Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-09-06

81 feel shall never progress toward
recovery so long as you compel me 70
remain in this room.
"And where, may ask, do you
want to go?" demanded DR.. StubDer,
irritably.
He had grown wonderfully fond OF
mis- patient during the past few weeks,
and could not bear to deny him any
thing but what was impossible.
.sTo the library" said Denzil; they
can wheel the sofa I'D to the fire. and
promise you faithfully / will not try
to walk. Give me your permission.
and then my mother and Lady Caro-
line can say nothing. want to go
down tomorrow"
well, 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
Denzii so Unexpectedly alone, she hes
5tated 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 a reality,
hut merely in the light Of a happy
dream.
Il 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. "Ysu are the
only one of all the household who
never came near me during my ILL
ness
Mildred glanced at him suspiciously.
Had he really forgotten all about it?
His face was supremely innocent, and
she drew deep breath of relief, which
yet was mingled with little pain that
Z he should so entirely have let her visit
slip his memory.
'sYou had so many to see after you
was scarcely wanted" she said; "and
oyI 1,no n1 re- Nf
your we'll being
'Still you might have come. if only
for few minutes" he persisted. Not
that expected you would. There was
no reason why you. of all people,
should trouble yourself about me-"
sIf I had thought you wished me
Mildred" he exclaimed. angTily;
and then she ceased speaking alto
gether, knowing she had vexed him by
the open hypocrisy of her last remark.
.'If she had thought! when she
knew, in her limos. heart, how he had
been waiting, hoping. longing for some
sign OF her presence.
$50 you have broken off your en-
gagemem with LYNDON" he said,
presently. regarding her attentively.
tsYes," she answered. quietly; cor,
rather. he broke it off with me-"
HHe!" repeated Denzil, with amaze
ment 'tThen it was his doing-not
yours? How could that be-" Then.
jealously-"And you would perhaps
have wished it to continue? You
have been unhappy and miserable ever
since?"
'I have not been unhappy exactly.
or miserable: but I certainly would
not have been the one to end it."
t.What was the reason?" he asked,
unthinkly; then-"I beg your pardon.
OF course should not have asked
that"
turned she, calmly. "Perhaps"-with a
little bitter 1augh-"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, think
"Will you never forget that said
that?'' Denzil's voice was full Of pain
as he spoke "You know I did not
mean it. How could I, when I think
you far above all women? You know
what I think OF you--how have loved
you and always shall love you until
my death
''Oh, hush!" impiored Mildred, ire
mulously, suddenly growing very pale.
TAen, 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 you?" 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