The Yale expositor., 1901-06-21


irritably.
He 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.
"To the library" said Denzil; "they
can wheel the sofa up to the fire, and
l promise you faithfully | will not try
to walk. Give me your permission,
and then my mother and Lady Caro-
line can say nothing. l want to go
down tomorrow"
We'll. we'll, we will see about it,
answered the doctor.
This reply, Denzil knew, was equiv
alent to a 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.
1t so fell out that about three o'clock
he was alone, Mrs. Younge having been
called off for some reason by Mabel,
with an assurance that she would let
her go 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
Denzil so Unexpectedly alone, she hes
itated slightly for moment, and then
came forward, 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 the same scene, but was viewing
it very differently-not as reality,
but 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
if 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 suspiciously.
Had he really forgotten all about it?
His face was supremely innocent, and
she drew a deep breath of relief, which
yet was mingled with a little pain that
he should so entirely have let her visit
slip his memory.
You had so many to see after you
l was scarcely wanted" she said; "and
of course all day heard reports of
your well being"
still you might have come, if only
for few minutes" he persisted Not
that l expected you would. There was
no reason why you, of all people,
should trouble yourself about me-"
eff l had thought you wished me
and then she ceased speaking alto
gether, knowing she had vexed him by
the open hypocrisy of h." last remark.
'If she had thought" she
knew, in her Utmost heart, how he had
been waiting, hoping, longing for some
sign of her presence.
so you have broken off your en-
gagement with Lyndon?" he said
presently, regarding her attentively.
Eyes," she answered, quietly; cor.
rather. he broke it off with me-"
"He!" repeated Denzil, with amaze
ment. 'Then it was his doing-not
yours? How could that be?" Then.
have wished it to continue? You
have been unhappy and miserable ever
since?"
Il have not been unhappy exactly
or miserable; but l certainly would
not have been the one to end it."
What was the reason?" he asked
unthinkly; then-'I beg your pardon
OF course l should not have asked
that"
There were many reasons" re-
turned she, calmly. "Perhaps"-with a
little bitter 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, l think"
"Will you never forget that | said
that?" Denzil's voice was full Of pain
as he spoke. you know | did not
mean It, How could /, when l think
you far above all women? You know
what | think OF you-how have loved
you and always shall love you uatil
my death"
"Oh, hush!" implored Mildred, tre-
mulously suddenly growing very pale.
Then, hearing the sound of approach
ing footsteps, she asked him hurried
ly-"Are you getting stronger now
really better? | should like to hear
that from yourself"
Would your" he said, looking
pleased and radiant, and possessing
himself of one Of the small slender
hands that fell at her side. do you
really care TO know? Have you any
interest at all in me? Say you will
come and see me. then, here tomorrow
at this hour. Think how lonely It is
10 lie still all day" He pressed her
hand entreatingly and kissed it.