The Delta independent., 1901-05-17


Miss Trevanion, in a demi-toilette
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 little half-bow
for his especial BENEFIT which had the
effect of reducing that amiable young
nobleman to hopeless state Of imbe-
cility for the ensuing hve 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 five 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 1t told me you preferred
great wealth OF golden hair?'" she
rejoined, mischievously. while she
laughed good-naturedly enough. albeit
slightly mockingly, as Denzil colored
! and flashed a glance at her. half
earnest. half reproachful. from his
beautiful dark-blue eyes.
Never mind" she whispered. laying
her hand with a gentle pressure on his
arm as he took her In to dinner
never mind: / am your friend, you
know-so trust me-
Whereupon Denzil returned the pres
sure very gratefully indeed: after
which these two felt that they had
sworn a bond of mutual good fellow
ship.
All through dinner Lyndon devoted
himself exclusively to Miss Trevanion.
while she-from what motive was a
mystery-came out from her habitual
coldness. and laughed and sparkled.
and daxzled her companion. until Den
xil-watching from the other end OF
the table-felt his heart ache oppres-
siveiy. and q dull sense OF the empti-
ness of things In general creep over
him.
Perhaps. had she vouchsafed him
even one gracious glance, even one
smile, not at him. but in
his direction. II would have
dulled the pain. but her eyes sedulously
avoided that side OF the room. while
she coQuetted with and charmed her
new admirer with an assiduity that
made Frances Sylverton fairly wonder
Once only, before she left the apart
ment. did Denzil meet her glance. and
then but for an instant, as he held the
door open for the ladies to pass
through. Mildred, who happened to be
last. having caught her light dress in
n slightly projecting corner of the
wainscoating. he stopped to release
her. and ms he rose again. their eyes
met.
In hers lay nothing but mute. cold
thanks: while in his-whatever It was
she saw In his. 1t caused Miss Trevan-
ion to bow hurriedly and move away
down the long hall. after the others.
with quickened. petulant steps.
Mildred. darling. how pale you
look!' Lady Caroline said. anxiously.
as she Joined the ladies In the drawing
room. Are you cold. child, or ill?"
Come over there to the fire and warm
yourself. These sudden chills are very
dangerous"
But Miss Trevanion would neither
acknowledge to cold or 20 near the
pleasant, inviting blaze, choosing rath-
er to wander away vaguely toward n
distant. heavily curtained window.
where she hid herself from the watch
ful, reading eyes OF Rachael Younge.
Outside the window ran a balcony,
cleaning marble white in the brilliant
moonshine. II looked 80 soft. so sweet,
so lonely. that Mildred. whose cheeks
had changed from palest white to
warmest crimson, felt sudden intense
longing to pass out and bathe her
flushed face in the cool pure light.
With noiseless touch she pushed
open the yielding sash. and found her
self part OF the silent. star-lit night.
with faint wind tanning her and the
deadness Of sleeping nature all around.
A tall. slight. dark-robed figure. she
stood with one hand-scarcely less
white than the rays that covered it
resting on the balustrade. her eyes
wandering restlessly over the shadowy
landscape, A perfect queen OF night
she seemed, or very fitting Juliet. had
there but been a Romeo.
Presently. with steady. eager steps.
came Denxil Younge toward her. and
took up his position by her side,