The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-11-07
XVI.

NAA'A bSie
Thu Qu~artermaStpr went home al a
smart trot. full of the discovery that he
had made.
Directly he entered the nom where
Mrs. Knox was seated, as usual. before
her sewing machine. she OWNED that he
had something to tell her, and attacked
him at once with a question as to where
he had been.
He hesitated for n moment, feeling the
full importance Of the revelation nc had
to make.
II have been to sec the Colonel" he
answered, slowly.
What about?"
II went" continued her husband. in
the same slow, impressive tones--"I went
To tell the Colonel of James engagement
to Jacob Lynn"
What on earth possessed you, John.
to lake such a senseiess step?" she ex-
claimed, in her astonishment, forgetting
To he angry. And then, as he remained
silent, she went on: Besides, / am by
no means certain that that engagement
still holds good. Jane has never even
mentioned his name since her return
from CawnpOre, and ] think there is
every reason to hope she repents her first
thoughtless promise"
mo. 40. wife, you are quite mistaken
he answered, kindly, feeling sorry for her
disappointment, and understanding how
it would vex her the more when she heard
all the truth. Jenny has seen the Ser
geirnt again and renewed her promise; il
was by her request | went and told the
Colonel"
hnnt 49, ~ L.. ---1
out, when she had recovered herself suif-
ciently To speak.
But when the QuarteImaster once as
serted himself he was not easily pur
down, even by his wife.
Il had made up my mind to do as the
child wished me-, wife, and 40 il would
have been a useless discussion. You
would have contested the point, of course,
had made up my mind"
And now the whole affair win become
public she complained, bitterly.
Not necessarily. The Colonel himself
advised that we shoult keep it quiet rs
long as possible"
WAS he against it," abe asked quick
ly, in a voice that agitation had made
more than unusually sharp.
Yes. he was decidedly against it."
wv hy-teil ME why, john"
Il don't think You will believe me when
] do tell you"
"Why-whyF" she repeated.
because he is himself in love with onr
Jane"
Had a thunderbolt fallen at her feet
could not have been more surprised.
Does she know was her first aues-
ton.
Il don't suppose she does" answered
the supplemented Qu~artcrmaSter, "for |
think, if he had anything To say to her,
he would have told me when we were on
tle subject"
You ought to insist upon her being sen
>ible in SO Important a matter" said Mrs.
NnoX. eagerly.
If you can't manage her. Mary, how
should II" smiling. Besides, l think she
uS right TO hold to her word. though [
she might do better"
Better. Why, it would be II brilliant !
Joln."
You go too fast, wife-too fast. Ii il
to he supposed that, because the Col
onel is in love with Jane, he is therefore
prepared to ask her hand in marriage.
No. no; he'll go away for a few months,
and when he comes back will have for
all about it.. Even had she been
free | don't suppose he would have con !
templated such an act. A man like our
is justified in booking high for his
lie would never get a ~lovelier wife
Jane. nor one trucr or sweeter."
"How Inconsistent wonen are, JUS,
you were complaining of her truth,