Hutchinson gazette., 1901-06-27

want 70 80 ueHhhutu W. pt"p"S'I
irrltUbly
lle had grown wonderfully fond OF
his patient during the past few weeks,
and could not bear TO deny him any
thing but what was impossible
"ro the library" said Den2ll; "they
can wheel the sofa ND TO the fire, and
promise you faithfully will not try
to walk, GIVE me your permission,
aud then my mother and Lady Caro-
limo can say nothing, ! want TO 50
down tomorrow"
well. woll, wo will see about II, y
answerod the doctor,
This reply, Den2ll knew was equiv
alent to n promise, And accordingly
the following day saw him Installed In
state in the library with books and
early spring flowers around him and
all The family at his beck and call,
II 30 fell out that about three o'clock
he was alone, Mrs. Younge having been
called OF for somo reason by Mabel,
with an assurance that she would let
her 90 back again In less than FIVE
minutes
Almost as they closed the one door
In making their exit the other, situated
at the top Of the room, opened, and
Mildred Trevanion came In. Seeing
Den2il so unexpectedly alone, she hes
itated Rlightly for moment, and then
came forwNd, looking rather shy and
conscious, he thought
She was remembering her last Inter
view with him in his own room, and
was feeling terribly embarrassed In
consequence while he was dwelling
upon ihe same scene, but was viewing
It very diGerently-not as a reality,
bul merely IN the light Of happy
dream.
81 am very glad to see you," she
said. rather awkwardly, standing be-
side his lounge and looking down upon
him.
you might have seen me long ago
II you had cared to do so," he re-
joined, reproachfully. "You are the
only one Of all the household who
never came near me during my i'll
ness"
Mildred glanced at him susplclously
Had he really forgotten all about It.?
His face was supremely innocent and
she drew deep breath of relief which
yet was mingled with little pain that
he should so entirely have let her visit
slip his memory.
You had 30 many to see after you--
was scarcely wanted" she said; "and
OF course all day | heard reports Of
your well being"
"Still Won might have come, II only
for few minutes" he persisted Not
that expected you would, There was
no reason why you, Of all people
should trouble yourself about me"
"Ir | had thought you wished me
.----.-"
Mildred he exclaimed, angrlly;
and then she ceased speaking alto
gethcr, knowing she had veXed him by
the open hypocrisy of her last remark
III she had thought! when she
knew in her inmost heart, how he had
been waiting, hoping, longing for some
sign OF hC presence,
so you have broken off your en-
gagcmont with Lyndon?" he said,
presently, regarding her attentlvely,
Yes" she answered, quietly; "or
rather ne broke 1t off with me-"
"IIe" repeated Densil, with amaze
ment. "Then 1t was his dong-not
yours? How could that be?' Then,
jealously--"And you would perhaps
have wished It to continue? You
have been unhappy and miserable ever
since?"
a have not been unhappy exactly,
or miserable; but certainly would
not have been the one to end it"
what was the renson?" he asked,
mthinlSly; then-"I beg your pardon,
Of course should not have asked
lhat"
There were many reasons re-
turned shc calmly. Perhaps with n
little bittor laugh-"you were right
after all, DO you remember telling me
that you thought no good man would
ever care to marry ME? Well, your
words are coming true, think"
"Will you never forget that said
that?" Denglls voice was full Of pain
as he spoke. "You know did not
mean It, How could I, when think
YOU Gar above all women? You know
what think Of you-how have loved
you and always shall love you until
my death
'Oh, hush!' implored Mildred, tre-
mulously, suddenly growing very pale.
Then, hearing the sound Of approach
ing footsteps, she asked him hurriedi
ly--"Are you getting stronger now
really better? should like to hear
that from yourself"
Would your" ho said, looking
pleased and radiant, and possessing
himself of one Of the small slonder
hands TINT fell at her side. "Do you
really lare to know? Have you any
interest at all in me? Say you will
come and 500 me, then, here tomorrow
at this hour. Think how lonely II is
to lie stM all day." He pressed her
hand entreatlngly and kissed 1t.