The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-06-20
Mildred -
* 6repunfon
BY THE DUCHESS
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CHAPTER 1v.-(Continued.)

j Y w. rs ~ ~
CHAPTER Iv.-(Continued.)
Don't be alarmed" said the new
conner, it's only me, and not the long
expected come at last in the shape of
the midnight marauder'-I like my
grammar, don't you, Mildred? How are
you old boy? Glad to see you. Had no
idea / should first come upon you
.spooning with my sister in the moon
light but accidents will happen. Are
they all quite well. Milly?"
Quite WE'LL" Miss Trevanion an
,swered, feeling rather Disguised and
sore about the moonlight innuendo,
and Indignant that Denzil Should stand
there silent and allow it to pass for
granted; "but you need not accuse me
of flirting SO soon, Charlie. l am not
given that way, as you know, and Mr..
'Younge came out merely because he
felt the night warm"
Just So" said Charlie. "Odd how
zone always does feel the night warm
Ewhen there's a girl on the balcony!
And So" glancing through the bright
rid curtains that concealed the room,
you have been going in heavily for
society tonight. can see Mrs. Dew
eral and a fat young man, and your
iatAer, Younge, and my pretty Jane,
ANDY Sir George eloquent on South
Downs, and here, to excite my Curl
osity, the end of blue silk dress, and
.aere-I say, Mildred-come here. Who
Is the young person in tights?"
That's young Mason of the 10th"
ala Miss Trevanion, land though he
oesn't intend it, his slothes always
penn too small for him. The blue dress
YOU see belongs to Frances Slyver-
ton"
"Oh, does it," exclaimed Charlie,
turning away abruptly.
Come in and show yourself" sug-
gested Denzil. "You can't think how
awfully glad they will be to see you.
1t was only yesterday your mother was
complaining about the short leaves of
absence you get, and your coming now
so unexpectedly, will enhance your
value doubly."
my dear fellow, consider-I'm in
morning costume" protested Charles,
gayly. Would you have me throw
discredit on the house of my father?
Why, these Deverills are so nice they
would not know exactly how to treat
a fellow who could so far discard ap-
pearances as to turn up at half-past
nine in gray tweed Mildred, will
bid you fond goodnight, and be WIS.,
tble again some time tomorrow, when
you have gently broken the news of
my arrival. Is my old room appropri-
ated by anyone? Can 1 have it?
Never mind your room yet," said
Mildred, do you think can let you 20
again so easily? No, come in this
moment when l desire you, and show
yourself to the company in general.
I would not miss mammals look of sur
prise and delight for anything; so I
must insist on your obeying me-and,
besides, you look charming in gray.
Come, darling-do"
Well, on your head be it, if Mrs.
Deverill retires in confusion" Charles
murmured, and followed his sister
obediently into the warm, handsomely
furnished drawing-room.
Miss Sylverton, sitting just inside
the window. looked up with sudden
start as he passed her, and, crossing
the room to where his mother sat,
laid his hand lightly on her shoulder.
He was not handsome young man
was, in fact, the plainest Trevanion
of them all-but the action he used to-
ward his mother was full Of such ten
der, beautiful grace as might have
belonged to the most polished cour-
tier of the olden days.
Lady Caroline turned, and half
cried aloud in her intense surprise and
Joy. He was her eldest-born, the be-
loved Of her heart, and she welcomed
him accordingly; indeed, every one
seemed only too glad to see once more
Charles Trevanion's fair, sunburnt
face, and hear his honest, happy
voice. unless perhaps Miss Sylverton,
who, once her establishment at his sud-
den appearance was at an end, ap-
peared to lose all interest in his pres
ence, and went back to the rather one
sided Irritation she was holding with
'the man in tights"
How dye do, Miss Sylverton ?"
Charles said presently, and Frances
put her hand coldly into his. Have
you been getting on pretty we'll? You
cannot think how happy it makes a
fellow to be heartily welcomed after a
long absence, as have been welcomed
by you"
Il cannot say how long or how short
your absence has BEEN" Frances re-
torted, as I have had no means of
remembering when it was when Won
went"
Whose fault was that?" he said
gently.
"Was it mine?" There was just a
suspicion Of tears under the long dark
lashes. II dent think ever forbid
you to come and say good-by at Sly
verton, did II"
mo, not exactly, perhaps; but there
are more ways of forbidding than
those expressed in words. l have a
dim recollection. faint idea, that
somebody told me, a few months ago
that she hated me-
And dare say she will tell you so
again before she dies" returned Fran
ces, with little, low, happy laugh;
meantime am very, very glad in
deed, Charlie to see you home again."