The Delta independent., 1901-05-24
CHAPTER V.


failing of Eddie's about which she had
hitherto been ignorant. 1t came to her
knowledge in this wise: One hunting
morning during the chilly early break
fast, at which she always presided, her
father having prejudice in favor of
the coffee administered by her fair
hands, it SO happened that the post ar
rived rather more than twenty min
utes before the usual hour. and conse-
quently the various letters were hand
ed to the assembled men to peruse at
their pleasure, while getting through
the agreeable task OF devouring cold
game-pie.
Two for you," said Sir George. and
he flung Eddie brace Of missives that
fell little short of his coffee-cup, and
lay with the black sides turned uper-
most. One had a large square envel-
ope. and a crimson splashing crest and
coronet, singularly unfeminine. which
attracted general attention for a mo-
ment
Mildred. idly toying with teaspoon.
looked up a minute later and noticed
that the lads face had grown wonder
fully dull and pale for him. and that
he was staring at the now open letter
with a panied gravity unusual in his
case.
Has she bowled you out. Trevan-
ion?" asked young Cairns, with a gay,
thoughtless laugh. from the far end OF
the table. where he sat near two
other men Of his regiment staying at
Kings Abbott for few days hunting.
Regularly knocked over. eh? You
look like it."
Not quite SO bad as that" Eddie
answered, the detected expression dis
appearing altogether from his counte-
nance with such rapidity that Miss
Trevanion. still watching. concluded
her fears had been groundless and dis
missed the incident, as meaning moth
ing. from her mind.
Later on, toward the evening. how
ever. wandering leisurely upstairs to
dress for dinner. and having occasion
to pass through the picture gallery.
beyond which lay many of the bed
rooms. her own amongst the number.
she beheld Eddie at distan: window.
his head pressed against the painted
glass. his entire attitude suggestive of
despair. Even as she looked there
arose before her a vision of broken
bread and half-cut pasties. with much
plate and china. and a gaudily-crestsd
envelope lying in their midst
She went up to him and laid her
head upon his shoulder.
Anything the natter" she asked.
lightly enough. not anticipating any
real trouble.
He turned and faced her, thereby
displaying a countenance betokening
anything but that inward peacefulness
commonly supposed to come from the
possession of quiet conscience.
why. Eddie" Miss Trevanion ex-
claimed, what is 1t? What has hap
pened? Why are you standing here
alone?"
Nothing has happened" returned
Eddie. in voice that perfectly suited
his face. and SO was lugubrious In the
extreme: after which he most un-
gratefully turned his back to her
Surely you will tell me-" she ex-
postulated. "It can be nothing so
dreadful as your manner seems to i'm
ply. Come. Eddie. speak to me; per-
haps-who knows?-I shall be able to
help you
Nobody can help me-" said Eddie.
Nonsense! 1t isn't like you to be
so down-hearted-is It? and l can
SO let me try with you. You will con-
fide in me, dearest. will you not! In
deed cannot be happy while you look
so miserable"
Just So" broke out Eddie at last.
with the reckless scorn people gener-
ally indulge in when conversing with
their best friends-that is when their
best friends have succeeded in driving
them into a corner-"and of course
you will have no difficulty in putting
your hand in your pocket now this
moment and giving me three hundred
pounds on the spot"
"Oh. Eddie, what is 1t you mean?"
Miss Trevanion asked, now thoroughly
frightened, ready money being an
tainment in the Trevanion household.
and Sir Georges private affairs and
general ''hard-uppishness" being well
known to the elder members OF the
family.
II mean that have been gambling
and have lost three hundred pounds"
Eddie said.
And then Miss Trevanion felt that
the trouble was very real trouble,
indeed. She could not speak to him
for a moment, and SO kept silence.
Presently he spoke again.
"There is nothing to be done. Mil
dred. that can see." he went on
nothing have no means Of paying
this money. and SC suppose the soon
er l proclaim myself blackguard and
get out of the country the better for
YOU ALL"