Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-11-20
CHAPTER XI,

Al
The construction which Captain Dem
had put upon his wife's conversatiot
with her old admirer was a very natura
one. Not for a moment did hiS trust II
her loyalty and truth falter, nor did III
suppose that Major Lnrron had endeav
ored to shake the foundation OF either
but he thought that the latter had Deei
vindicating his past conduct, ana In
judged by Mrs. Dene's agitated deineah"
that she had not listened to him un
moved If so, the hope he had TREASURED
of winning her love at last was furthel
away than ever: indeed, he was not surl
that he had not earned her actual hau
by coming between her and the lover whit
had thus tardily rehabilituted himself il
her esteem.
He paced outside his tent until the liSh
of day-break made the stars grow pale
and gradually fade away. Then he In!
down and slept. 1t seemed to him thr
he was sleeping still as he sat ut earl!
breakfast and heard the gay chatter O
the rest.
This was TO be the day of the Tent Clul
meeting, so they We're all anxious foi
good sport and to start betimes. The foul
Scutlemen-for Colonel Prinsep had
Sreakfasted with them-rode awaJ
abreast. while Mrs Dene and Jane stooc
at the entrance of the tent, watching
them rs they went.
81 hopeI sincerely hope said Mr3
Dene. slowly. that nothing will happen.
There is no danger. is theieE askes
Jane, with scared face.
mo, mol suppose not.
.,They have been out several times be-
fore. and nothing happened?'
True" sighed Mrs. Dene.
She was scarcely conscious of her OWE
,.Iar haf
deed il was too late-whether there might
not be hope yet. Following up hei
thoughts, she went inside the tent, ana
took NJ a looking-glass that lay on tht
table underneath IL vase of flowers; bii'
Il was small and n little dimrned Shs
out il down impatiently, and turned 70
Jane.
II wish I had what you despiscd the
other day. and called vnlghrity, she ex'
claimed.
..What was it? forget"
"Prettiness. l wish l were as pretty ns
you
Jane looked at her thoughtfnlly, nne
did not deliver the prompt protest whicf
perhaps Mrs. Dcne expected.
well. what do you think?' Mrs Dens
asked with a short laugh.
IL don't think you are pretty. But
then" Jane added. hastily. you know
never have thought prettiness a thing te
be desired. Ii is such blank, unmear
ing word, which can be used for nllnoss
anything without misapplication- No
i don't think you are pretty: you ar'
sweet, and elegant" ;.
And dress well. Why don't you caiJ
me a fashion-plate at once" laughed
Mrs Dene. genuinely amused.
zane blushed and laughed, too.
al op, &. buuplpr at description
Colonel Prinsep had Il better word fos
you last night; he said you were inter
esting.' and that is just what l was try
ing to express
Mrs. Dene walked away, smiling. She
had registered a great resolve, and was
only eager to put it into execution Sh&
had determined to put away the reserve
which was growing habitual with her,
and strive TO prove the truth of what they
said: she was going to try to interest hes
husband.
She put on her prettiest gown. not heI
costIicst one-somehow the word "ele'
CANT" Ind rather nettled her. She did
not wish to appear a merely Intelligent
and graceful exponent of the fashions.
but as a living, breathing woman, who
loved her husband as much-as she wish.
ed him to love her.
As she gave parting glance at her mir
eor. she confessed to herself that the case
was not impossible.
Animation had given her naOmentary
beauty. She had forgotten all her fearsa
but as she crossed the ground from hef
dressing tent to the one in which they
usually sat, she saw something which re-
called them with added force.
Colonel Prinsep was gailOping toward
her over the bare madam, and some dis
tance behind him came procession-ol
what she could not guess. for such q
cloud of dust was raised that ii was i'm!
possible to distinguish any object clearlyl
but she feared-even yet she scarcely
knew what she feared. 1t was some
thing too terrible to put into words.
She went to meet him, staggering be-
meath the hot midday sun, and with
hands half outstretched as though she
would wrest the truth from him if needs
be by force.
"What is it," she asked, in a hoarss
whisper
There has been an accident-and we
want you to get everything ready" he
began, trying TO lead her thoughts from
what had already happened to what
might still be done. But he broke down
under her steadfast, agoniZed gaze.
"WhO-who?' she screamed rather
than spoke Then, as his hesitation told
her all, she added in n strangely quiet.
muffied voice-.YOu need not say. l
know-I have known all along. 1t ID
Gerald-it is my husband"
He stared at her helplessly. and was
relieved when the sound of a dress rust
ling over the driedup grass struck upon
his ear. 1t was Jane, who, seeing from
the tent that something unusual had oc@
Cured. FASTENED tC join her friend.
What is it, she asked, in her turn.
and threw her arm round Mrs. Dene's
waist, as though to defend her from the
reply.
To her he could give more circum:
stantiul answer.
1T is Captain Dene, who unfortunate
ty has been wounded. They are bringing
Vim - now"
seriously woundedT asked JAM
quickly, and felt from the pressure o.
Mrs. Dene's hand that she had put thu
question which Mrs. Dene herself woult
have liked to ask, only that she wa
afraid
Il think not-honestly, think not
They have sent for the doctor, and h'
will be here shortly"
Would you like to know how 1t nap
pened = asked Jane. gently, OF Mrs. Dene
and again was answered by faint pres
sure Of the hand .aa-tt- -----------.--I =