Hutchinson gazette., 1901-05-02


and advanced so rapidly toward the
chimney-pieCe that, until she was with
in foot Of him, she was not aware OF
his presence there, and acknowledged
her surprise by II sudden start and eN-
lamation Of alarm
81 beg your pardon" he said; u ala
not mean to frighten you"
Even as he spoke a wild determina-
tion TO know the worst from her own
lips without loss of time seized upon
him,
81 came for book" explained Mil
dred, hurredly, "Ah, here II Isl In
confusion hardly remembered where
had left It,"
Can you spare me few minutes"
asked Denzil, without giving himself
liberty to think further
Certainly" answered Mildred, In n
tone OF marked surprise, But do you
not think that another time would be
more convenient? You see"--glonclng
at the clock--"how late 1t Is? The
ball will commence In less than half
On hour and we shall not be ready"
81 will not detain YOU long he said
two or three minutes at the furthest,
Indeed, a few words will comprise all
that have to say. You must have
seen" -desperately-"you must know
for yourself"
Stay" cried Mildred fontly-"do
not go on. You have said enough
believe me"
ut Is too late now to stop me-" In
terrupted Denzil, passionately, 81
must go on and tell you the one
thought that occupies me day and
night. Reject me--despise me, If you
will, only hear me-"
TO this, although he waited as II in
expectation she made no answer Per-
hips, had she then once more forbid
den him, he might forever have held
his peace But she kept complete
silence.
They formed a curious picture,
standing there in the old-fashloned
dresses they had not had time to re-
move, Denzll in white satin breeches
and rich rulIles and carefully-powdered
hair, Miss Trevanion as ia Valllere, y
with her trailing embroidered satin
robe her fair hair also thinly pow
dered, and her soft white arms hall
barred.
Encouraged by her speechlessness
Denzil spoke again
81 love YOU" he said, simply, 81 am
only telling you what you have known
all along-'am not? And yet, even to
myself, when put into language, II
seems quite dfferent--the words sound
so poor and cold, Is It altogether hope
less, Mildred? Is there any chance
for me?
She had moved few steps backward
as he began speaking, and now stood
supporting herself by one hand resting
on the table, She had lowered her eyes
and fixed them on the ground, and APP
peared calm enough though she made
no response to his last appeal,
Give me my answer" he said.
you should not have gone on" she
observed at length, her tone low but
angry, 81 forbade you TO do so. 1t
was unfair to compel me to listen
when you knew | wished neither to
hear nor to understand.
Give me my answer" he said again.
what answer can give?" she
asked, with slight impatient move
ment of the hand near him, Better
would It be to ask for none, warned
you before, BE satisfied now, and leave
me-"
Give me my answer" he said for
the third time, sternly, 81 will take 1t
from your own lips now"
"Then, as you will have It," she
cried, losing all moderation, take
from my own lips No.
There was long pause. Denzil's
face was as white as death Miss Ire
vanlon's scarcely less so; while the
hand that lay upon the table appeared
bloodless from the intensity with
which she leaned upon it.
DO you say that because my father
earned his money by trade" asked
Denzil, slowly
ut cannot matter now" she an
swered, coldly
"Yes, 1t does" he went on, excitedly;
"and believe, from my heart, that
that is the reason. believe that, low
ing you as | do, | could in time have
made you return my love had not your
wretched pride stepped in to prevent
it, Or can II be true what have
heard said-that you would at any risk
willingly sell yourself to gain a title?
II could bring myself to think that
Of you-if that were possible Tell
me, Mildred-is it the truth"
81 do not understand YOU" said Mil
dred, haughtlly. 81 will listen to no
more Of your questioning, sir. Let me
pass"
1T is true, them" he exclaimed, pas
sionately, selling her hand to detan
her, You do not deny 1t! And you
will sacrifice yourself to obtain pos
session Of mere position? imagined
you incapable Of such a thing; but see
how mistaken we all are in the idols
we set up am thankful | was dis