The Leon reporter., 1901-08-29
CHAPTER XVIII.

Denzil did not appear to recover
ute so rapidly as had been at first
Apfidently expected, the inward in
as he had receiyed-though slight
c.l1!* on him more seriously than
IN !, NS. had anticipated.
III Il De had been telegraphed
Sa NJ tklazi4 4ning of the accident, and
had arrived at Kings Abbott early
the following morning, having elected
to travel all night rather than endure
the agonies of suspense, though the
telegram had been very reassuring.
The third day showed their patient
apparently better than on the preced-
ing one. There had been more decided
symptoms of amendment, and he had
gone through the dressing of his
wounds with wonderful composure and
stoicism. But toward evening he grew
depressed and irritable, and evinced
a faint inclination to wander; where
upon the doctor looked grave, shook
his head and made certain changes in
his medicine-but all to no purpose.
The next day he was in raging fever.
The fifth day after the fever first
declared itself Lady Caroline, having
insisted on the poor mothers lying
down for an hour or two, was sitting
In Denzil's room as the time wore on
toward evening. Bending over his bed.
she noticed certain change in his
face.
What is it?" she asked, tenderly.
Mildred" he whispered, with deem
entreaty in his tone, and holding out
his hand.
Il am not Mildred, dear Denzil."
Said Lady Caroline, thinking that he
still raved; but he said:
i know you are not" quite distinct
ly; and then again, 81 want her-why
does she never come to me?"
Poor Lady Caroline was greatly per-
picked; she knew not what to do. Had
things been different she would have
followed the dictates Of her own kind
heart and sent for Mildred on the SPOT:
but, as it was, she remembered former
scenes and Lyndon's recent sad de-
parture and did not care to take th.
responsibility on herself of bringing
her daughter and Denzil together.
Mildred, Mildred" called the sick
man, impatiently; and then the little
ray of reason that had come to him in
connection with her face vanished. and
he wandered off once more into the te,-
rible feverland, bearing with him the
name of her he loved
For two hours he lay thus, calling
sometimes wildly, sometimes feeblv
but always for her, until his loving
nurses heart was smitten to the core,
At length came Stubber, the family
doctor, and, seeing Denzil in this state.
he regarded him silently for several
minutes.
Lady Caroline" said he, with de-
cision, Miss Trevanion must be sent
for, be 1t right or wrong
For which Lady Caroline blessed
him secretly, and sent for Mildred
forthwith.
She came without moments DELAY.
and, even as her foot crossed the
threshold of the door, sudden silence
fell on Denzil. He turned-the fever
for time sank conquered-while his
beautiful eyes lit up with passionate
expectation and fond hope.
Slowly and with hesitation Mildred
Rdvanced to the side of the bed, and
then Lady Caroline went over to the
window. followed hurriedly by the
doctor.
What happened after that nobody
ever knew. for Lady Caroline and
Stubber. standing with their backs TO
the bed, and their faces turned to the
chilly outer world, could tell nothing.
When at length they returned to the
bed they found Mildred pale and trem-
bling, the heavy tears coursing each
other down her cheeks In rapid sue
cession, which she hastily brushed
away = they drew nearer her. her
hand /, Ihtly clasped IN Den.il's He
~ I'll.