Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-11-13
CHAPTER x.

! Il suppose you can see What ID going
on, sir?" said the Adjutant to his Colonel
on the following evening. as both were
dressing for dinner In the tent, which
i, they were sharing still.
II don't know that can, until you tell
me what it Is"
"Why, this infatuation of Major Lar.
ron's for Miss Knox. Every one is talk.
ing about II. You know what a sulky
brute he generally Is: but he seems trans.
formed when he is in her presence.
would not have believed he could have
made himself 50 agreeable as he has dcns
these last few days-to her."
II suppose it would be a good match" :"
said the Colonel, slowly.
IF I had q sister," exclaimed Val
Graeme, hotly, as, STOPPING to the look
ing glass, he struggled with his white tie,
I'D sooner see her in hsf grave than
married to Major Larron!'
Gently, gently, Graems," rsbuked the
Colonel. "You can have no grounds for
such sweeping condemnation"
81 suppose l really have not; but then,
sir, you don't know him as we do. He 10
SO cold. so satirical. l can imagine him
killing his wife by inches-not with
blows, but with chilly words and neg
lect He is gloomy. too!'
IF he is all your fancy has painted him.
there Is not much chance of his suit pros
pering. should say"
But that's just it. Colonel. He is quite
different when with her. How can she
guess that he has only donned these
pleasant qualities for the time being?'
You are making him out a perfect
monster"
$50 he Is" answered the impulsive Ad-
jutant. Remember how he behaved to
Mrs. Dene! Is not that enough to make
us all dislike him?'
How often an incident or a word spoken
by another unawares seems to come in
now, and the COlonels sallow face flushed
at the coincidence as he bowed over the
girls outstretched hand, later In the even
ing.
She was looking very fair that night,
In a simple, high black gown, with deep
white lace falling round her throat, and
a bunch Of white roses in her belt.
Stephen Prinsep, casing down upon her
sunny, ruffled hair, grew confused at his
own thoughts, and for a moment distrait.
When he recovered himself, and was
about to speak, the opportunity was gone
Major Larron had already challenged her
attention, and was talking earnestly In
low voice.
Nothing that Jane could do should make
him relinquish his purpose-only her mar
riage with another should make him lose
hope: and he had no rival yet. That she
cared nothing for Valentine Graeme he
was certain, nor was he sure that the
Adjutant WAS serious in his attentions
He was notoriously a f1irt. not from inten.
ton, but because nature had made him
tickle as well as impressionable.
Meanwhile. the dinner having ended,
Jane unconscious of the interest she had
excited, followed Mrs. Dens out into the
pen. 1t was a baImy evening with no
moon, though the sky was bright with
stars. Coming out of the shamiana,
where it had been brilliantly lighted up,
it seemed darker than 1t really was.
LET US have a campfire" suggested
Mrs. Dene to her husband, who had fol-
lowed.
You will find it very hot and sitting"
at will be more cheerful" she per
sisted.
He shrugged his shoulders, but gave the
order, and a few moments later a bright
log-fire was burning
But the result proved Captain Dene to
be right. The warm wind that was blow
Ing became unbearabls now that 1t was
charged with the heat Of the huge FIRE
and volumes Of binding smoke a. well ~
dust.
The deputy commissioner and Colonel
Grey, with Captain psns, walked away
from It 1t e9eA Rut Ma Dana SoI a2n.