The Delta independent., 1901-06-14


gers from his clasp as she spoke. and
with the action small turquois brace
let fell to the ground. Involuntarily
Denzil stopped to pick 1t up, and. as
she held out her hand to repossess her
self of it, he slipped 1t round her arm
and fastened 1t there once more. Then,
a reckless feeling coming over him.
and the small white hand he loved
with such hopeless fondness being SO
well within his reach, he bent his head,
and pressed a tender, despairing, lin
gering kiss upon II. after which he
almost flung it from him and walked
away.
What sad. final farewell it seemed
to him! AS for Mildred. she made no
further sign, but left the room as
noiselessly as she had enteredit.
In the hall she encountered Mabel.
radiant and white-robed. who said:
"What-not yet dressed. Mildred?"
And Mildred answered. Il shall
be down presently" quite calmly, and
then went on to her room.
But, when the door was closed, and
securely fastened, an awful sense Of
desolation fell upon her. For the first
time in her life she felt what it was to
be alone. What had she done? What
was 1t she had thrown away forever
and ever? She sunk upon her knees
by her bed, and, burying her head In
the clothes, cried as II her heart would
break.
When Mildred came downstairs. the
ball was at its height. Denzil was
there. as calm as ever. and apparently
in excellent spirits. at the end OF the
room. conversing with her mother and
old Blount. He was laughing. but his
mirth was not overstrained, neither
was his manner In any wise different
from what II usually was; and. In
deed. only one intimately acquainted
with him would have noticed a certain
bright CLEAN and glitter in his eyes
which betokened feverishness. He did
not look toward the door. or in any
way falter In his conversation when
Mildred entered. Lady Caroline saw
her. however.
"Ah. there is Mildred at last" she
said. What a time the child has
taken to dress: and how white she
looks, I hope she has not been over
exciting herself"
"Tableaux are about the most ia
uguing things l know" said Denzil.
quietly. looking. not where Mildred
stood. while somebody was inscribing
his name upon her card. but straight
into Lady Caroline's eyes.
so they are" returned her ladyship
to Denzil. in all good faith; land Mil
dred is not too strong. Now that I see
Mildred" she went on a little later.
Il began to wonder where Mabel can
be. l have not noticed her amongst
the dancers since first she came in"
Here she elevated her glasses to take
an anxious maternal survey OF the
room. Mabel was nowhere in sight.
Where can she have gone to7" ex-
claimed her mother; and tust at that
moment her glance fell on the cur
tains that draped the window at the
lower end OF the apartment. They
were slightly parted, and through the
opening could be seen the balcony be-
yond. and on the balcony glimpse OF
white dress.
THAT must be Mabel" decided her
ladyship impatiently. How extreme
ly foolish OF her thus to expose her
self in a thin light dress to the win
terry air! Who is with her?'
MY nephew. fancy" said old
Blount.
Mabel is behaving most imprudent
ly." observed Lady Caroline with as
much austority In her tone as she was
capable Of "She will have half the
county talking OF her presently. and
there is old Lady Atherleigh at this
very instant with her spectacles on.
peering in their direction Mr.. Younge.
will you go and tell Mabel that l want
to speak to her directly
My dear Lady Caroline" returned
Denzil, ''it goes to my heart to refuse
you anything. even the smallest trifie;
but Just consider what you have asked
me to do. Were to interfere as you
wish me. should call down SO many
secret bad wishes and indignant looks
upon my head that have no doubt in
the world the consequences would be
fatal"
He laughed pleasantly as he spoke:
but old Blount. who had been listening.
did not laugh at all. keeping prema-
turely grave.
MY dear madam" he said. why in
terfere at all? The lad Is good lad
and handsome lad. and will como in
for all have when am gone. Let
them alone"
So Mabel and Roy were let alone to
follow their own devices. and conse-
quently enjoyed their evening to the
utmost.
Miss Syiverton. having danced seven
times consecutively with Charles Tre-
vanion. was feeling perfectly content
ed and at peace with herself and all
| the rest OF the world: while Mildred