The Leon reporter., 1901-06-13

look to staring at Miss Trevanion
every alternate five seconds, with such
unm1stakable admiration in his eyes
as caused Denzil Younge In the back
ground to utter curses not loud, but
deep.
Miss Trevanion was smiling very
sweetly at the new arrival-far more
sweetly than she had ever smiled at
him-Denzil; and he,-the newcomer
was evidently enjoying to the full the
commonplace conversation he was
holding with her.
Seeing this. Denzil fairly gnashed his
teeth with excess OF jealousy, and con-
signed this harmless young lord to all
sorts Of dreadful places, while telling
Miss Sylverton, with his tenderest
smile, how dear to his heart was a
crimson rose in masses of fair brown
hair.
Who was it told me you preferred
great wealth of golden hair?" she
rejoined, mischievously, while she
laughed good-naturedly enough, albeit
slightly mockingly, as Denzil colored
and flashed glance at her, half
earnest, half reproachful, from his
beautiful dark-blue eyes.
Never mind" she whispered, laying
her hand with gentle pressure on his
arm as he took her in to dinner
never mind; am your friend. you
know-so trust me-"
Whereupon Denzil returned the pres
sure very gratefully indeed; after
which these two felt that they had
sworn bond of mutual good fellow
ship.
All through dinner Lyndon devoted
himself exclusively to Miss Trevanion,
while she-from what motive was
mystery-came out from her habitual
coldness, and laughed and sparkled,
and dazzled her companion, until Den
watching from the other end of
the table-felt his heart ache oppres
sively, and dull sense of the empti-
ness of things in general creep over
him.
Perhaps, had she vouchsafed him
even one gracious glance, even one
smile, not at him, but in
his direction, it would have
dulled the pain, but her eyes sedulously
avoided that side of the room, while
she coquetted with and charmed her
new admirer with an assiduity that
made Frances Sylverton fairly wonder.
Once only, before she left the apart
ment, did Denzil meet her glance, and
then but for an instant, as he held the
door open for the ladies to pass
through. Mildred, who happened to be
last, having caught her light dress in
a slightly projecting corner of the
wainscoating, he stopped to release
her, and as he rose again, their eyes
met.
In hers lay nothing but mute, cold
thanks; while in his-whatever it was
she saw in his, it caused Miss Trevan-
ion to bow hurriedly and move away
down the long hall, after the others.
with quickened, petulant steps.
Mildred. darling, how pale you
look!" Lady Caroline said, anxiously.
as she Joined the ladies in the drawing
room. Are you cold, child, or ill?"
Come over there to the fire and warm
yourself. These sudden chills are yery
dangerous"
But Miss Trevanion would neither
acknowledge to cold or go near the
pleasant, inviting blaze, choosing rath-
er to wander away vaguely toward a
distant, heavily curtained window
where she hid herself from the watch
full, reading eyes of Rachael Younge.
Outside the window ran a balcony
cleaning marble white in the brilliant
moonshine. 1t looked so soft, SO sweet,
so lonely, that Mildred, whose cheeks
had changed from palest white to
warmest crimson, felt sudden intense
longing to pass out and bathe her
flushed face in the cool pure light.
With noiseless touch she pushed
open the yielding sash, and found her.
self part of the silent, star-lit night,
with faint wind tanning her and the
deadness of sleeping nature all around.
A tall, slight, dark-robed figure, she
stood with one handsomely less
white than the rays that covered it
resting on the balustrade, her eyes
wandering restlessly over the shadowy
landscape. A perfect queen of night
she seemed, or very fitting Juliet, had
there but been a Romeo.
Presently, with steady, eager steps,
came Denzil Younge toward her, and
took up his position by her side.
Dreaming, Miss Trevanion?" he
said.
Mildred started peceptibly. Perhaps
her thoughts they we're
had been far away-perhaps too near.
Whichever it was, she reused herself
with visible effort before she answer
ed him.
almost" she said, although the
night is somewhat chilly for such ro-
mantle nonsense. However, you have
shown me my folly, SO there is little
danger of my repeating it. Shall we
return to the drawing-room?"
"In one moment" he answered, hur-
riedly; whereupon Miss Trevanion
turned back once more, and pausing
with wondering eyes, laid her hand
again on the balustrade.
Denzil appeared little pale-a little
nervous perhaps-in the moonlight,
but that was all; and his voice, when
he spoke, though low, was quite dis
tinct.
"Why will you not be friends with