Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-12-04
CHAPTER XVI.

pans was added to his sufferings.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Quartermaster went home Mt b
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
him at once with a question as to where
he had been.
He hesitated for moment, feeling the
full 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.
10 take such n senseless step?" she ex.
claimed. in her astonishment, forgettina Z
To be angry. And then, as he remained
silent, she went on: BESIDES. l am by
no means certain that that engagement
still holds good. Jane has never even
mentioned his name since her return
from Cawnpore, and l think there 10
every reason to hope she repents her first
thoughtless promise"
"No, no, wife. you are quite mistaken -
ne answered, kindly, feeling sorry for her
disappointment, and understanding how
il would yeX her the more when she heard
all the truth. Jenny has seen the Ser.
geant again and renewed her promise; il
was by her request l went and told the
Colonel"
Without consulting me?" she gasped
ont, when she had recovered herself sutfi.
ciently to speak.
But when the Quartermaster once as,
serted himself he was not easily pu,
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 n useless discussion. You
but l had made up my mind"
''And now the whole affair will become
public" she complained, bitterly.
mot necessarily. The Colonel himself
advised that we should keep it quiet rs
long as possible"
"Was he against it," she asked quick,
ly, in a voice that agitation had made
more than unusually sharp.
"Yes. he was decidedly against it."
"Why-tell me why. John?"
81 don't think you will believe me when
1 do tell you."
"Why-why 2" she repeated.
Because he is himself in love with oul
Jane"
Had a thunderbolt fallen at her feet
she could not have been more surprised.
"Does she know?' was her first ques.
ton.
II don't suppose she does" answered
the simple-minded Quartermaster, "for
think, if he had anything to say to her
he would have told me when we were on
the subject"
.You ought to insist upon her being sen.
sible in so important matter" said Mrs.
Knox, eagerly.
IF you can't manage her, Mary, how
should IT, smiling. BESIDES think she
is right to hold to her word, though ]
know she might do better"
Better! Why, it would be a brilliant
match, John"
"You go too fast, wife-too fast 1t i.
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 a few months
and when he comes back will have for
gotten all about it. Even had she beer
free l don't suppose he would have con
templated such an act. A man like ouI
Colonel is justified in looking high for hi.
wife"
"He would never get n lovelier wife
than Jane, nor one truer or sweeter."
How inconsistent women are! JUS
now you were complaining of her truth
and now you praise her for it."
1T IL possible to carry a thing to ex
cess: then truth becomes obstinacy." re
turned Mrs. Knox.
When, little after five o'clock. she saw
Colonel Prinsep coming up the drive, sh,
resolved to do her best to persuade him t.
range himself actively upon her side.
'My husband was with you this morn
; ing" she began.
'Yes, he came to see me, and talked
over some affairs"
"And l wish to speak to you also, Col
onel Prinsep."
II shall be very glad to hear what yo,
have to say, and to help you If l can
"You can help If you WILL" meaningly
Il would rather you doubted my powe
! than my anxiety to Oblige," he returned
\ smiling.
1T is about my daughter, Colonel"
| about Miss Knox?" he repeated. n
she hesitated.
Then she went on, with emotion.
"You know all / said to you the Othe
| iay about Sergeant Lynn. Well, i sa.
! il all STILL but with greater warmth an
| with more hope of favorable reply, fo
now l can confess what you aIread
| know-that i am pleading for my Gaugll
| ter"
Il wonder did not guess it them" h
! remarked. gravely.
But you know it now, and -"u vii
listen to n mothers prayer; you will save
| her from this horrible fate?'
| Il save her-I?
I "Who else? 1t is only you who have
! the power. In the regiment you are O
king, and no one will question what you
command You have only to send hin
| to England-anywhere out of Jane'
/ way
You give me credit for a despotit
sway, and that do not hold. She would
answer, with justice, that had no righ1
to interfere However," he added, quick
ly, as Mrs. KnOx's countenance fell, y
will do what l can. Shall l go to hel
! now?"
! She led the way to the house and into
the drawing room, where, In the center Of
the room. Jane stood, as though expect
! ing his arrival. Her head was erect; bu,
the little hands were tightly clenched
and there was an expression Of defiance
4 in her whole attitude that augured badly
for the success of his mission.
Jane. CAlonA PrinsaR -Aea come II