Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-11-14
CHAPTER XVI

80 0ouOC as W Cu0 lSSuG-a kGGDer
pang was added to mis- sufferings.
CHAPTER XVI.
Inc teuartermaster went home at a
smart trot, full of the discovery that he
had made.
Directly he entered the room where
MRS. Knox was seated, as usual, before
her sewing machine, she OWNED that he
had something to tell her, and attacked
MN at once with question as to where
he had been.
He hesitated for moment, feeling the
Iull Importance of the revelation he had
to make.
Il have been to see the Colonel" he
answered, slowly.
what about?'
Il 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 take such senseless step?" she ex-
claimed, in her establishment, forgetting
to be angry. And then, as he remained
silent, she went on: Besides, I am by
no means certain that that engagement
still holds good. Jane has never even
1ASiAIAOhCu LIS ldNlG Slice ucr return
from Cawnpore, and / think there is
every reason to hope she repents her first
thoughtless promise"
mo, no, 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
geant again and renewed her promise; it
hxrh ov \ IL
Colonel"
without consulting me?" she gasped
out, when she had recovered herself sutfi-
GENTLY to speak.
But when the Quartermaster once as
serted himself he was not easily put
down, even by his wife.
Il had made up my mind to do as the
child wished me, wife, and so it would
have been useless discussion. You
would have contested the point, of course,
but had made up my mind"
"And now the whole affair will become
public" she complained, bitterly.
''Not necessarily. The Colonel himself
advised that we should keep it quiet as
long as possible
ly, in a voice that agitation had made
eyes, he was decidedly against it,
"Why-tell me why, John?"
II don't think you will believe me when
I do tell you
"Why-why?" she repeated.
Because he is himself in love with our
Jane"
Had a thunderbolt fallen at her feet
she could not have been more surprised.
''Does she know" was her first ques-
ton.
81 don't suppose she does,'' answered
the simple-minded Quartermaster, ''for I
he would have told me when we were on
the subject
''You ought to insist upon her being SEN
sible in so important NATTER" said Mrs.
Knox, eagerly.
eff you can't manage her, Mary, how
should II" smiling. Besides, think she
is right to hold to her word, though I
know she might do better"
Better! Why, it would be a brilliant
match, John"
ssYou go too fast, wife-too fast. 1t is
not to be 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 few months,
and when he comes back will have for
gotten all about it. Even had she been
free don't suppose he would have con-
templated such an act. A man like our
Colonel is justified in looking high for his
wife"
s.He would never get a lovelier wife
than Jane nor one truer or sWeeter.
s.How inconsistent women are! Just
now you were complaining of her truth,
and now you praise her for it.
sIt is possible to carry thing to ex-
cess: then truth becomes obstinacy, re-
turned Mrs. Knox.
When. a little after five o'clock. she saw
Colonel Prinsep coming up the drive, she
resolved to do her best to persuade him to
range himself actively upon her side.
sMy husband was with you this morn
ing she began.
.Yes, he came to see me, ana talked
over some affairs"
.And / wish to speak to you also, Col
onel Prinsep.'
81 shall be very glad to hear what you
have to say, and to help you it can.
..Yon can help if you will,' meaningly.
ST would rather you doubted my power
than my anxiety to oblige, ne returned
smiling. ;,
..It IS about my daughter, Colonel.
"About Miss Knox" he repeated, as
she hesitated. :,
Then she went on, with emotion.
"You know all ] said to you the otner
day about Sergeant Lynn. Wen' ! say
# all still. but with greater warmth anu
with more hope of favorable reply, TOT
now I can confess what you a,reai ,.
know-that am pleading Tor my uausn-
-
ter : +han ). be
remarked. gravely. ,;,,
But you know It now anu ~ =