The Delta independent., 1901-07-26


In but few minutes time after the
accident Mildred was beside Denz.l,
and down upon her knees. her horse
idly wandering away. She stopped
and placed her hand upon his heart,
but failed to detect the faintest beat.
She drew her fingers across his fore
head-cold and damp with the chilling
wintry wind-but to her it seemed
touched by the cold hand of Death.
A terrible feeling took possession OF
her. Was he dead? Was he speech
less, deaf, blind, beyond love, life,
hope, for evermore?
Lifting his head onto her lap and
pushing back the hair from his beau
tiful forehead, she murmured to him
tenderly, almost reproachfully, half
believing the cruel voice he had loved
SO we'll on earth would recall him even
from the grave. But there was no an
swer.
She looked up wildly. Would nobody
ever come? How long they were
how long! And, when they did come.
would it, perchance, be only to tell
her that help was needless-that he
was indeed dead. as he appeared
lifeless within her very arms.
oh, to speak with him once more.
If only for moment-just for SO long
as 1t would take to let him know how
we'll she loved him, and to beg on her
knees for his forgiveness!
Why did he lie SO silent at her feet?
Surely that calm, half smile had no
sympathy with death. Was she never
TO hear his voice again-never to sec
the loving tenderness that grew in his
eyes for her alone?
Was all the world dead or insensl-
BILE that none would come to her call,
while perhaps each precious moment
was stealing another chance from his
life? This thought was maddening;
she glanced all round her. but as yet
NO one was in sight. And then she
began to cry and wiring her hands.
"Denzil, speak to mel" she sobbed.
"penzil-darling-darling!"
Lord Lyndon, shortly after the acci-
dent had occurred. turning round in his
saddle to discover whether Miss Tre-
vanion was coming up with them. and
not seeing her. raised himself in his
stirrups to survey the ground behind.
and beheld two horses riderless, and
something he could not discern clearly
upon the grass.
"Sir George. look!" he called to his
companion. What is it-what has
happened? Can you see Mildred?
He waited for nothing more. but
putting spurs to the astonished animal
under him, rode furiously back, leav-
ing Sir George to follow him almost
as swiftly.
And this was what they saw.
Lying apparently lifeless, with one
arm twisted under him. In that horri-
BILE. formless way broken limb will
sometimes take, lay Denxil Younse,
with Miss Trevanion holding his head
upon her lap and smoothing back his
hair, while she moaned over him words
and entreaties that made Lyndon's
heart grow cold.
Mildred" he cried sharply. putting
his hand on her arm with the inten-
ton of raising her from the ground;
but she shook him OF roughly.
Let me Alone" she said: what have
you to do with US? loved him. Oh.
Denzil, my darling speak to me-speak
to me-"
L. NJ thta 1v
Lyndon asked hoarsely. "Trevanion.
you should know"
Sir George, who was bending over
the PROSTATE man, raised his eyes for
moment.
II suppose, al she says 1t, 1t is true. -
he answered simply. But ! give you
my word Of honor as a gentleman.
was unaware Of 1t. All know II that
she refused him long before you pro-
posed for her-for what reason I am
as ignorant as yourself. 1t has been
her own secret from first to last"
As Sir George spoke. Mildred looked
up for the first time.
"Is he dead?" she asked with terri
BILE calmness.
mo, mol hope not; broken arm
seldom kills." answered her father.
hurriedly. drawing the broken limb
from beneath the wounded man with
great gentleness. Lyndon. the bran
dy."
Lyndon, who was almost as white as
Denzil at the moment. resolutely put
ting his own grievances behind him
for the time being, knelt down beside
Sir George, and, giving him his flask
began to help in the task Of resusci-
tation.
How will 1t be-? he asked in a
whisper.
II cannot TELL" answered Sir George;
I'VE can only hope for the best. But
l don't like the look on the poor lads
face. have seen such look before.
Do you remember little Polly Stuart Of