The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-07-11

Mildred
* 6rebunion

BY THE VIC E S S
CHAPTER yIII.-(continued,

s then the door opened and Mil.
dred entered. She came in swiftly
and advanced so rapidly toward the
shimney-piece that, until she was with
IN a foot of him, she was not aware If
ais presence there, and acknowledged
her surprise by a sudden start and *
lamation of alarm.
Il beg your pardon" he said; 'Idid
not mean to brighten you.'
Even as he spoke a wild determine
lion to know the worst from her w
lips without loss of time seizei upon
him.
II came for a book" explained Mil
dred, hurriedly. "Ah, here It is! In
confusion | hardly remembered where
had left it,"
can you spare me a few m1nutes?"
asked Denzil. without giving himself
liberty to think further.
Certainly" answered Mildred, in a
tone of marked surprise. But do you
moi think that another time would be
more convenient? You see"-glancing
a at the clock-"how late it is? The
J pail will commence in less than half
an hour, and we shall not be ready"
L 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
Tor yourself"
Stay" cried Mildred, %faintly-'do
not go on! You have said enough
believe me"
1T 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-"
10 this, although he waited as if in
expectation, she made no answer. Per-
maps, 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-fashioned
dresses they had not had time to re-
move; Denzil in white satin breaches
n rich ruf1es n carefully-powdered
hair, Miss Trevanion as La VALERIE"
with her trailing embroidered satin
robe her fair hair also thinly pow
dered, n her soft white arms half
barred.
Encouraged by her speechlessness,
Denzil spoke again
Il love you," he said, simply. "I am
only telling you what you have known
all along-am l not? And yet, even to
myself, when put into language, it
seems quite different-the words sound
so poor and cold. Is it altogether hope
, less, Mildred? Is there any chance
for me?"
She had moved a few steps backward
as ne began speaking, and now stood
supporting herself by one hand resting
on table. She had lowered her eyes
and fixed them on the ground, and APP
Ipeared calm enough though she made
~PIesponse to his last appeal.
HGNyee me my answer" he said.
HonAshould not have gone on she
rved at length, her tone low but
Z. II forbade you to do so. 1t
unfair to compel me to listen
you knew l wished neither to
to understand.
e my answer" he said again.
WAT answer car 1 give?" she
asked, with a slight impatient move
ment of the hand near him. Better
would it be to ask for none. l warned
o before. Be satisfied now, and leave
me-"
Give me my answer" he said for
the third time, sternly. 81 will take it
from our own lips now"
Then, as you will have it," she
cried, losing all moderation, "take
from my own lips No."
There was a long pause. Denzil's
lace was as white as death. Miss Ire
Vanion's scarcely less so; while the
n that lay upon the table appeared
GODDESS from the intensity with
hich she leaned Upon it.
ID you say that because my father
earned his money by trader" asked
Denzil, slowly.
ut cannot matter now" she an
swered. coldly.
Eyes, it does" he went on, excitedly.
"and / believe, from my heart. that
that is the reason. l believe that, low
ng you as l do, l could in time have
pade o return my love had not your
FETCHED pride stepped in to prevent
Or can it be true what l have
ard said-that you would at any risk.
illingly sell yourself to gain a title?
If could bring myself to think that
Of you-if that were possible Tell
me, Mildred-is it the truth?"
II do not understand YOU" said Mil
dred, haughtily. 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 detain
her. you do not deny it! And you
will sacrifice yourself to obtain pos
session of a mere position? 1 imagined
you incapable of such a thing; but see
pow mistaken we all are in the idols
We set up! am thankful l was dis
gsiilusioned in time. l. am glad-yes,
glad-you have refused me-; as a wom-
an who could SO barter away her heart
Is not worthy to be the wife of any
honest man."
Mildred was trembling with anger.
"That will do" she said. you need
not say another word. If you were to
think forever, you could never saw