Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-11-06
CHAPTER IV.-(Continued.)


ulousness of the whole affair at once!
Fancy my being jealous of the Colonel
Ha, ha, hat
At the sound of his rough merriment
Jane WINGED, and held up her hand
81 cannot bear any more now,' she ex-
claimed. in shrill voice that startled
herself as much it did him.
you are in paint"
"Yes, / am in pain" she answered,
truthfully, though just then she hae
no thought of her broken arm.
He took her hand in his to say good
by" Some idea had been in his mind
of a warmer farewell but he had never
kissed her yet, and the pale, proud face
she turned toward him was no encour
agement to begin. Then somewhat shame
facedly he withdrew.
The interview had not been a success
ful one, he felt. He had wounded her
and frightened her by the brusqueness
Of his ways and speech, and had won
from her no ratification of her former
promise. 1t struck him ruefully that he
must have lost the knack of wooing
pretty girl-that his tongue had forgotten
its ancient cunning.
His conclusions were correct. Jane
had thought him more boorish than she
had known him to be before, and more
than ever regretted that she had not lis
tened to her mothers warning.
CHAPTER V.
Mrs. Dene had been very constant In
her visits to Jane during her GONZALES
cence. independently of her desire to
crafty the Colonel by showing his pro-
tege any kindness in her power. she liked
the girl for her own sake. and was zeal
Gus for her social success.
You are SO pretty you are sure to
please" she told her candidly one day.
Don't you k"-hesitatingly-
II is rather vulgar to be prettyt'
"If so, it is vulgarity that many
would be glad to share"-laughing.
Very likely. but that does not alter the
fact. In England they say every milk
maid and fisher-girl you meet has "A trim
figure and pretty face Good looks are
only another name for good health. Now,
to be well educated-"
You are as we'll educated as many OF
the women who move in good society, and
you have very charming manners, which
you will find more useful still. What else
do you WANT"
Il wish / could dress a well as you"
complained Jane, who, like very wom
an, was inclined to set a high value upor
that branch of feminine industry.
She sat now smoothing down the folds
of her pale-blue gown, and pondering
what had been said; and as Mrs. Dene
watched her in some amusement, trying
to divine her thoughts, she saw her hands
meet suddenly in a tight clasp, and a
warm blush suhuse her face. Curious
as to who or what could have caused this
agitation, Mrs. Dene turned her head
sharply, and to her surprise saw Colonel
Prinsep standing in the veranda behind
her.
The Colonel met her unconsciously
scoruful glance with a defiant if some
what embarrassed gaze; but, though he
took her hand in greeting, he addressed
himself exclusively to Jane.
Il came to ask if you were better" hs
said.
"You are always so thoughtful" mur.
INJURED Mrs. Dene, with malicious sweet
ness.
Il am quite well now, thank you," an
swered uususpecting Jane.
She would have been aghast had she
known that the love of which she was
herself scarcely aware had been so cas-
fly discovered. As it was, she went on
talking so calmly that the Colonel felt
ashamed of his own want of self-posses-
sion, and exerted himself to join in the
conversation. But in spite of every effort
he felt disconnected still, and rose very
soon TO 90.
a little to his dismay, Mrs. Dcne ex
pressed her intention of accompanying
him.
Would II be troubling you too much
to drive me to my bungalow" she asked.
"My own carriage was not ordered until
seven o'clock, and l remember there 10
something must do
1T will give me the greatest pleasure,
be assured her, gravely.
Smiling her thanks, she kissed Jane af-
fectionately. and went out, while the Col
onel followed, nervously twitching his
mustachs.
That his suspicion was not entirely un-
Justified the lady's opening words seemed
to testify. for it is notorious that IN ap-
peal to ''auld lang syne' is generally the
preamble to something disagreeable.
I'VE have always been friends. have we
not, Colonel, Prinsep?" she began, as. set.
tied comfortably in his dog-cart, they
drove quickly toward her home.
Always, Mrs. Dene. / hope there is no
reason we should not remain SO STILL
of course not. But l want to take ad.
vantage OF our friendship to ask you
favor-the first"
''You may be sure l shall not refuse II
unless obliged" he said, politely.
Then don't frt with Jane Knox. 1t Is
not fair. She is SO young and inexpe-
rienced in society's ways, and yOu-l
can't pay you compliments to your face
she finished, laughing.
Indeed, have no thought of flirting"
But you may be drawn into it. Men
are so weak where a pretty girl is con-
cerncd. And you will not deny that she
is already evidently attracted by you"
You would think me dreadful cox.
comb if | admitted the soft impeach-
ment," he retorted, smiling.
Whether you admit 1t or not. 1t Is
fact. l think it was Enthusiastically writ
ten on her face to day"
And have you decided whether this
very patent affection is returnedF he
asked, rallying. partly to carry off a
certain sheepishness which all men feeel
on being told they have won womans
love.
Certainly not yet; and it is extremely
unlikely that You ever will. return II
ihat Is why l want you to keep away ano
let her get over this infatuation."s
They We're nearing her bungalow now,
and she drew her white shawl closes and
picked up her umbrella which had fs'eH
down.