The Red Cloud chief., 1901-05-31
CHApTER XIV.-(Continued.J

how engaged | ann" answered Eddie,
casting an expressive glance at Silvia
Isle. who blusbed and simpered,
lowered her white lids in acknowledg-
ment In the most b~ewildering manner.
"Denzil, you are doing nothing-go
and succor the lost damsel, and re-
store her to the bosom Of her bereaved
family"
yes, do 20. and explain things TO
her, Younge,' implored the unsuspect-
ing Lyndon, 'and just say how 1t was
| was put in for my cousin. IL Is an
awful bore" confided his lordship In a
h%eartbroken whisper, but what can a
man do when a girl comes crying to
him about some miserable boys stu
pidity? You bring Mildred home
safely, there's n good fellow; remem-
Der. I leave her to you" and, without
waiting for a reply, Lyndon hustled
of, greatly to his cousins RELIEF, VINO
dreaded lest some inopportune chance
should again consign her to young
Summerton's care.
Both Lady Caroline and Mabel, who
alone there knew his secret, had gone
long since. so Denzil was left with no
one to assist him In this hour OF per-
plexity-with no one to aid him In es-
Gaping the tete-a-tete drive that appar-
emily lay before him. Ever since his
arrival at Kings Abbott he and Mil
dred had scarcely spoken to each other
had shown, indeed. a mutual, though
unspoken determination to avoid each
other in every possible way.
Then came the thought that she
knowing nothing OF the circumstances
would perhaps imagine that he had
connived at this arrangement, and had
made the most OF the opportunity Of
fered to gain u%ndisputed possession Of
her society for the long homeward
drive.
Mildred was in a sadder plight than
Denzil dreamed. Having wandered
rather farther than she had had any
intention of doing on first setting out,
and discovering that a wood in jan
uary Is by no means the same thing
that II is In July. she began to retrace
her steps with the design OF return
ing home with her mother. Dreadine
that she might be late. and feeling
besides intensely cold she commenced
to run, and as she ran her foot came
upon n frozen pool. slipping upon
which she came heavily to the ground
Raising herself up again directly and
thinking nothing Of it she hurried on
once more. but presently an intense
pain in her foot startled her, which IN
a few minutes increased to such a de-
gree that she wa obliged to seat her
self on the trunk Of a fallen tree ant
acknowledge herself disabled, consider
how best to ~acQuaint her friends with
her mishap.
Fully half an hour passed thus. ant
she wal almost upon the verge Of de
spair, when footsteps coming hurried!
toward her from n side direction
reused her. and raising her eyes, sh'
beheld Denzil. She blushed crimson.
What has brought him?" she won
dered. Surely Lyndon"
AT last I have found YOU said Den
I'll in his coolest tone, and as though
he were politely bored at having beef
put to so much inconvenience. Il hav0
come to tell you that the others 81,
all gone"
Gone" echoed Mildred, with as
LYNDON"
His cousin, Miss Deverill. was s.
nervous that she insisted on his driv
ing her home. so he commissioned m
to find you, and bear you his apollo
gies.' returned Denzil, repeating hi
lesson with prompt decision.
II do not understand his treatin
me in such n manner said Miss IRE
vanion, very pale and proud; IAN
where were Eddie and Charlie?"
They also were fully occupied,
Denzil said bitterly; but your sister
preferring to return home with Lad
Caroline, unfortunately left me free. -
Mildred bit her lin.
Il regret very much that you shoul
have given yourself this trouble" ST
said SLOWLY am sorry you HAY
come"
And so am l." returned Denzi
haughtily; but IL Is not my dt
ing. | beg YOU to believe, Miss TT,
vanion that If | could have avoided
| would have done So Then, SEER
she made no attempt to move. !
added, Had You better o come?
il getting very late
She made no answer, but. putin
her hand against the side of the tire
, raised herself to a standing positio
; As the injured foot, however, W
: brought more firmly to the ground
spasm of pain contracted her face.
2 What is the matter? Have y,
> hurt YOURSELF" he asked, in q som
= what softer tone.
II have strained my foot In sor
awkward way-it is nothing" she a
G swercd.
= Perhaps you had better take I
q arm" said he, still coldly; and she
d turned.
v "No thank VIM I think I ran p,o