The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-06-24

the first of the men to enter the draw
Ing room after dinner.
Poor old dad" Max said as his
father was led away by his valet. Then
in another and more buoyant tone he
continues:
Let us go to the smoking room
and have cigar"
Il want to have Il big drink" said
Dunstan, rousing himself.
Yes, it will do you good" Max re-
marked, grinning.
L Will play too" said Dunstan. I'm
just in the humor for it,
Good" replied Max, as he got the
cards. I'VE always play poker"
Its all the same to me-" replied
Dunstan in desperation, as the three sat
down; but l must have some more
brandy and soda first"
80 must l." Max said, and then :
shall be In fair trim"
couple of hours fled UNDECIDED by
them, and the eXcitemnt of the play
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, Max, are you there 2"
Yes, father, we three are here" re-
Piled his son in voice which drink
had made unsteady.
| "'Iau have been gambling" said the
count reproachfully
Yes answered Max With a delirous
laugh, I'm regularly cleared out, and
/ so is Burbage; we haven't Il fraction
! left between us. That's SO, BurbaGe,
Ell? We have lost it all to our wealthy
friend. Eth. COFFEE"
The count stood paralyzed by what
/ he heard
! And this after what l told YOU to-
day he said in a shaking voice his
plaintive blue eyes expressing his dis
appointment.
1T dosen't matter, father; Goffe will
give us time. He's not bad chap, YOU
know, and he's deuced rich. Each of
us have given him bundle of l . Us.
/ have to give him one more"
| And | also" said DunStan in Il thick
voice, though God knows if l 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 reproachfully.
mo. no-not so bad as that" replied
Max laughingly. TT will be all right;
We'll see about it in the morning. I'm
going to bed but my throat is like u
lime kiln, and l can't help myself to
soda because my hand shakes. But 1t
I 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 Knowlcsworth hail was wrapped
IN silence and sleep. Hours later he
had mounted II coudless 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 breakfastcd,
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
/ his own acuteneSS.
! There We're really four buds on the
| tree but, the girl said:
You are really wonderful, papa. New
! 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 Cod the count muttered under
his breath. What has happened"
Its 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
happened?" he called out III horror.
ITO Lady Rysshe"'
mo, miss, only her ludyship screamed
! when Told her It's that young gentle
man. Mn, COTE who has been found
dead in his bed" he said, While his
face expressed the mystery and terror
I he dared not speak.