The Delta independent., 1901-05-24
CHAPTER 1v.-(Continued.)

Don't be alarmed, said the new
conner, Its only me. and not the long
expected come at last in the shape OF
the midnight marauder-l like my
grammar. don't you. Mildred? How are
you old boy? Glad to see you. Had no
idea l 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 1t to pass for
granted; but you need not accuse me
Of flirting SO soon, Charlie. 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
one always does feel the night warm
when there's girl on the balcony!
And So" glancing through the bright
red curtains that concealed the room.
you have been going in heavily for
society tonight. / can see Mrs. Dev-
erill, and a fat young man. and your
father. Younge. and my pretty Jane.
and Sir George eloquent on South
downs. and here. to excite my curl
osity. the end Of blue silk dress, and
there-I say, Mildred-come here. Who
Is the young person in tights?"
That's young Mason of the 10TH"
said Miss Trevanion. "and though he
doesn't intend 1t. his slothes always
seem 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.
II was only yesterday your mother was
complaining about the short leaves OF
absence you get, and your coming now
30 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 n gray tweed. Mildred. l will
bid you fond goodnight. and be Wis
ible again some time tomorrow. when
you have gently broken the news Of
my arrival. Is my old room appropri-
ated by anyone, Can have 1t!
Never mind your room yet" said
Mildred. do you think can let you 20
again 80 easily? No. come in this
moment when I desire you. and show
yourself to the company in general.
I would not miss mammals look OF sur
prise and delight for anything; SO
must insist on your obeying me-and.
Come. darling-do."
We'll. on your head be 1t. II 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 a 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 astonishment 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 well? You
cannot think how happy II makes a
fellow to be heartily welcomed after
long absence. as l have been welcomed
by you"
Il cannot say how long or how short
your absence has BEEN" Frances re-
torted. "as l have had no means OF
remembering when 1t was when you
went"
Whose fault was that?" he said.
gently.
WAS II mine?" There was Just
suspicion Of tears under the long dark
lashes. Il don't think ever forbid
you to come and say good-by at Sly
verton. did IT,
mo, not exactly. perhaps: but there
are more ways Of forbidding than
those expressed in words. have a
dim recollection N fnint idea that