The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-07-18
CHAPTER IX.-(continued. }

words crossed her lips than she dis
dained herself for the utterance of
them. and wished them back unsaid.
Ever since that fatal night in the Ii
brary Denzil and she had lived SEEM
ingly unseen and unheard by each
other, as distinctly remote as though
spheres had separated them, instead of
so many rooms or feet, as the case
might be. Now she felt that, by this
one rash, uncalledfor act, she had
done away with all the good SO many
silent days had helped to accomplish
Nevertheless, having once given her
word Mildred felt that she must abide
by it, and appeared at the breakfas.
table next morning, to all outward
seeming as imperturable as usual.
Eddie had also risen betimes to see
his friend depart, and rattle on in gal
liant style all through the dismal meal,
leaving no space fc. the other two to
express their opinions, had they been
so inclined. At length, footman en-
tering to announce the arrival of the
dog-cart at the hall door, Eddie rose
to see to Denzils further comforts, and
SO left him and Mildred at last alone
He came toward her, and, taking
both her hands, held them with a clasp
that amounted almost to pain.
Think of me kindly" he said, in a
low tone full of acute meaning.
II WILL" she said.
Is it quite hopeless, Mildred?"
"You will be late for your train"
murmured Miss Trevanion, very gent
ly.
So it fell out that Kings Abbott was
once more bereft of guests; and still
the Trevanions were unhappy, because
the very train that carried away
snugly ensconced among it's cushions
the unhappy Denzil, brought to Lady
Caroline letter. that filled her gentle
bosom with dire alarm.
I, The letter began, Mr. Dear Niece"
and ended "Your attached aunt Har-
riet Disney" its contents being to the
effect that Lady EXCEPTIONALLY Caro-
lines aunt by the fathers side-had
generously made up her mind to sacri-
fee her pleasures. inclination, habits,
y
bestowing her society upon her dear
niece" aforesaid. This was ineed a
heavy blow, her MISUNDERSTANDING at
tained the troublesome age of eighty
two-being one of those people whom
to entertain is kind of martyrdom.
AS misfortunes never come single, it
was just about this time also that Lady
Caroline heard for the first time of
Mildred's refusal of Denzil Younga The
girl had hitherto kept it nervous.y to
herself, thinking of it now and then
with mingled feelings of pain and
something akin to pleasure, but out
wardly suppressing all sign until this
day, when Lady Caroline timidly and
without preface touched on the subject
OF his evident admiration of her.
1T seems pity you could not care
for him, Mildred" she said, interroga-
lively, as though it were by no means
certainty that Mildred did not care
for him; I'VE should all like it so much,
and your father says"
Mildred rose hastily and threw down
her work, while two red spots appeared
on her cheeks.
Mamma" she said, perhaps 1t will
be better, and will put a stop to all
further mention of this matter, if |
tell you the truth. Mr. Younge did
propose to me, and I refused him.
She finished almost defiantly and
turned to leave the room.
Mildred, is it possible?" exclaimed
Lady Caroline.
oh, Milly!" cried Mabel, who was
also present, with lively reproach and
dMapproval in her tone.
Is it such crime then? Has moth
ing Of the kind ever been done be-
fore?" demanded, Mildred, passionate
~; and then she went out and left
them to their wonderings and censures
on her conduct.
When eventually Sir George was told
the unlucky news, it rendered him at
first furious, and then despairing
Things were becoming more embar-
raised and entangled day by day, the
immediate possession of large sum
of money being the only hope his law
yer could hold out to him of Ultimate.
~ saving the estate; and, as affairs
were, it would be difficult if not iua-
possible task to procure it. Denzil
with his immense wealth, was ca 81
his great love for Mildred, would have
Thought little of lending twice the
amount required But now all that was
CHANGED, and Mildred's had been the
hand to dash the hope aside.
Both he and Lady Caroline were
strangely distant and unsympathetic tt
her in these days; her father irritably
so, her mother with sort of mourn
full gravity that touched her far more
Lord Lyndon, who at this period
showed a tact and an adroitness thai
would have reflected honor on a clev.
erer man, managed to be perpetually
at her side. His attentions were oper
and unmistakable, while he declared
his Inability to withdraw from hel
presence even for time by the fac
Iof his taking shooting box quite Close
to Kings Abbott for the season.
All the little world of Cliston were
beginning to look upon it as settled
matter, there being no mistake as tt
whom his devotion was given, as ROY
lBlount's wooing, and Mabel's accept
lance of it, were very Transparent
things indeed; besides, just now, 'ths
queen" was too much taken up will
sorrowful misgivings and tender re
hections to admit of any division o