The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-06-06

} MiIdred 80
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BY THE DVcHE S
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is appealing to Lady Caroline.
My dear Frances" said her lady
ship. "he has been here only week
or 10 and is 1t necessity that he must
lose his heart in that space of time ?
He shoots all day with Eddie. and sees
Mildred at dinner time, and talks to
Mabel for half an hour before bed
time-and that is tho extent Of his
love-making. So, you see. the field is
quite open to you"
Il see." Miss Sylverton rejoined,
turning her clear violet eyes first on
Lady Caroline and then on Mildred;
he talks to Mabel-which means that
Mildred will not look at him, in spite
OF his UNLIMITED thousands. Well. /
thank heaven was not born with aris-
tocratic tendencies; and l think Mabel
is right Is he handsome?"
Very" answered Lady Caroline, see
ing that Mildred would not open her
lips on the subject.
hlch, handsome and young. In
every sense of the word" cried Fran
ces, why, what more is want
ing? With your mission, Lady
Caroline, and without Mabels, shall
certainly marry this young man." and
then the door opened, and Eddie came
into the room.
frank" he exclaimed, with undis-
guised delight: my dear fellow. is it
lnoeed you? never anticipated such
happy surprise when l came here to
hunt my pipe. Why, what has brought
you home so soon? Is it indeed your
very self in the flesh?"
Rather" said Miss Sylverton. 1T
came to this you see, that, as usual 1
couldn't see the old boys line of con-
duct, and SO bolted, quite as much to
his relief as my own"
Il can readily believe that" put in
Eddie innocently.
Besides. the country down there
was stupid, and 1 was getting bored to
death" went on Frances.
Can't you say out boldly and hon
estly that you couldn't do without
me?" said Eddie mischievously; and
Miss Sylverton instantly rose to the
combat.
You shall have your ears soundly
boxed for that piece of unwarrant-
able impertinence," she declared, and
laid down her little silver mounted
riding whip preparatory to commence
ing operations
Having chased Eddie successfully
into corner presently, Miss Sylves-
toun laid her pretty hands about his
ears with great rapidity, until he had
cried peccavi several times, when she
desisted, and they both looked up to
see Denzil Younge standing in the
doorway. laughing heartily at the
whole encounter. He looked SO ex-
tremely handsome, and the entire
scene was SO out Of keeping with all
propriety. that for once in her life
Miss Sylverton blushed crimson.
You there-and you never came to
my rescued" said EDDIE when he had
recovered his breath, looking re-
proachfully at Denzil as he spoke.
well, 1 would not have believed it Of
you. However, the longer we live,
the more we learn, and suppose 1t is
the way Of the world. Miss Sylverton
Mr. Younge."
ooh, Mr.. Younge, indeed l did not
know you were there" Miss Sylverton
murmured, demurely, looking as If she
could not hurt a fly to save her life;
land, besides, Eddie and 1 are such old
friends" Here she made the discovery
that she was excusing her conduct to
a strange young mana thing Miss
Lylverton had never before been guilty
Of.
well, wonders will never cease.
declare she is actually ashamed Of
herself" exclaimed Eddie, who was
enjoying her unwonted confusion i'm
mensely. II verify believe she is
blushing."
"No, I am not" returned Miss Syl-
verton, promptly. quite ready now for
a war of words Iar from It,
"If that is how you treat your
friends" broke in Danzil, II should
like very much indeed to put my name
upon your list, Miss sylverton."
Would you?" she said coQuettish-
ly. Are you not frightened? Well
If you behave prettily and make up
your mind to endure good deal Of
ill-treatment, dare say l shall be
able to make room for you. But 1
must have time to judge of you first"
Thanks, and for how long am
to be put on trial? Don't make it too
long" pleaded Denzil. In his lazy,
musical voice. For the life of him he
never could refrain from softening his
tone when addressing a pretty wo-
man.
"For Just one week." answered
Frances. II could understand Machta-
| velli himself in week, so next Fri
day you may come to me for my de-
cision."
I'm the meantime, Miss Trevanion, I
hope you will put in good word for
me-" Denzil said. turning to where
Mildred was standing.
Certainly. I Will even put in two
for you on this occasion-it is such an
important one," Miss Trevanion re-
turned, smillng on him her sweet cold
smile, which somehow had the effect
OF sending the blood throbbing back
into his heart; and then the CONVEX
sation changed.
Where is Mabel?" Frances asked
presently. II have seen nothing of
either her or Sir George"
Papa went to Pinchley Common
an nour ago." Mildred answered: "but
l cannot imagine where Mabel has
hidden herself 80 effectually."