The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1895-12-21
CHAPTER XVI

When their visitors were gone. Mrs.
Knox sunk down upon Il chair, and
famed herself vigorously.
What could have made him Gomez"
she sighed out at length, and though no
name was mentioned, Jane did not pre-
tend to doubt as to whom the pronOun re
ferred
perhaps it was what he saba sense
of duty" she answered, quietly. Yet.
though outwardly calm, a CLEAN in her
hazel eyes told of inward excit ement, and
her fingers were fidgeting nervously with
the silver buckle of her belt.
She wondered whether he had noticed
Mr. Blount's attention, and whether ii
were in her power 10 infict q pang upon
him by encouraging the same. She felt
hurt and sore, capable of doing or say
ing anything that would move his i'm
penetrable calm. 1t was so humiliating
to know that she loved him still, and
must love him always, while he had for
gotten quite
She had gone into the veranda to grow
cool, and so be alone. wandering round
TO the other side of the house, out of
sight of the drawing groom windows
Presently the sound of her own name
smote her ear, and turning she saw Ser
near Clump of trees.
Il want to speak to YOU" he said, in
low voice.
For a moment she hesitated and shrunk
back. The man was looking white and
haggard, and she did not feel equal to
the violent scene which his whole appear
ance and manner portended.
''You are afraid of me-" he remarked.
with bitterness.
This decided her. Her fathers Terai
hat lay on the chair, and snatching it up,
she crushed it on her bright hair and ran
quickly down the steps to join him.
Il did not know that you were back"
I'VE only marched in this morning,
and directly | could get away | came
here. l have been waiting more than
three hours on the chance of seeing YOU"
why did you not come to the house,"
with the Colonel. and the Adiutnnt
and Major Larron, salaming all the time
like native, to show you the great diff
ference there is between them and me?"
--scornfulIy
Jacob, Jacob. do not talk so wildly!
Il speak as | have felt. Surely that
need not shock you. Though you are as
far above me as the angels, you might
pity, instead Of shrinking from me- Re
member, what | am you have made me-"
You have no right" she faltered. look
ing up at him with Reconstruction eyes.
NO. | have no right. OF that your
father. rightly or wrongful don't pre-
tend to judge-deprived me, yet l never
thought that you would have stopped to
shield yourself behind his authority"
Nor did l. | know nothing of his in
tentions Jacob. you talk of pity. vet
You have no pity for me. Knowing how
l tried to be true, you need not reproach
me So
1T was the Colonel If he had not
come, you would have been my wife
now"
Perhaps. l never loved you"
You have told me that so often. l
wonder l do not give you hate for hate.
You have been my evil cenius Had it
not been for you l might be my own self.
instead of the miserable drunkard that
l am"
Yet, for your own sake. Jacob, if not
for mine, You might have striven against
such a terrible hahit. Father told me
that You had promised TO refrain, and l
was hoping
Hope nothing, Jenny; it is too late for
that now. whatever it might have been
then. | tried NJ first: for 4 whole month
l did not let drop pass my lips; then I
grew gloomy and diSpirited. l knew l
was only following will-o'- the-wisp,
that | had no real chance of winning
you. try as I might to be steady and sober.
If You would promise ME something def
mite, perhaps"
She recojled from him in dismay.
You don't mean to marry you?" she
cried.
Would You promise that if I asked
YOU
They had stor7cd beneath the trees.
and the sunlight, glintinE through the
branches. lighted M tho gay uniform of
the hussar, and fell upon his cookbook
ing face as he stood waiting for her TO
speak
oh. no. no. she murmu-ed, and hid
her face in her hands.
But he drew them gently down. look
inG sadly into her eyss.
Don't b, afraid, little Jenny. l was
not going to ask that. ] know l am not
worthy of You. that il would only be
dragging you down with me. Nothing
now can save me from drunkard's
end"
The tears were streaming down her
pretty face and her figure swayed rest
leSsly TO and fro in her agitation. for was
not this all her doing, her fault:
oh. Jacob. let nc help you-let me do