The Red Cloud chief., 1901-06-07
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
IL was late the same evening. and
Mildred sitting in her mothers room,
with one hand clasped in Lady Caro-
lines. was gazing idly into the fire,
seeming pale and detected in the req
light Of the flame. that ever and anon
blazed up and sunk. and almost died,
and frightened up again. Yet in her
heart there was a great well of thank
fulness. OF Joy unutterable--for had
not the doctor. fully an hour before,
declared Denzil out OF any immediate
danger?
Up to that moment Miss Trevanion
had remained in her own apartment,
not caring to encounter the gaze OF
curious observers-now walking fever
ishly backward and forward with un-
! spoken prayers within her breast. now
! sitting stunned and wretched, waiting
for the tidings she yet dreaded to hear
But. when Lady Caroline came to
tell her all was well for the present,
she could say nothing; she only fol-
| lowed her mother back to her own
room where she fell upon her knees
and cried as II her heart would break
Suddenly the door opened and SER
want stood revealed.
Lord Lyndon's compliments to
Miss Trevanion, and he would be glad
to see her for few minutes in the
north drawing room," he said, and lin
gered for reply.
II will be down directly" Mildred
answered tremulously. and when he
had withdrawn turned nervously to-
ward Lady Caroline. "Oh, mother"
she said, what can ! say to him?
What must he think of me?"
Have courage. my darling" whis-
pered Lady Caroline, land own the
truth-plain speaking is ever the best
and wisest. Afterward he will forgive
you. Remember how impatiently
shall be waiting here for your return"
"Of course he will understand that
IL Is now all over between us?" Mil
dred asked, half anxiously, as she
reached the door.
"Of course he will" said Lady Caro-
line, with suppressed sigh. How
could she help regretting this good
Nhihb lhot was away llohi hSi
daughter. Now go, and do not keep
him in suspense any longer"
So Mildred went; but as she passed
the threshold of the room that con-
tanned Lord Lyndon. sudden rush OF
memory almost overpowered her, car
rying her back. as 1t did, to that other
night. few short weeks ago. when
she had similarly stood, but in how
different a position in the sight of the
man now standing opposite to her.
Then she had come to offer him all
that was dearest to him on earth, now
she was come to deprive him OF that
: boon-was standing before him. judg-
ed and condemned as having given
away that which in nowise belonged
to her.
She scarcely dared to raise her head
but waited. shame-stricken, for hin
to accuse her with eyes bent sorrow
fully downward.
/ Il have very little to say to you,
said Lyndon hoarsely, in a voice tha
, was strange and cold, all the youth
, being gone out of IL, but I thought 1
better to get II over at once-to ent
A this farce that has been playing 81
long"
No answer from Miss Trevanion-
no movement-no sound even, beyon'
a slight catching OF the breath.
. why you should have treated m
= as you have is altogether beyond m.
y fathoming," he went on. Surely
u could never have deserved II at you
eknN lte
money few weeks ago, l littl
= thought II was accepted as the price
J. your affection. Affection! Nay, rathe
n liberation. Had | known II woul
lie have flung II into the sea before
X, should have SO degraded both yoursel
l. and me. Had you no compassion
no thought of the dreary future yo
a were so coldly planning out for
BOTH ever striving to gain lov
p. that was not to be gained-you pei
II, petually remembering past days thi
rs contained all the sweetness of yor
% life? There-it is of small use my r.
of preaching you now; the thing is don
an and cannot be undone. You have on
no acted as hundreds OF women have &C
m ed before you-ruined one mans hal
,,t piness completely, and very near
na wrecked another's, all for the want
I little honesty"
He made few steps forward,
-, though to pass her, but she arrest'
=. him by laying both her hands on b
'or arm.
not oh, Henry, forgive me" she e
~. claimed, with deep emotion. you ca
the not leave me like this. know ha
! Deeh bad, wicked, deceitful, in eve