TO Cambridge, from where, at the
nppninD nf this flla he, had inst 1nf11a
down, bringing with him his intimate
friend, Richard COTE, a couple OF ear
his senior.
AS Edith watched the gracious
curves made by swallows in their flight
she caught sound of the soft swish of
skirts, and looking up saw her aunt
coming toward her.
Happy girl" Lady Bysshe said, as
she seated herself. II suppose the boys
haven't come back yet, or we would
have heard them. Max is SO noisy. Do
they interest you my dear?"
I'm a way" Edith answered thought
fully. For instance, | never saw a
young man SO easily Influenced as Mr..
Goffe; all mis- ideas are supplied TO him
by Max"
who, no doubt. is willing to give
what costs him so little and may benefit
himself SO much
But where is his attraction for
MAXI"
MIR. Goffe is the son of a wealthy
Manchester manufacturer, n he will
one day be a rich man"
DO you think that is why Max culti-
Yates him 2" Edith said.
Il know it is. His father sent him TO
Marlborough and to Cambridge that he
might meet with those who would after
wards be of service to him. It's one OF
the uses of universities for which even
poor parents are sometimes willing to
pay more than they can afford
You don't like Max Edith sug-
gested.
II hope you don't, my dear"
He has always been very kind to
me-"
His interests would lead him to be-"
Il am afraid you think him very
mercenary. As for me, / don't think
he cares in the least about money; he
never refers to II, but always speaks
of his anxiety for my future happi-
ness
But remember, lear child, that he is
Max's father first and your stepfather
and guardian sfterward."
II am very fond of him. said Edith
stoutly.
But / hope not SO fond as to obey
him when he asks you TO marry his
son as he viii some day. said her
aunt, with some show of anxiety.
That day has yet to come" replied
Edith, who was amused at her aunt's
p~erplexity and fear.
Edith" said her aunt, after a few
moments consideration, tell me, dc
you like Dunstant Burbage?"
"Oh, he is very nice Edith replied in
a tone of indifference.
He is more than that, my dear. He
is handsome, distinguished looking ana
clever. Now, If / were a girl
You like him very much, Auntie?"
His parents are dead, and l feel like
a 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 uppos
you were too young at the time-that /
was to have married his father, Col
onel Burbage? You. viii not wonder
that his son is very dear to me-"
Yes, he must be- the girl replied
sympathetically.
"Since he has grown up / have always
asked him to spend his holidays here.
chiefly in the hope that o might fall
in love with him.. That Is why /
asked him here at present. You see
what a conspirator 1 am"
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.
las a woman of the world, who has
Travelled much and seen a great deal of
life, / consider myself a Judge of men,
and / feel sure Dunstan would make
you happy
But If / cannot love him." the girl
demonstrated.
Lady Dysshe 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 air.
CHAPTER III.
Tea was always served IN the spa
cious and beautiful hall, IN which an
organ had been built for the count.
As his sister-in-law and stepdaughter
entered, hts quick ears caught sounds
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.