The Red Cloud chief., 1901-03-29

OF black and gold. scarcely improved
Miss James homely appearance this
evening, as. with her calm. self-pos-
sessed manner. she sailed down the
long drawing room to receive her par
ents' guests.
Then she was introduced to Lord |
Lyndon, and executed u little half-bow
for his especial beneHt. which had the
effect OF reducing that amiable young
nobleman to hopeless state OF imbe-
| cility for the ensuing Ave minutes. Az
ter that time had elapsed he gradually
recovered his wonted composure. and.
summoning back his departed pluck,
took to staring at Miss Trevanion
every alternate Ave seconds, with such
unmistakable 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 Il told me you preferred
r great wealth OF golden hair?'" she
= rejoined, mischievously, while she
laughed good 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
u, 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"
i Whereupon DenIil 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 habitua
"a coldness, and laughed and sparkled
q and dazzled her companion. until Den
"a zil--watching from the other end o
r. the table-felt his heart ache oppres
lv sively, and dull sense OF the empt
re ness of things In general creep owe
- him.
n Perhaps, had she vouchsafed hi
as even one gracious glance, even on
m smile. not at him, but
he his direction, II would hay
dulled the pain. but her eyes sedulonsl
ur avoided that side of the room, whi
III she coquetted with and charmed ht
es new admirer with an assiduity ths
AS made Frances Sylverton fairly wonde
O. Once only, before she left the apar
IS ment, did Denzil meet her glance. an
- then but for an instant. as he held tt
We door open for the ladies to pas
through. Mildred, who happened to
ed last, having caught her light dress
Ill a slightly projecting corner OF I'll
wainscoating, he stopped to releas
'o her. and as he rose again, their ey'
,s' met.
q, In hers lay nothing but mute, col
20 thanks; while In his-whatever 1t WI
no she saw in his 1t caused Miss Treval
n ion to bow hurriedly and move aws
ve down the long hall, after the other
with Quickened, petulant steps.
Mildred, darling, how pale y,
look!" Lady Caroline said, anxiousl
lp- as she Joined the ladies In the drawn
ay room. Are you cold, child. or i'll
he Come over there to the fire and wal
cir yourself. These sudden chills are We
vn. dangerous"
ost But Miss Trevanion would Meth
ace acknowledge to cold or go near I
pleasant, inviting blaze, choosing rat
ei- er to wander away vaguely toward
'rs' distant. heavily curtained windo
hu' where she hid herself from the watC
u" full, reading eyes of Rachael Youn
Outside the window ran a balcoI
-, ~" cleaning marble white in the brllia
moonshine 1t looked SO soft, so swe
,Iy 80 lOHely, 'h'e
had changed from palest white
or, warmest crimson. felt a sudden inter
nan longing TO pass out and bathe i
res flushed face In the cool pure light.
tho With noiseless touch she push
was open the yielding sash, and found h
for self part OF the silent, star-lit mig
cen with a faint wind tanning her and
hey deadness OF sleeping nature all arou
ion A tall, slight, dark-robed figure.
hile stood with one hand-scarcely Il
ned white than the rays that covered i
resting on the balustrade, her e!
lost wandering restlessly over the shade
llar landscape. A perfect queen OF Mi
ills, she seemed. or very fitting Juliet.
b in there but been a Romeo.
line Presently, with steady, eager ste
heir came DenziI Younge toward her,
that. took up his position by her side.
lend Dreaming. Miss Trevanion?"