The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1892-06-11
CHAPTER VI.

In q few minutes after the snake Incl
dent. Janet was as bright as usual, but
John seemed cast down and troubled.
Janet noticed this and rallied him on
it. 'Why, John, you look as troubled as
if the snake had bitten me-.
81 am troubled at the careless way in
which you expose yourself and brogan
boots are not always at hand for such
emergencies"
'Well, you know it is very dull here,
and real live. adventure is something
to boast of"
"Perhaps you think so, but others do
not. and adventures of this kind do not
leave behind very pleasant memories tor
most people, and then just think OF the
terrible consequences if anything should
befall you.''
~ rather imagine the terrible conse-
quences would be confined to me, alrlly
responded Janet. John looked very grave
as he answered:
"You are cruelty unjust in making
that speech. You very we'll know that
you are the idol Of the whole place, and
that harm to you would be as a dagger
planted in every one OF our hearts, and
such talk is both unkind and unjust"
''John Hewson, you have turned into
regular scold; but that is the way with
some people. Let them do you little
service, and, bif! they feel entitled to
lecture you forever and day after
wards This was said in very petu-
liant Tone John had been standing
quietly, during this skirmishing, but
now he faced around with flashing eye
and compressed lips, with his whole soul
aroused. ''That is not true, Janet
Gregory, and you know it. Have men
toned any service that ever did you?
Have not been at your beck and call
for years? Have ever asked anything in
return? love you better than my own
life. have studied hard to get knowl-
edge that / might get nearer to you.
have toiled to get money that might
get nearer to you; the one thought in
my mind, the one affection Of my heart,
has been you. could humble myself
in the dust for your love, for even a
slight return of my unbounded love, and
because l show little anxiety about
your personal safety you turn on me
with petulance and sarcastic speech"
During the delivery of this speech,
Janet's face was a curious study; for
moment she seemed startled and even
frightened at Johns unwonted vehe-
mence, but the next moment she was up
in arms. Pride, resentment, vexation,
amusement, scorn. all followed in rapid
succession; by the time John was done
speaking, the spoiled beauty was ready.
''Who gave you any right to set your
self up as my lover? You forget yourself,
when you talk about love in connection
with daughter of Col. Henry Gregory.
You, nobody that he picked up tramp
ing along the road, and because you
have been admitted to privileges be-
yond your station, you do like all these
common people, imagine yourself equal
to your betters."
With the first cutting sentence the
young mans head dropped, and, at the
closing words, without a word or look,
he turned and walked YEARLY away.
AS Janet looked after his retreating fig.
ure, vivid impression came to her that
she had cruelty hurt strong man, and
many a time in after life did her mental
vision recall the picture; but she was
not ready to repent yet, though she
knew in her heart that she had said
more than she intended.
Janet was not of cruel disposition,
only foolishly proud. She rode home,
and straightway told the whole story to
her mother, who was very much
troubled about it, as she had a sincere
regard for the young man, and did not
care to have his feelings wounded even
though she might not care to have him
as son-in-law. AS John did not ap-
pear at the supper table, and no one
knew anything about him, the colonel
sent one Of the servants to his room,
who reported him absent. Whereat, the
colonel, supposing him belated some
where in ranging after stock, was CO.
ing ahead contentedly with his supper
when happening to look up he noticed
the troubled look on his wife's face, and
her glance of reproach at Janet. He at
once OWNED that something was
wrong, but, prudent man that he was,
waited until supper was over, when
calling his wife into his den he gave
her seat, took one himself. and said.
resignedly:
LET us hear it all, wife. see there
is trouble and | suppose, as usual,
woman is at the bottom Of it," Mrs.
Gregory, without commenting on the
slur at her sex, recitcd the whole story.
Gregory, though a proud man, was also
just one, and he was quivering with
Indignation when his wife finished her
account. Saved her life, to be insulted
like dog, and calls herself my daugh-
ter! Where is the jade?''
mo, colonel said Mrs Gregory,
quietly but firmly, .'yon must not see
Janet tonight. You are aroused and she
IS already repenting; she has gone to
her room very much ashamed, and you
can 90 more good by hunting up John
and helping him"
The colonel was much distressed. He
had never before known how much he
had become attached to the quiet lad,
but it came to him now with full force,
as he said to his wife: ..Wife, we have
L 49, n .s